Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-06-06
PLANK ROADS.

PLANK ROADS.
The following is encouraging. Vermont
ers are slow and faithless, too-but they
will come up to the work with all the rest Of
the world-a little behind, perhaps:
From the NY. Courier an. Enquirer.
The Plank Road Sysfem has become SO
generally extended in the Western part OF
this State that its growth is matter oil
wonder and of Interest. or all improves
menis. it combines TO the greatest extent
cheapness in construction, and direct aud
Immediate benefits. So much has the sub
ject become one of interest and importance,
that we think an inquiry into IFS merits and
dement's, not only useful but necessity
We use the term dement's not with any idea
of making this class of road appear i'll a
ddpted to the public want-but rather from
recoIlecling that in the infancy Of all I'M
provements, there is tnuch TO be unlearned
and reformed. This, however. we mus,
defer for the present. In the interim COR
respondent has laid before letter from
one of the leading men in Cleveland-hold-
ing high Municipal ctIice-of acknowl-
edged ability and repute.
The inhabitants of the east of this State
would do well to look into the results which
have accrued from Plank-Roads. This ac-
count from Ohio may lead to rejection,
which it is our intention further to assist in
two or three issues:
CLEVELAND. April 29th. 1850.
MY DEAR SIg In reply to the qies-
tons you asked me, concerning the effect
which the Plank Roads, leading into CIeve-
land, have OH the lands through which they
pass, and on the property, generally, in this
City and State, | will state, that, owing to
the fact that our roads were only commence
ed last summer, aud have not yet peuelrat-
ed into the interior but a short distance,
their effect is but very imperfec,ly develop
ed; but the change already produced Oh the
lines of the road, even beyond the point to
which they are at present finished, is really
wonderful. Property readily changes hands;
people have commenced to build in antIci-
patton of the progress Of the Road, and |
know of land in large tracts, though the
country was comparatively new, readily
bringing double what it was sold for six
months previous to the location of the Plank
Road-upon the county road already run
ming near the premises.
consider the average increase in price of
land adjoining the Road (and owing to that
improvement only at about 30 per cent.
when the common price ranges from 81 To
$50 per acre.
You will also agree with me, think, ia
the opinion that our three plank roads have
exeried strong influence towards produce
ing the large increase IN the value Of real
estate, which has taken place during the
past year throughout our city. Still, the
advantages gained by the country, which.
by means of plank roads, is enabled, at all
times, aud in all weather, TO send its pro-
duce to market at less than one half the u
sual expense over mud roads and steep hills,
is comparatively greater than TO large
10 yns.
1t was difficult here at first, as it is al
most everywhere, TO induce those interest
ed to subscribe literally (or even at ally TO
forward that class of improvements; for
three or four years, nothing could be done
one said the roads would not pay interest
another, that they would shortly rot out, &c
&c. These objections have now all van
ished, and the subscription list OF any FEAST
bic plank road company is immediately fill
ed up. Ii is fact, they are by far the best
paving stocks we have. These remarks are
founded upon an experience of about one
wear, in this region. West us, in Huron
county, where The inhabitants have compile
ted more lines, and used them some two
years, learn that the effect is the same on
property, and the stocks pay from lS to 25
per cent. in cash, clear.
Within the past year, the desire for plank
roads has increased in this State to such Il
degree that the tables of the Ohio Legisla-
ture were literally loaded with applications
for new charters. About forty-nlne bills
were passed-making some seventy or
eighty in the State. Next winter, a gener-
al law will undoubtedly be passed, under the
provisions of which all companies can or
ganize.
The usual rate Of tolls in this State, so
far as can learn, is about two cents per
mile for two horse loaded vehicles or pleas
ure carriages, and one cent per mile for I'M
loaded two horse, or one horse vehicles
four horse stages, believe, pay about three
cents per mile. Plank roads are destined
to become the most popular improvement OF
the day. With respect,
Yours, &c.