New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-12-18
J,fpROCED ROADS FOR THE COUNTY,.

J,fpROTED ROADS FOR TIE COUNTRY.
Tbc impression is evidently spreading that IL
,,nd transit is a good thing for the cities, some
thing of the sort would not be bad thing Tor
,ho country The result is that while people
- the cities are testing elevated railroad
schemes and Subtclmncan railroad schemes ana
clectric-car schemes people in the country are
addressing themselves to the problem of inn
nroving their highways. Country roads were
ana oT the subjects which Governor Hill dis
uI,scd at length in his last message TO the
LEGISLATURE, and il is expected that he VIII
rcturn 10 il in his forthcoming message lie
smoke Of the unsatisfactory condition OF most
Of the country roads of this state, asserted
that they were growing worse instead "l pc'-
fer. pointcd out the causes which contributor
to their decline and suggested that the >tdic
Should proceed To construct through ever!
county two highways running IN different Ill
rcctiunS and inter sccting each other IN about
he centre of the county, such roads TO form
4 part of complete general system
The Legislature of 1890 did not act upon
tho Governors suggestion II wisely concIud-
cd that 50 gIcat State work aS the one III
nucstlon. involving the expenditure Of millions
taken AZ ALL only after mature dclibcratlon ana
the distinct assurance that the people 81 We"
ork in general and the farmers OF New l"lh
i'm particular are in favor II II. hat assurance
ha, no, Vet been given, although II Is aSrccd
on all side, that it IS vitality nccc>'aI! thHo
something shall be done looking 10 the I'M
provcment OF the country roads. Inc pfooaOIe
| cost Of carving ont the Governor ; scheme mas
| doubtless set Il great many farmers ana 'ther
conservative taxpayers against II. Nor Is II
necessary to adopt il in order 10 render uaNcI
IN the country much easier tnan 1t Is a present
| # our existing highway laws were properly
amended the result could not fail to be better
rn1d, We read that the state Road Com
mission of Pennsylvania has prepared a Couh-
o., Road bill for presentation To- the next Legs
| lature of that state. (which will practically do
away with the ,hiftlesS working ont ct road
taxes" \ measure warranted 10 bnng about
the same reform in this state j. urgently
needed Writing on this subject last year. i
| Buffalo newspaper stated that one OF the ROAD
districts Of Erie County was bchlndhand IN rs
work upward of 300 days. II the Highway
| law, were what they ought 10 be such shame
ml ncgli gcnce, 1t is needless 70 say, would he
impossible. In his last annual message the
Governor Of Alabama had something to say
about roads, Perhaps he and our own COY
crnor would not agree. Livery township IN
The state" wrote Governor Ncay, should nave
GOOD schools and good roads. but every town
shin should build its own roads and support It's
own schools" II would seem from this that
the Governor Of Alabama believes not only in
the policy Of local cif-eoycIumcut, lut tho
policy of local ,clf-improycmcnt
Our next Legislature can render the farmers
Of the State excellent practical service by thor
ou.hly oycrhauling the Highway laws. The
standing Committees on Roads and Bridges OF
the two houses ordinarily accomplish little that
| j. OF general interest, and are commonly regard
ed ~ Of minor importance. But in >9l these
committees viii hc afforded a golden oppor
mnity to distinguish themselves. Rapid tran
sit for the metropolis and better transit fol IN,
country are two pressing needs of the hour it
this State The lawmakers who supply thcS,
needs will earn the public gratitude