Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1874-02-20
Highways.
A PAPER BY N. G PIERCE.

| lpeloW we give Tue paper anu uiscue-
sion on highways, at the meeting Of the
State Board of Agriculture, at Westmin-
ster.
Mr.. PRESIDENT: | have been request
ed to write a few lines on the subject of
Public Highways. | must say TO you,
as said to the gentleman that made the
request, feel incompetent to write or
say anything to any one, especially be
fore so highly educated and accomplish.
ed body as this board is composed Of
Nevertheless, feeling as do, the impor-
lance of improvement on our public
highways, will try to say something
that may possibly awaken few minds to
the importance Of the fact that some
thing must be done, to improve our pres
ent system of making and improving our
public highways. have noticed for
years the insufficiency of the working of
the present system of making and re-
pairing our public highways. Observa-
ton shows great lack of interest 10 the
appointment of our highway surveyors,
nominations being made by our select
men without much regard to the qualifi.
cation of the man to secure a good road,
or one that will be likely to lessen the
expense, and the result is general dissat-
isfaction by all who have occasion to
travel upon our roads. There is money
enough provided, if properly laid out, to
put our highways in good condition. The
The money provided is generally, most
prodigally expended The ambition OF
the surveyor seems to be to cross out the
tax bill, and the tax payer is usually
ready to say amen. Fifty dollars in the
hands of good, j.dicious man, one who
is well adapted to the business of MAX
ing roads, would be worth more than
one hundred dollars, spent under the
present system of highway surveyors.
The town of Westminster raises annually.
by tax, rom $1,000 to $1400, which is
put into the hands of about thirty sur
veyors. The money is spent and the
highways not half repaired. Complaints
are made to the selectmen by those who
have occasion to travel over our roads,
selectmen order the surveyors to repair
roads and bring in bills. The last part
of the order is generally l might say
perhaps, always obeyed. Orders are
drawn upon the treasury of the town I;
and the question is for about how much ?
| will answer this according to the best
information that l have access to have
not consulted the records) which is from
the selectmen. The extra Expense amounts
to from 5000 to $4,000, which would
be an annual average of $500, and
which, together with the usual tax, is
$3.50. This may be little above the
average annual amount expended on our
highways in Westminster. We come to
the conclusion at once, that this sum is
sufficient, if judiciously expended, to put
public highways in good travelling con
dition in this town. Permit me here to re
mark, | would not be understood to say
that Westminster is any more at fault thar
other towns. What is true of this town
is applicable to many of the towns il
this State. By persuing this course un
der the old system of surveyors, we are
travelling upon poor roads, getting bac
reputation, mourning suits at law-anC
some of them very expensive, and some
times unexpectedly decided against us
Now let us bring our public highway
up to that standard of perfection tina
we will gain such reputation for goot
roads that jurors will hesitate long be
fore they find damages against us OIL
account of insufficiency of highways
And another reason for lettering GU
roads the times demand better road
than formerly. People think quicker
move quicker, and everything is expect
ed TO move with rapid motion. Gu
roads must be put in condition to re
ceive all this rapid movement. thin
that we must coneede the fact that on
E public highways are very far behind th
, times. Well, what is the remedy
do not feel fully competent to answer tn
+ question. Iexpect others to answerit. Sti
o l am free to say that the commissions
: system would be preferable to the pre-
q ent, of highway surveyors. Three me
are better than thirty. Let US sele,
three men of judgment, of care, me
. who would take pride in putting OIL
q highways in nice condition for trave
4 ling purposes, and men of prudence al
a. economy, men well adapted to the bu:
}. ness we may mistake our men, and
e will be best for US to watch them closel
n If we have selected those who are i
n capacitated to do the work, let us cham
,e them as soon as possible. When we fiji
=. we have the right men in the right plac
~ =