The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-11-08
A HIGHWAY SOLVENT.

. A correspondent sends the Herald a
ill, that in his judgment contains the
ssential provisions for securing good
/ hain roads in Vermont.
The principal features Of the bill are
make distinction between main
pads and by.roads in towns of 400 or
bore voters and put the former in each
bwn under the charge of a commission
to be appointed by the Governor. The
Commissioner is to do turnpiking at the
me of year when the roads are usually
ry, and gravelling at the time when
hey are usually wet. Towns are not to
Employ labor by the day, but are to let
u important repairs to contractors.
armers are permitted to join in con-
Facts to the extent Of their combined
Axes. Inspectors of bridges are to be
appointed, and bridges and road cross
hg are to be kept even with the road
Fay. Loose stones are to be removed
very two weeks. Commissioners and
owns are subject to indictment without
office or to prosecution by information
pr violating the act.
There are other important provisions,
pr which the reader is referred TO the
lll. We are not aware of the number
towns in Vermont to which the bill
Fould apply, but we are unable to see
Fhy all of its provisions except the ap-
ointment of road commissioner by the
Governor should not be made to apply
b towns with three hundred and ninety
inc voters, or any smaller number, as
yell to towns of four hundred or more.
1t is an open question how far the
pads OF State ought to be left under
bcal control. 1t IL we'll known that the
eople OF some towns take pride in
Maintaining excellent roads and in 9th
towns they do not. And yet the roads
4 all towns are used by non residents,
nd the prosperity and good name OF
he State are involved in the highways
much greater extent than many
ealize.
Unless the law can be changed 80 as
b compel neglectful towns to do their
uty, then certainly the Governor, or
Ounty supervisors, or some other gen.
raj authority. should be charged with
be appointment of local commission
r. Supervision is one of the great es-
entials, with roads as it is with schools,
nd we think very much more 30. Shift
bg boards OF unscientific road-builders
bake bad work. This ought to be
hanged and every town would find
reat economy in employing a trained
superintendent, though we should sup
osed one might suffice for two or three
mall towns.
The contract system is a good one and
fill prove economical and efficient if
ried. Our correspondence bill happily
lends that and the present system OF
Forking out taxes, by allowing farmers
D combine in contract to the extent of
heir aggregate taxes.
4 The requirement as to the time for
travelling or turnpiking roads would
ardly seem necessary if competent
builders were to be employed land might
|e found too rigid in variable seasons,
nut it is aimed to overcome an immense
vii now existing and if it can be made
little more flexible will be found a
nost valuable provision of law.
This bill has some of the bones" of a
kood system. We commend it to the
Committee on Highways and to the law
ers in the Legislature, and appeal to
hem in behalf of a long suffering and
Ioud complaining but busy and inexpeTt
public to study the subject with great
pare aud endeavor to evolve a law that
VllI give Vermont good roads and thus
30 far, very far, toward promoting the
fontentment, happiness and prosperity
pr her people.