St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1889-01-17
Gbe Californian.
THEY BEGIN TO SEE 1T.


One by one the newspapers OF the
state are coming to a realizing sense
ofwhatit means to them to have the
state republican committee meddling
with their business. The opinion of
the Caledonian has heretofore been
freely stated on this matter. Below
is a comment from the Newport Ex-
press
We do not question Mr. Pages
good intentions in this newspaper
business, but we think he was sadly
in error in ever mixing up in it at all.
1t has been a constant squeezing OF
well-to-dO papers in favor of those
which could not stand alone. 1t has
bled Vermont publishers without
good reason, and could in no event
alter the political complexion of the
state. Papers averse to the arrange
ment have been compelled to adopt
it in self defence, as the lesser OF two
evils. We hope this year Will see the
last of such interference with private
business by the state committee
The following week the Express
SAYS further
1t should be remembered that this
furnishing other papers at reduced
rates has entailed q great mount OF
laborf for which we receive practically
no compensation. In the aggregate
we have thus far ordered this season
$50 periodicals in connection with
our paper, from 53 different publish
ers. We have saved to our Tcadcrs
by this arrangement upwards OF
$3.50; we are glad to do this Tor our
patrons, and only mention it that all
might know it is no picnic to act as
their agent in handling this business.
GOV. BEA YER ON COUNTRY ROADS.
Gov. Beaver of Pennsylvania de
voted Il part of his last inaugural adj
dress to the problem ofcOuntry roads.
His presentation of the subject isiust
as valuable to Vermontcrs as to those
for whom it was primarily intended
and his words arc givenin full below.
They will repay careful reading and
consideration.
1T is said that the civilization of
a country is marked by its roads.
If this be true, Pennsylvania cannot
claim to have ranked highest i'll civ
ilizatiOn. 1t is safe to say that no
expenditure of public moneys yields
so little III return as the road taxes
of Pennsylvania. Our entire system
of road lawS-Or rather IL road
laws which lack system-shOuld be
thoroughly revised and codltIed.
They served their purpose when tenn
pOrar roads were to be laid out and
cheaplv made through unbrOken for
ests and over lands which had but
little value. The time has come
when it will be economy, in every
way, to build our roads permanent
" and substantially. The comfort
of our people, economy iii the trans
pOrtatiOn of our products, saving i'll
the wear and tea of vehicles and
animals, and the needless multiplied
ton of highways, all demand that
the laws governing the laying out
and construction of our roads should
be radically reformed and systema-
TIED.
This NAV be considered q matter of
minor Importance, and yet it affects
every inhabitant of the common
wealth We must all use at some
time or other, III some way or other,
our public roads. Their character
and condition affect the breeding of
our stock, the style of our vehicles,
the carrying capacity of the farmers
wagon, and the speed and enjoyment
of all who travel them for business
or pleasure, either in the carriage, i'll
the saddle, on the bicycle or on foot.
a thorough system should be devils
ed and authorized by the legislature
which could be put into immediate
effect by our older communities, and
adopted by those which are newer,
as their ability and the wants of their
people might require"