Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-01-31
NO.1s--797.
PENN. AND NEW JERSEY noADs.

When the Governor of Pennsylvania
wrote in his annual message to the Leg
islature last week that the 'civilization
of country is marked by its roads, he
meant to say that the Keystone State
cannot claim to rank highest in civliza-
ton. As matter of fact, no expendi-
ture of public monies yields so little in
return as the road taxes of Pennsylva-
MIA. This, coming from the Governor
together with the recommendation that
'sour entire system of road laws-or
rather, our road laws which lack sys-
tem-should be thoroughly revised and
codifed" is significant and timely.
Innocently, Gov. Beaveralso Int the
New Jersey nail on the head. His re-
marks and suggestions have been wide
ly copied and commented upon by the
local papers of that state.
Every word of this" remarks the
Elizabeth Journal, editorially, lis APP
plicabe to New Jersey, and every sug-
geslion could be made to our own Legs
lature. The civilization Of Union Co.
as indicated by its roads alone, IS evil
ization only in spots. There are m ny
parts of the county in which the public
highways are not roads at all, but sim
ply mud-holes. Millions upon millions
Of money have been thrown into these
mud-holes during the past 100 years,
but they are as deep, as thick and as
dangerous as they were IN 1883.
There is no economy in keeping them
so. The prospects are that
the Legislature viii take up this impor-
taut subject at the next session, aud it
is sincerely hoped that it will do some
thing to give US good county roads be-
fore another winter"
Inquiries made yesterday as to the
prospect of Improvement in the roads
Of Union County led to the discovery
hat there is a well-defned and repre-
sentative movement under way. Ar
'angements are being made for a meet
ng of those interested in county roads
rom Elizabeth to PIainfeld, from Sum-
nit to Railway, from New Providence
0 Spl ing6eld, from Springfield TO Ro-
ellie, and any others with similar views.
Among those who are active in the agi-
alton are Chauncey b. Ripley, for
wenty years resident OF Westfeld
nd reputed the champion road over
eer Warren Alderman, the largest
md owner in the county; the Hon.
Alfred Mills, Senator James L. Miller,
ludlow V. Clark, Ira Lambert, the
Ion. John Kane, Jr., Austin Bigelow,
Dennis G. Crane, Secretary ofthe State
agricultural Society; IL. p. Baldwin,
( the Central Railroad, and the organ
zation known as the Central Land I'm
rovement Company.
The plan is to petition the Legislature
or bill authorizing the Board of Free
folders or some othercommission ofth
ounty to declare certain roads county
highways. The idea is to have them
worked as county interests for many
'olitical reasons. The argument used
) to this effect:
"The time has come when it will be
economy in every way to build our
'oads permanently and substantially.
The comfort of our people, economy in
he transportation of our products, saw
ng in the wear and tear of vehicles and
and the needless multiplication
If the highways all demand that the
avs governing the laying out and con-
and maintenance of our roads
hould be radically reformed and sys-
This is a matter which af-
ects every inhabitan,. We must all
Ise in some way or other, at some time
II another, the public roads. Their
haracter and condition affect the breed
nc of our stock. the style of our vehi-
les, the carrying capacity ofour farm
RS wagons, and the speed and enjoy
nent of all who travel for business or
leasure."
In most cases in Union County new
Dads are not needed. 1t is only neces-
ary that the old roads be declared
ounty property so that they may be
ut and kept in good order as such.
It present there is no uniform system
caring for the highways of Central
Few Jersey, and as consequence they
re unsightly, dangerous, and in places
assable only with great difficulty. So
II as can be learned, there is no ma
rial opposition to the proposed i'm
York Times.