New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-22
TO IMPROVE STATE ROADS.
THE ONE POINT IN THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE
WHICH EVERYONE APPRovES-ASsEM
BLYMAN RHoDEs's BILL.

BLYMAN RHODESs BILL
Albany, jan 81 tSpeciaD.-Governor Hill. in talk
ing about the reception which his annual message 10
the Legislature has met with. said. laughingy. few
days ago: 81 am glad to that my ideas about
the necessity of improving the country roads meet
with universal appreciation. There has been no
partisan division on that question"
To day there was introduced in both branches Of
the legislature by Senator Coggcshall and by As
sembyman Rhodes. bill creating a state Board OF
Highway Commissioners. The bill drawn up
by the officers of the New-York state Roads Improve
ment Association. The bill authorizes the Governor
with the consent of the senate. to appoint three ct
zens of the state members Of the new Board At
least two of them to be prac-
teal and experienced civil engineers They arc
TO receive salaries Of $1,000 each and $500 travelling
expenses. The bill provides that the board shall
prepare maps. plans and specifications for the
struction and maintenance of an improved system OF
highways in the several counties of the State. except
Kings and New-YOrk counties. upon the roadbeds
Of such existing highways as may be selected by the
Boards of Supervisors Of the several counties" Two
ffths of the of these improvements to be paid
by the of the property benefited and three fths
by the county in which the improvements are made
The various Boards of Supervisors directed to meet
in the ffty-eght counties Of the state affected by
the act and to select the public highway or highways
within the limits of the county which. by reason
Of use location and commercial importance shall IN
the Judgment OF the supervisors be best suited to the
conditions Of improved construction and maintenance
as improved state highways The Boards of super
vsors after the State Board Of Highway Commissioners
have made their surveys for the improved highways.
are invite sealed proposals for their construction
1t is proposed gradually to dcfray the cost of inc
improvement during period of twenty years. Inc
sum of $4,000 appropriated to the expenses Oh
the state Board.
II has been suggested that some road construction
companies would like 10 such a bill passed, ana
that perhaps those who pushing this bill are ho'
a. disintcrested they at first sight There are
a good many patriots who come 10 Albany WIN
schemes for the salvation of their country VINO are
aferwaId discovered handling the funds Of the State
with too much freedom. still the highways oil ING
state are certainly in bad condition. and the present
highway laws do not create good roads. whether tle
farmers OF this state. in the present depressed cohu
ton Of agriculture. will be willing to cNpend much
upon better roads * somewhat doubtful. Already the
farmers in certain counties have protested AGAINST
their being compelled to pay for improved roads on
the ground that bcycli>tS alone desire them, ana
that the improvements moi necessary. 50 far a. tne
farmers are concerned. There also disposition III
the Legislature IL oppose the creation OF new stare
commissions. There have been large nunl'ci
created within the past ten wears. and they nave
proved be expensive burden 10 the state Ihe
TAXPAYERS. in many cases, also are 0i the OPINION
thai the commissions have not repaid their cost