Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-01-09
WESTMINSTER FARMERS CLUE.


this subject, no one plan has yet been sug-
gested that fully meets with acceptance
Under the present system, our roads are in
poor repair, and ely to remain so. High
way surveyors fail to manage 10 advantage
or to interest themselves in their business.
The roads are full of brush and stones, and
bitches, that ought to be outside, not in the
center of the road. Loaded teams rut the
roads aud no one makes ii their business to
ill them. There is a fearful expense oc-
casioncd by the lack Of responsibility aud
much complaint is justly made by our tax
payers. Every thing connected with the
present system tends t. expend Il great
amount of money, and leave our roads in
would improve our roads and our profits.
w. R Kmball-This is one Of tie most
important questions ever before the club.
That our roads are in poor repair and Our
money poorly expended is evident. Men
are not faithful 10 their trust, laborers are
seldom on time, and ma " Of them unwill-
ing to work after having their own time to
commence. Think we bad better try a
ne" system. If it fails to give satisfaction
we can return 10 tue Uid ono ar try a third.
u. G.. Wright--In my experience in re-
pairing highways, l have observed that
great amount OF labor is performed 10 no
practical benefit. | think that by a proper
Management our roads could be kept in
better condition with thrce-fourlhs of the
money now expended.
p. y. Keyes-It appears to me that mon
ey enough has been expended TO put our
roads in better repair. One half the money
ought, l believe, TO improve our high
ways. If men managed "a they manage
for tbems,lve, our present system would
serve to better purpose. By appointing
commissioners, l am confident that our
roads could be put in better repairs with
less money.
NJ. W. Davis-Poor roads are poor repre-
sensations Of enterprise. Experience has
taught us that human lie is ieoplrdizpd by
their neglect, aud that business suffers in
proportion. The shirt of the age is at 3
minute gate and tho community has a right
TO demand better roads. We have a right
TO travel faster than formerly, and to de.
mand roads for the purpose. We must
change our system. None OF US believe in
the one one. I'll bind myself TO keep our
roads in bettef repair than formerly for
less than half the money expcndel by the
present system. The fact that mcn get
along so easily Is the reason WIZ 50 few
towns have adopted the new system. What
shall we do? We can't get out of the old
notion! Men cling 10 Old systems.
should like to see an experiment tried on
our highways, if but 70, n single year.
believe we can improve oar roads hy adopt
ing the new system.
y. G. Pierce Much of the failure in our
present syst m is attributed to highway
survevcrs. Some e item are IN fault it is
true. yet they would with more experience
serve 10 better advantage.
Charles Fisher Of Walpoe In response
to the i vita;ion exieDiel, it may perhaps.
be proper for mo to relate few facts in
connection with the subject, and present
some proofs in support the new system
OF repairing highways. In 1862 The PEOPLE
o! Walpu'e received t. try the new system.
They purchased n machine for working
highways ard lhoIgh it did not serve to
our satisfaction VIC were satisfied that some
thing of the kind was needed. Soon ailer,
we purchased two improved machines and
used them to good advantage. In the town
OF AckwOrth where these machines have
been used the people arc well pleased with
their work and claim that single machine
performs tue work OF from 10 to IL men.
The roads in the vicinity orStafTord Springs
Conn, where these machines arc manufact-
ured, are much superior TO ours. Tue poo.
pie of Walpole are now well satisfied that
these machines pay. They adapt them.
selves to n. l.. soil, and leave the roads
sloping from the centre TO the ditch as they
should. The machine costs about sI5 and
Westminster. Not feeling quito satisfied
with the amount of strength required 10
work one Of these machines, have put
in use one OF my own models that works
much easier and faster. One man tends II
and can ride most Of the time. Roads
should be worked in June.
Pierce-If those machines are what Mr..
Fisher represents think we hal better
purchase one or more and try the expert
ment.
Chas. Flsher-If you should purchase
machine you had better appoint commits.
sioners TO take charge oft.
o. L. Fisher-Ir there is any better meth
cd than our old one land there ought TO bel
let us adopt 1t.
Samuel CObb-If there is a machine that
will repair our highways, aud at the same
time allow us to ride, we had better pur-
chase one.
o. F. Peck-I am confident that by APP
pointing commissioners we could improve
the condition of our highways and with
less money than formerly expended.
ii. a. Willard-I believe that our pres.
enl highway system is all wrong. Our
road tax is a heavy one 10 pay when we
consider Ihs benefits derived. The ma
chine described by Mr.. Fisher recommends |
itself highly and would. think, serve TO |
a good advantage IN this town. No one
will probably refuse TO serve as a commits |
sioner, If he can ride and draw good nav
for his time. Think we bad better adopt |
The new system.
Davis-I wish We could put an express
sion back ofall this talk, and if the men,
bers present are ready TO vote, move that |
all those In favor of the new system make |
1t manifest by rising.-The vote was IMAM
imous, over thirty members being present. |
Mr.. Fisher then exhibited model of his |
machine before the club which met with |
much favor. Adjourned two weeks to
meet with Joseph Clark. subject: Re-
solved, that The success Of ayr calture dc.
Ponds wholly upon adaptation, ]