The Lexington progress. (Lexington, Tenn.) 1884-current, 1921-01-28

dream without road leading to It,.
Ways and means of easy transporta-
tion is most effective cure for the
discomfort that comes to the boys and
girls of the rural districts as the re-
suit of enforced isolation. The barrier
that exists between the town and the
country can not be removed without
closer communication between the
people of the town and country and
there can be no adequate communica-
ton without ways and means of
transportation.
"Roads that are built ought to be
built for the accommodation of the
greatest number of people. Since the
people at last must pay for the con-
struction of all roads, all roads should
be constructed with their convenience
in view regardless of whether or not
the route to the objective point is d.
rect or circuitous.
Good Roads.
"If we grant that good roads con-
stitute one of the most distinguishing
marks Of civilization because essential
thereto, we may well deduce the con
clusion that civilization is inseparable
from and implies good roads. Thus,
even without the information of his
tory, we can infer hiatt all the great
ancient civilizations from earliest
times, even from prehistoric times,
were associated with good roads in
their respective domains. OF all these,
the Roman civilization was the most
distinguished for good roads. They
radiated from the Eternal City" like
the spokes of wheel Their ramifi-
cations made a network of Italy.
Modern France, Germany Eng
land, and Belgium, Switzerland and
most of the other European states
have fine systems of enduring good
foads. With all of our natural resour-
ces, our illimitable wealth, our scien-
tific attainments, our enterprise, our
skill and ingenuity, in manufacturers
and in all the utilitarian arts, our ire
mendous population, our vast are and
glorious climate, and above all, our
free institutions, why should we
Americans permit the old civilizations
.ofidead and forgotten ages to excel
Jus M one agx 10 isspogtant es-
septlals to riyiliza eSs good roaus!
gle Very thstgbt Ought to bring a.
'vfdShieg saslse Of humiliation to the
citRenrysof the country.
me operation Of government is
to a Very large extent, a business en-
terprise, and the same economical
principals apply to it as apply to that
Of an individual and we all know that
when an individual allows his expen-
ditures to exceed his income disaster
will ultimately follow. AS an incident
to the world conflict, and due to other
causes, in the administration of gov
ernmental affairs we have not always
counted the cost. The end has been
considered without taking into consid-
GRAFTON the means to the end. Con-
sequently the operating expenses have
far outrun the operating income. To
this end that all useless positions be
abolished; that extravaganza in all de-
paNtments be ended and that there be
no lost motion in the functioning Of
the states business, your attention is
directed to the legislative work before
US and your cooperation is earnestly
requested. So
Il need not tell you that to carry out
any sort of a program for the adj
vaneement ofgrural education and the
establishment of public highways-it
is essential to have revenue, nor is it
necessary to suggest that such reve-
nue. viii have to be obtained through
some process of taxation. To meet
and solve the problem of taxation in
Tennessee is the most difficult task
that will confront you.
I'VE come here instructed and
pledged to contribute our best ener-
gies and abilities toward the forma-
ton of taxing system that viii
equally distribute the burdens of tax
alton. Whatever may be your indi-
vidual opinion in the matter, and
whatever theory you may have in
mind, the verdict has been rendered
that the laws now on the books are
unsatisfactory to a majority of the
people of Tennessee.
Tax Equalization.
1T has been my observation that
people do not object to the payment Of
taxes necessary to the carrying for
ward of all measures Of progress and
advancement, provided that such tax
es are equally distributed and wisely