Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 June 1892 — GOOD COUNTRY ROADS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

GOOD COUNTRY ROADS.

A GREAT ADVANTAGE TO ALL COMMUNITIES. laving the Labor of Draught Animals, They Would Expedite the Marketing of ' All Commodities—How They Should Be Constructed and Maintained. An Important Subject. Quite a good deal of space has already been given to the subject of good country roads, but, as there is nothing more deserving of attention than the condition of the public roads of our country, further. discussion of a matter so important is surely not out of place. Good roads are a potent factor in the material, intellectual, moral, and social well-being of a people, apd any plan for their systematic improvement should meet with the hearty 00-operation of all, without regard to class or occupation. Perhaps nothing has contributed so much,toward the civilization of the people of the earth as commerce has. The barriers of old ocean have long since disappeared. The east, west, north and south of a continent are no longer known, except in the happy interchange of the, products of each. The perseverance and skill of man have practically removed the barriers that old ocean Interposed. The same forces that have brought nearer to each other the people

of any one of the vast continents of earth have checkered its broad expanse with the arteries of trade. By this means man has been and is being educated in the truth, that the interests of all men of all nations of the earth are interwoven. The welfare of the whole family of nations is dependent upon the weal of each, which, in turn is reflected from the condition of its individual members. Advantage, of Good Road*. Through this Influence of trade the nations arrfvfe at a bettor understanding one with another. We think we are justified in believing that the dawn is fast approaching when nations will make war no more, but-“ Peace on earth, good-will toward men,” will rule instead. What these great improvements that make commerce possible between nations are doing, good roads would facilitate between the people of any country or community. They are not only an evidence of civilization but a means to that end. Attendance at church would be more regular, and whatever tends to promote the assembling of friends and neighbors in pleasant intercourse is a factor for good. The ride to chutch, to a neighbor’s, or to a social gathering, either on a bioycle or other vehicle over good roads, would become a pleasure easily acquired and highly prized. If, instead of being subjected to the almost superhuman task of walking through muddy roads, or of jolting over them when made exceedingly rough by freezing, we ha.d smooth, hard roads to drive over, churches, schools, literary societies, lyceums, and all the kindred institutions intended to christianize and better the condition of man .would be more numerous. Society would then be benefited by the advanced measures adopted lor -improvement of the mind, the Of .the intellect, and the promotion of happiness. Good roads would, aiflpng farmers especially, promote sociability oreate a desire for self-improvement, both moral and intellectual. The thousands of persons confined to

Indoor work in factories, offices, stores, etc., need recreation and In this they have comparatively little time to indulge; but with good roads this time could be used to the best advantage in btcyele, horseback, or buggy riding. Commercial Benefits. Among the comiaerpiaf afforded bv good roads wp note: The ; rapidity, ease and' convenience of transportation at small exgen&B^. The opportunity afforded ; , wiose remote bom commercial points to take advantage of the market without great loss of rime. The possibility of conveying a great weight with'- a ‘ comparatively small amount bf pdwer.-vt, Obviating the fluctuations of prices on account of a rush of products to market when the roads are good, to be followed by* scdisity when the sosads. are bad, as traffic is often delayed for weeks at a rime. Good roads rank as one of the foremost causes of increasing the value of property. The uninterrupted means of traffic is-alone sufficient to cause an increase of 60 per cent.; incidentally building good roads increases facilities lor drainage, which progressive farmers will admit is of itself of almost incalculable benefit. Good roads would encourage and increase some of our most important and extensive industries. foe manufacturing of bicycles would be increased by them until it would nmk as one of our foremost industries, both in extent and value. Asofebec. Important industry would be developed to an extent and; value of VidßMi few have any conception— i. e., ffM manufacturing of carriages and other jMfct vehicles, which are practically of HM* value except on good roads. Even

