Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1869-01-15
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We call the attention of the citizens OF
Brattlcboro and Windham county general
ly, to the following sensible and suggestive
article which we copy from the Greenfield
Gazette and Courier of Dec. 2lst and which
is as applicable here as at Greenfield:
1t is very easy matter to ascertain the
cost Of good road, and then by counting
tho average number of teams passing per
day, make a fair estimate of what might be
saved by better one, not only in
amount drawn per load, but in the less
wear of wagons, harnesses and horses. 1t
will almost always be found that the loss to
the community by poor roads is at least
four times the interest on the cost OF put
ting them into good condition. 1t will be
understood that the amount of expense to
be applied will vary with different locali-
ties, certain public thoroughfares needing
far more expense than those leading into
them. Good roads improve the value of
farms by which they run, often as much as
$40 or Sl2 per acre, for where produce can
be drawn to market for one-half the ex-
pense that is required on other roads, the
land becomes more valuable in conse-
quence. Tho saving in time, and wear of
carriages, when travelling for business or
pleasure, becomes a very appreciate item
of expense
II it were necessary that our highways
should be as poor AS they are now in most
parts Of Franklin County, Greenfield not
exempt, it would be our duty patiently to
submit to the inconvenience, but when we
consider that we do not use one half of the
expense we could, profitably, and the half
which is used is fully one-half wasted by
being improperly applied, patience ceases
to boa virtue, and it is time to listen to the
grumbling tones of our carriages as they
go bounding over ruts and stones, and OBJ
serve the helpless looks of our poor, worn
out horses while they YEARLY drag Their
intolersbe burdens over rocks and
sloughs, miscaled road. Many people
love to ride in good carriages, costing from
$500 to 81 900, but good carriage on a poor
road IL almost az much out of place as il
would be drawing stones or manure. Has
life any greater misery than being dragged
solemnly along ten or fifteen miles through,
not over, our bottomless apologies for roads?
The rule in making roads should be, not
how little can be done, and have the public
and County Commissioners endure it, but
how much can be done upon them and rem
der the cost expended in construction a
profitable investment to the public.
Before going into the subject of road
making itself, let us enter a remonstrance
against the common way of appointing
highway surveyors. The usual plan is by
rotation, in which the experience gained in
season by the Surveyor is lost, for some
equally inexperienced isappointed the next
year, who undocs considerable portion of
what was done the year before, and pro-
ceeus Win the work without proper exam
nation or knowledge. The truth is, road
making istrested with studied neglect by the
public. The following, we think, would
De great Improvement upon the common
method I; Let the inhabitants of the town
or district meet and fully discuss how good
the road in their district should DO. Let
thom carefully examine how much they
lose each year by the poor roads thew are
using, and fix upon a standard which they
nioah 'heir roads shall come up to. Let va
rious propositions be offered in regard to
the manner in which certain portions shall
DE repaired, then unite upon tho appoint
meht OF the most intelligent, energetic and
capable man in the district for five wears
Alter receiving the appointment in this
manner, no would feel the Importance OF
giving tho subject his careful attention
The road would be well examined; works
upon road making would be consulted and
he would fix very nearly upon the Dos
manner OF repairing it. His interest woult
increase every year. He would feel a sor
OF personal responsibility in the matter
ana we ~ 'x-payors ourselves, woul,
look at the subject with new and large
views, and the effect no doubt would b.
rapidly seen in the improved condition q
tho roads. Errors 90 mmittod this yea
would be abandoned next, and the subiec
would be ono of regular and systemati
business. All this could be done withou
any change in our laws. The two nrea
idea- Of good scrviceable highway ar
hardness and snoothness. In district
whore large travel is common, roads {
broken stone will be found the best an
the most economical When of suitabl
size and correctly applied they will unit
and consolidate into one mass, almost Il
solid as the original stone, with smootl
hard surface. by having the foundatio
formed Of small stones or gravel. stone
may DO placed ON end, with the small on
uppernost, the largest ones in tho middl
of tho road, forming sort of arch. On
inch In thirty is about the proper elevatio
of good stone road. If the road is fiftee
feet wide, tho middle should be about ii
inches higher than the sides. Broken stor
or gravel may be used on tho top of tn
pavement OF stones, which will wedge int
the places left by the small ends of II
stones, and thus effectually prevent thei
from rising to tho surface, as they almo
invariably do II thrown in without any a
rangement, and stone thus placed with Il
small end uppermost, will give POUNDS
ton with a firmer base for road tina
when composed wholly OF broken stone
besides being much cheaper. But in larl
portions Of this county they are far too 81