Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-02-20
OUR HIGHWA Y SYSTEM.
ny N. O. PIERCE.

OUR HIGH VA Y SfS1EA.
ny N. O. PIERCE.
Tread al the meeting OF the State Board
of Agriculture at Westminster, Feb. 10 and
IL, 1Sz4.l
Mr.. President II have been requested
to write few lines on the subject OF Pub
lie Highways. must say to you, as said
to tho gentleman who made tho request,
1 feel incompetent TO write or say any thing
TO any one, and especially before so highly
educated and accomplished a body as this
board is composed of. Nevertheless, feel
ing, as do, the importance Of improve
ment on our public highways, will try 10
say something that may possibly awaken
a few minds 10 the importance Of the fact
that something must be done TO improve
our present system Of making and improv-
ing our public highways. l have noticed
for years the inefhciency of the working Of
the present system OF making and repair
ing our public highways. Observation
shows great lack OF interest In the ap-
pontment Of our highway Surveyors, NOM
nations being made by our selectmen with
out much regard 10 the qualification OF the
man to secure a good road. ono thnt will
ue nKeIy TO lessen the expense, and the re-
suit is general dissatisfaction by all who
have occasion to travel upon our roads.
There is money enough provided, If prop
erly laid out, to put our highways In good
condition. The money provided Is gener-
ally most prodlgally expended. The am
btion OF the surveyor seems to be 10 cross
out the tax bill, and the tax payer Is usual
ly ready to say amen. Fifly dollars In the
hands Of good judlcious man, one who Is
well adapted TO the business OF making
roads, would be worth more than 500 spent
under the present system of highway sur
veyors. The town of Westminster raises
annually, by tax, from $500 to s14oO, which
is put into the hands OF about thirty sur
veyors. The money is spent and the high
ways not half repaired. Complaints are
made to the selectmen by those who have
occasion to travel our roads. Selectmen
order the surveyors TO repair roads and
bring in bills. The last part of the order is
generally-I might say, perhaps, always
-obeyed. Orders are drawn upon the
treasury of the town and the question is,
for about how muchf will answer this
access 10, (as have not consulted the rec
ords) which Is from the selectmen. The
extra expense amounts to from $500 to $4,000,
which would be an ahrcal average OF $500,
and which, together with the usial tax, is
$3.50. This may be little above the aver
age annual amount expended on our high
ways in Westminster. We come to the
90 nOlusion Mt onco that this sum is suffi-
cient II judiclously expended, TO put pub
lie highways in a good travelling condition
In this town. Permit me here to remark 1
would not be understood TO say that West
minister is any more at fault than other
towns. What is true of this town is appll-
cable 10 many OF the towns in this State.
By pursuing this course, under the old sys-
tenn Of surveyors, VIC are travelling upon
poor roads, getting bad reputation, incur
ring suits at law-and some OF them very
expensive, and sometimes unexpectedly
decided against us. Now let us bring our
public highways up to that standard OF PER-
fection that we will gain such q reputation
for good roads that jurors will hesitate long
before they find damages against us on 40
count Of insufiiciency OF highways. And
another reason for betteriuG our roads, the
times demand better roads than formerly.
People think quicker, move quicker, and
every thing is expected 10 move with a
rapid movement. l think that we must
concede the fact thato public highways
are very far behind tho times. Well, what
is the remedyi I do not feel fully compe-
tent TO answer this question. expect 9TH
ers TO answer 1t. Sill am free to say that
the commissioner system would be far
preferable TO tho present Of highway sur
veyors. Three men are better than thirty.
Let us select three men of judgment, OF
our highways in nice condition for travel
ling purposes, and men Of prudence and
economy, men well adapted to the busi-
ness. We may mistake our men, and it
will be best for Us to watch them closely.
If we have selected those who are incapac-
itated 10 do the work, let us change them
as soon as possible. When We find we have
the right men in the right place, keep them
ever, for experience is worth large sum
in road making. Nearly all, think, will
acknowledge the present system bad. Let
us adopt something better, if possible. Bet
ter roads is the principal object, with less
expense IL possible. Hoping the few ideas
have proposed may be the means of call
ing out some of those str rong minded men
that they will put their thoughts Into words
for the benefit OF this convention, submit
this subject to your consideration.