now it forms one of the grbffo lti&hstrles of our country, the further development of which materially depends on the improvement of our country roifds. The material benefit derived from good roads can scarcely be estimated. The farmers undoubtedly would be the most benefited. Making a fair estimate of the number of horses necessary to furnish power to carry on agriculture,

and all other work connected with It, we find that the fanners of the United States are keeping at least 2,000,000 more horses than would be necessary to perform the same work if we had good roads. These horses have a value of about $150,000,000, and are sustained at an expense of nett less than $110,000,000 annually. Besides this, the necessary number of horses are idle a month or more in a year, waiting for the roads to become dryj This costs, at the least calculation’, $140,000,000. To this we may add $100,000,000 for Increased wear and tear on harness, wagons and other vehicles. This makes the sum of $500,000,000 loss to the farmers annually under the present condition of roads. Good roads will save this $500,000,000, and would increase the value of the farmers’ land at least $1,500,000,000, which makes an increase of $2,000,000',000 in the financial condition of the farmers alone. To this we may add as much more as the increased financial condition of those 'engaged in other industries. This makes the immense sum of $4,000,000,000, which is sufficient to construct 500,000 miles of smooth, hard and durable road. Draining the Hoads. The drainage of a road Is a very important part fn its construction. Both sides should be perfectly drained, either by ditches or tile (tile are the best), and an occasional oroas drain is beneficial. This will prevent the softening of the roadbed, thereby making the surfaoe uneven. .In order that no moisture whatever jriay remain on the roaJftbed it is essential that it 1 should not be shaded. All particles of water which would otherwise remain would be evaporated and leave a perfectly dry surface. Tq secure good roads needs only the hearty co-operation of all to Whom they would be beneficial. The State, being the largest body politic that cognizance of such matters, should through its Legislature formulate a plan for the systematic improvement of the roads of the State, whioh plan should require

the co-operation of the several counties, each to pay a fair share of the burdens imposed, according to the benefits derived from the improvement. In constructing a road a careful survey of tho tract, including the relative levels of the different parts, is a nebessary preliminary in order to make a bed nearly level. What is the best method of constructing a road is a muoh debated question, but perhaps no better road can be made than one constructed of stone. In case that stone cannot be procured, vitrified brick, the manufacture of which has been recently established, may be substituted with nearly if not quite as good results, as they are made in all sizes and shapes necessary to requirements in road-making. The roadbed should be from sixteen to thirty feet wide, as may be required to accommodate the traffic, and thoroughly graded, 60 as to be slightly higher in the middle !than on the sides; this would shed all water, but should not be inclined enough to obstruct traffic on any part of its width. After grading, a foundation a foot or more in thickness, according to the kind of soil upon which it is laid, should be made of large, irregular, Insoluble Btone. Upon this should be placed a layer of crushed stone, not more than an inch in any dimension, to a thickness of from four to six inches. These small stones will ffll the spaces between the large ones, and will m a short time become pressed into a solid, smooth, nonporous mass. Such a road cafandt be softened by water or cracked by frost. The use of convict labor for constructing roads, as is now proposed in some of the States, would make these burdens comparatively light. To secure the blessings of good roads the matter should be agitated among the people. Meetings

should be held, especially among the farmers; committees should be appointed to w;ait upon the proper authorities—the County Commissioners and the State -legislators—with the view of enlisting the power of these offieers in the good work, which, once commenced in a manner commensurate with its .importance, Would’ve pushed forward In a way-char-acteristic of our people. Bad roads would soon be a thing of the past. We have now comprehended the broad

advantages and effects that good roads would have upon every branch of industry, the relation to the good of the country, and in behalf of civilization, Christianity, education, posterity, and all that tends to improve, elevate and make better. We should use all our energy in earnestly endeavoring to secure them.

AS IT GENERALLY IS.

AS ; IT SHOULD BE.

A FAMILIAR SIGHE.

ABANDONED IN THE HUD.

THE FARMER’S SLOUGH.