The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1916-12-13
PEN|NC SPEECH
Din Harvey's Address to.
The Ozark Trail
4 I'LL Convention

elegates to the ozark Trails conven-
ton
| first want to compliment the citi
ns of Oklahoma City for the progres
We and enterprising manner in which |
en- have assisted ID promoting our
use and in handling the local ar
ngements for this convention Also
thank you all for the generous 60
Jeration received in the six states
oN included in our work And espe
ally do | wish to recognize the help
Id loyal support of the newspapers.
This is the fifth convention held
Ilder the auspices OF our organi2a
ion including the meeting in 1913 at
which il was founded. Under the
rules of our Association the member
ship holds control Of the conventions
and am ex-offcio chairman. We do
this that We may better work ont and
get results, educational and practical
that viii justify you, many coming a
long distance to attend our conven
tions. That may have the more time
to cooperate in the work Of the con
yention | win call on some one TO
assist me as your presiding officer
The time has passed for academic
discussions fayorng good roads The
people now agree as to their desira-
bility and necessity A convention
such as this formerly discussed and
adyocated the advantages Of good
road. That Is not now necessary
we have taken a step forward and the
subjects that now claim our attention
are How to Promote. Ways and
Means! How to Construct The
Economy OF Construction! These are
The practical questions that need our
attention. Their solution will more
or less, hasten our success.
Promotion.
Promotion comes first in order In
all the counties in our proposed terri
tory the people are able TO build the
desired roads il they viii do so. The
time spent in dleness, and money
used in vain and foolish ways can
be. more or less. concentrated on road
building when the people have thf
desire to do so True happiness may
be found in promoting and assistinl
in a common purpose for the welfare
Of all. The primitive and elementary
lessons for promoting better gov
ernment and a better civilization, arr
IA part Of our subject. The road over
seer who has secured his office 10
the purpose Of furthering MS selhsl
ends and who, through lack Of chaI
lacter and efficiency gives the taN
payer three dollars worth OF woll
furf each len dollars turned over 4
him by his fellow citizens, or q sum
IN results. less than he should ghr
Il a bad citizen and is discoarasih
nopular government The same ma
be said OF the county commissioner
county Judge, or other officer who's
duties connect him with road Nofs
And THIS type Of men are the pfolt
types of like class of men who ma
occupy official positions In county
state and nation When their inill
ence dominates in natiqn pucklni
not appreciating and neglectine n
common good, such nation become
corrupt weakens and falls Free go
ernments have thus perished In tn
nast And such selfishness, reckless
ly disregarding the common good. COZ
tinued results in few owning a
the money. property and opportunitif
land then comes social disorder o
preston. despotism and degenera'
people,
So. in promoting good roads. one
the branches of the common good, y
do best by teaching the elemental
principle of character, of good 20
ernmont and of civilization. The tl
purpose of government is The prom
tion and development Of better n
man race As success comes in carr
ing out that purpose there will con
with il improved conditions, more ha
piness. broader minds. sentiments u
will create constructive genius. lea
ling :, the solution of all problems tn
stand in the way Of the perfect hapl
hes of mankind; and the making
q noble race Of people
Man serves himself best by prone
ine the Common Good! When I
people as a whole do not see THIS q
the common good is neglected and !
luosed on. the human race becom
stunted physically, mentally q
morally. The man who gives o. |
Nltime or his money, or bolh, 70 pul
ling a road is learning why Il Is p
Ito build good character, to ballu
good government He is also learn
the secret that leads to happine
There is no such thing as real nap
ness without having the desire TO y
mote better civilization The N
without this desire Is impairing
character and dwariing his soul. !
kame i true Of woman. The des
.to promote better civilization Is
Ikey With which one can open the d'
Ito the Temple in which is stored
tltreasures Of character
F in a government Of industrious
/ Inle depressed by social and econoI
/ lerrors and evils. IL one IS stranded.
lcannot ignore the Law Of self.presef
~ d,r do iittle IA pTOn
/ Jtbe common good, but eorrespo