Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-01-19
VERMONT PHOENIX.
Brattleboro, Friday, Jan. 10, IS40.
Plank Roads.


in New York and the Western States, and some
of our contemporaries in this State are very zeal
Gus advocates Of their introduction here. Hav-
ing some acquaintance with their operation and
practical results, We can very cordially join IN
the Communications bestowed upon them; and
for the purpose Of informing and Interesting our
readers therein, VIC publish on our first page a
letter written by Ihos. L. Alsord, Esq, which
gives a full and detailed history Of Flank Roads,
the mode and cost OF construction, and their adj
vaniages and profits. MIR Al'ord has been
pioneer IN the introduction OF Flank hoads' and
shows thorough ana practical acquaintance
with the whole subject
The mountainous character OF this State would
seem to forbid the general introduction OF Plank
Roads, and this IS to considerable extent true,
but the fi'ers and valleys offer more or less IA
cilities for their construction in probably every
county.
From this place, there is at least one route
offering grca; facilities for such road, which is
worthy Of consideration by our citizens, and by
those residing on the line Of it. We refer to
merston, Newiano' Brookline, Townshend, and
Londonderry, TO Wes'on-Rnd tie west branch
OF u running ihroogh Marisboro to Siraiton'
This IS not only an easy route for building
FLANK Road bu' II rs the outlet Tor large ex-
tent oil country anu frea, thoroughiarc.
The road to ii'nsdale and Winchester, If We
have correct 'dea oil the surface OF the coun-
n.y. ana perhaps some other avenues IRON tins
place. present favorable circumstances Tor the
construction Of RANK Roads
The West River road seems TO u.s. however
the most feasible and We recommend to the IN
haOliahs o' Tue towns on INC inc oil That road,
or adjoining IT. 10 make themselves acquainted
WIN the 'ae'A ana ''"'eme"" Of the letter OF MI
AiSord. we aafise mem 10 lay II aside Tor in'
iure reference There IS st present no law foI
incorporating companies Of this kind. Some
general law will probably be passed BY The next
General Assembly. and. we shall then bring the
subject again TO their notice. In the tnenu,ime
we present il as a subject for con,er,a,ion. dis
cussion and examination.
We invite their consideration Of the business
cnnncitv Of a plank. over a common road II
upon a plank road. as Mr. Alvord asserts. team
will draw three time. (be make. il fnur ,;me.'
the weight il can on a gravel road. what woul,
be the actual saving n ccs, Of transportation?
Some pcrson, doubt the ,iili, Of such a ron,
here. because the nature Of the .oil i. such as Il
make good roads. This !, undoubtedly An ad
vantage which we posses over some other State,
but there are many places. even on the Yves
River road, where. owing to sand or other Oh
.iruction.. the road is alwa,, lad. and iupassa
Die for heavily loaded team. Bu, If IL were Al
and always eoual 10 the hest mari Of Il, i. il no
true that making il n plapk road would nd,
three fold to il. ranaci,,
Thor. Il ,,o,Lor ,,,,,o.,;o,, ,,hi,t, o,r ,,,,,,
crs and rhaa.s in the eoup,r,, will undcrs,uo.
tho value Of hssts- than We. Ia sone Seasons o
the year, especially in the spring and fall, al
roads arc bad and quite impraeiicable even fol
emp,! teNns At such seasons Of the year, WheT