Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-10-07
J. MghvaIs and Bridges.

ta'f Haichmdn & Journai.
Ne election Of representative In Irasburg
I'm was made and vote taken 10 instruct GU
rei ahgs Ito favor such changes in IN,
Vermont as would cause all persons VIII,
I,st % bridges In the state, 10 do so at the
y u T. The incentive 30 this motion, and THU
mis .iuous vote vas doubtless, owing TO the FAC
Una. sithna few weeks the selectmcn have settled
e'ala ii' damage, that was in court, by paying
A&sTl hun'lred and Ave dollars.
~ car ago the town paid to one man
$500, aniNbttvecn that time aud this there has
been, snndsiehrd In between these large sums,
many small snnA and in most Of these Gases care.
less driving, defective harness or vehicle, were AZ
prols hle causes A. defective highways The ox-
perieie e " irasourgh is not unlike that Of many
other towns. We know ola case where 81. 900 was
paid g lady WHO was riding in binding snow
storm, aitlnT N alsinglc sleigh that was loaded
Into another high-posted railroad or box sleigh
The mad was Icy, the load overturned etc We
also know Of u case where 500 was paid to man
who WIS riding on load 81 goods in boxes, and
was looking back in the road at another team A
depression caused the wagon to lurch, and sent
the man flying Almost every town has liz ex-
periencc Unframed horses, unskilhil driving
and the darkness Of night, OF defective equlpage
can hardly save a town II driver, horse, harness
or carriage receives damage
In the minds u some drivers as they dash
along, is constantly the idea that whatever is
damaged L. well sold, and In most cases il ap-
pear 10 be true
In the minds Of selectmen the idea Is gaining
place that 1t is better 10 settle by paying many
times the damage than to go 10 law" No one ex-
poets that an injured party will set the damage at
a reasonable sum, especially II the damaged one
has conferred with lawyer
There Is great ado and quite reasonable CONF
plant against honorable men styled salary grab
beers, - but let the most n,bd bowler get hurt by
driving his stumbling horse along the highway,
and then go to him to settle the damage and
you would find such an appreciation Of body
time and brain that would put the salary grab IN
blush. The damage lrisburgh settled for 81, sos
was estimated in the suit at $1,000
1t is not alone in driving that accidents arise.
The foot passengers that slip and stumble ON side
walk, and CUTTERS, and on sluice-Ways and bridges,
suddenly feel their mortal coil beginning to un-
coil, and they claim damages from the town
No one disputes that persons are hurt but in
many cases the town is not to blame, and the
damage is set too high
II the towns are relieved Of the fear Of paying
damages, will the roads be kept In repair? They
certainly will be as well cared for as at present
The roads were originally made by the citizens Of
the towns for their own use and accommodation
They are repaired annually according to the skill
of the citizens, the money 10 be expended, and the
probable amount Of travel there will be upon them.
However severe the laws may he, the above rules
will govern. Montpelier would not pave every
back road in town, although there Is skill To do IL
but the earth road is good enough for the travel,
while Main and State streets should be paved. The
needs and common sense Of the citizens will al
ways guide them, as it now guides them.
II a law Is passed, rs doubtless there will be,
that all persons who use the roads and bridges
will do 50 at their own risk, there remains this
liberty for every man, or three men, who know n
road or bridge is badly out Of repair, to complain
To the county grand jury. The town is then adj
monshed to "mend its ways" This privilege
might be extended that the assistant judges
and town grand jurors could receive complaints
and act upon them at all times, and whatever
fines were imposed, should be worked out upon
the highways thus out OF repair
I.Mua.G