Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-08-16
The Highways.

The Middlebury Register confirms the
opinion expressed in this and other papers
of the state concerning the general neffi-
cheney of the Judevine highway bill, and
briefly reviews the cumbersome methods
provided by that measure. The Register
says:
"a sufficient trial Of the so-called Judevine
highway law passed by the last Legislature has
been made, and the public is in a position to
Judge OF its efficiency in keeping up our roads
and bridges Have two seasons experience just-
tilted the change In the law? 1t would appear
not. No one who drives much and to any dis
lance over our roads can fail to notice a general
alteration for the worse. The roads show neg
lect Damages caused by rains are often not
attended to except where they have made the
way impossible. Planked culverts and sluice-
ways are notably neglected even when they are
positively dangerous. Worn bridge planks are
patched by mailing boards above the holes instead
OF laying new planks. Everywhere a spirit of
procrastinatiOn shows its work in slovenly re-
pairs and half repairs, and long delayed repairs.
The trouble seems to be that too much red tape
is required in enforcing repairs. Under the law
whenever highway or bridge becomes unsafe,
three citizens may notify in writing one OF the
selectmen In the town where the highway or
bridge Is situated, and II the town neglects to be-
gin the repairs within thirty-six hours, they may
signatures, setting forth the condition and loca-
ton OF the insufficient highway or bridge, and
bile 1t with one OF the board OF road commission
ers OF the county on the receipt OF the complaint
II is made the duty OF the commissioner TO notify
one OF the selectmen Of the town and the parties,
or one OF them filing the complaint, when and
where the board will examine the highway or
bridge complained OF, and they then and there
give hearing to all parties Interested, and II
they are OF opinion that the highway or bridge IL
out OF repair or unsafe they shall determine what
repairs shall be made and give TO the selectmen a
copy OF their report, and shall make an order re-
quiring the town TO make the repairs. Another
section OF the law requires that all such COM
plants to the road commissioners filed by three
citizens shall be duly sworn TO before filing, a
certificate OF their oath attached to the COM
plalnt that they have personally examined the
highway or bridge and that 1t is out OF repair
and the compliments must deposit with the COM
missioners or give security to them for the costs
OF the examination which will amount TO two
dollars and expenses each per day while attend
ing TO the matter. II the commissioners happen
TO disagree with the compliments as TO the need
OF repairs, the latter have to pay their costs
The result OF all this Is that unless the highway
or bridge Is almost impossible or positively dan
gerous, In most country districts every one prefers
TO let somebody else take the trouble OF making
the complaints, The selectmen indulge In no very
strong feeling OF responsibility when procrastina
ton or neglect on their part Ia not going to in
volye the town In suits for damages and thus gain
for them the III will and lose for them the future
votes OF their fellow citizens The law In some
respects seems as though intended to brighten
citizens from making complaints. 1t H., to be
sure, well calculated TO secure proper repairs
wherever there are energetic, pushing men who
are willing TO devote themselves TO the struggle
with official inertia but most OF the people OF
Vermont have something else TO do with their
time. The consequence is that, while some dis
tricts and towns may have satisfactory and safe
highways, 1t Is to be inferred from al we hear
and see that this is not true OF most OF the state
but that on the contrary the highways are gener-
ally In worse condition than under the old law.
II this difference is due to taking away the in
centive TO attention 10 the condition OF the high
ways which the former right OF action for damages
let that right be restored. Good roads
are necessary even II, TO secure them, the towns
have to run the risk OF HmartinR for IT,