The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-11-22
GOOD COUNTRY ROADS WANTED
New Jerseys Example to be Followed in
Other states.

The New Jersey law which was passed
two years ago permitting the various coun-
ties of that state to issue bonds for the I'M
provement Of country roads has led to move
ments in that direction in other states.
There is no county in New Jersey in which
the law has been given iairer trial than
in Union county. Bonds have been ISSUED
i'm that county to the amount Of $3O0,OUO,
and the money obtained by this issue will
be sufficient to put in fine condition some
thirty miles Of country roads, extending IN
one direction from Elizabeth TO Plalniield,
and in another direction from Railway to
summit.
The original estimate of expense for these
improvements was $4,000 per mile, and TO
the credit of those who have had the i'm
grOyements in charge this sum has proved
sufficient for them. The roads are now
nearly finished. and for the first time In the
history of mon county they are IN cOnul-
ton for all sorts of travel in every season OF
the year. 1t is alleged that in bad weather
one horse can now draw load which re-
duired the strength of four horses before the
Improvements were made.
Chauucey b. Ripley who was one of the
projectors of the road law, said yesterday
that il is the opinion of property owners in
Union county that the issue Of bonds for this
improvement will really never be felt by the
taxpayers. The taxes levied to pay the in
tsrest on these bonds are now lighter than
were the expenses TO keep the roads in re-
pair under the old system. Since the law
went into operation, moreover, real estate
values in Union county have advanced
nearly $l,jOO,OO0, exclusive Of property ad-
yances in Elizabeth of nearly 100000 mOle.
While this increase is not claimed as all due
10 the improved roads, it is felt that this i'm
proyement may reasonably be credited with
having already appreciated county values
to the full extent Of the cost of the roads,
while general taxes are no higher than be-
fore the roads were laid.
Mr.. Ripley quotes Warren Alderman,
who is probably the largest real estate
owner in Union county, TO the effect that
the improvements cannot cost the present
taxpayers dollar. because by the time the
bonds shall mature the increase OF popula-
ton and the appreciation of values will
have been sufficient TO pay for their redemp-
ton. As Mr.. Alderman expresses il, the
bonds will be redeemed by taxes on yalua-
lions that do not now exist, and on persons
who are not now residents of the county.
Sheriff Classy, who is also very much in
terested in the work, has expressed TO Mr..
Ripley opinions identical with those Of Mr..
Alderman. lie says that two years ago
people were ltdNluI l-llLdDtlu ptCduSt ~
the bad roads, but that the population il
now increasing, and that the city is becOm-
ing attractive to people who like to drive
and who are now enabled by the condition
of the roads TO enjoy that pastime
The prominence given TO Mr.. Ripley IN
connection with this law and its execution
has brought letters 10 him from various
parts OF the country which show an in
creased interest in this subject, and which
promise TO pOpularize the movement.
Within a few weeks Mr.. Ripley has received
a letter from "a gentleman Tor many years
member of the Pennsylvania Legislature.
He wants copy Of the New Jersey laws
and all printed matter relating thereto. lie
says that il his purpose to devote his chief
energies during the coming session to pro-
cure the passage Of a similar act in his own
State. This gentleman is also the owner OF
newspaper, whose columns he intends 10
devote to <he championship Of this move
ment.
In Massachusetts, a chair has been re.
Gently endowed at the Boston School OF
Technology to be known as the Chair Of
Public Roads. Mr.. Ripley SAYS that ne has
reason 10 believe that not only in Pennsyl.
yania, Massachusetts, and New York a
society having recently been formed in this
State TO promote the improvement Of public
r0ads-has interest been awakened in this
subject. but that there is hardly an Eastern
or Middle State that has not taken on new
zeal in the matter of the improvement OF
roads.
In Tennessee the Vanderbilt University
nstructs free of charge one person from
each county TO supervise roads. During
the coming session Of the Legislature bills
for this purpose will be introduced in Ohio,
Virginia, Maryland, and Rhode Island in
addition 10 the states mentioned. New
Hampshire has recognized the importance
of good roads in the White Mountain dis
trict by making State appropriations for the
construction and repair of the principal
county and town roads. Mr.. Ripley was
glad 10 notice, during visit TO Maine last
summer, tlatincreased attention is given TO
the condition Of the roads in Bangor, and
that at Bar llarbor the town authorities have
become convinced that il they are TO main
tain that place as favored summer resort
they must provide good roads for the sum-
mer yisitOrs.-New York Times.