The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1890-10-03
WESTPORT.
THE ROAD oUESTIG

THE ROAD QUESTION.
1t has been years since there has been
such u universal interest in the annual
town meeting. Our highways are the
fruitful cause. Their mismanagementi in
the past, the future plan to be adopted
and the special petition for large im-
proyements on Riverside avenue are each
subjects that have impressed themselves
on various minds. The first is past and
cannot be remedied. If we can profit by
| our experience, we shall be wise. The
second will probably be a probationary
| plan, but, If the man on whom "Moses
mantlen shall fall is competent and reso-
I lutte enough to carry out the right for-
getting all about reelection and knowing
| only the present needs) he may build bet
ter than he knows. There are not less
| than score of men who have an eye
! open to this coveted position, Each one
thinks he could manage the roads a little
better than any one else available. Even
the town fathers have the impression that
what they have done. is u very strong
lever toward placing them where they
will have sole control without let or him
drance. What they have done may be
worthy of commentator and will prob
ably encourage their denomination; but
what they have not done by allowing the
| grandest opportunity that has presented
! itself to the selectmen of this town for
many years, to act above all partisan,
personal and future official interests and
| take stand for right, for honesty, for a
| perfect fulfllment of town contracts, to
| pass by without an earnest effort to re-
deem the past, shows how timid men be-
come when once in Office and easily led to
adopt the opinions of others, not having
the courage to stand by their own.
The petition for the Strengthening, wild
ening, grading and matchmaking Rail-
road avenue, or either of them, as the
call reads, is by far tire@most important
| business to come before the meeting.
| All the other is of "A routine or annual
character. This lisa specific, permanent
| Improvement that is asked for and should
be the beginning of progress for West
port. This avenue between the railroad
station and our village should be attract
i've, not repulsive. Over it, all strangers
and new corners need to pass and it has
never been very inviting. We desire our
town to grow. Manufacturers to come
in and locate. People to build luxurious
homes and to have Westport more like
other attractive towns. But what do we
do as town to encourage these things
or to aid Individual effort? Let the man
who feels confident of making a satisfac-
tory showing ON this line for the town
rise up in town meeting and inform the
people. The value and popularity OF
good roads is always noticeable by the
increased travel. just as soon as the
farmer and intelligent owners of horses
and wagons can be educated to the fact
that it is economy to pay Il little more il
taxes and a great deal less on the repairs
of vehicles, harness, horses, ETC., we will
have our principal roads macadamized
Stratford has been struggling for six
months with this subject and finally con
quered, not by trying one road, but by
ordering two at once. This avenue cal
have all that is asked and be made an or
nament to the town, by proper manage
ment. with no extra taxes or indebted
, ness to the town, by applying the surplus
to this object and leaving the present in
debtedness for two years without reduc
ton. Surely the merchant, the mechanic
and the progressive man will use his in
fuence and vote in aid of such an i'm
portant, permanent and needed improve
ment.