Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-08-01

line of argument its conclusions must be |
accepted that 'the probability is that the
birth rate Of the Congregationallsts is ac-
tually low. They are madc up almost
wholly of New Englanders of the old stock,
and it is among those especially that the
natural increase averages small. But if
this Puritan church is not raising up sons
and daughters to take the places of the
fathers who are passing away, how can it
hope to grow and flourish rs it did when
families Of eight, ten and twelve were com
mon among the godly people of New Eng
land 2"
The highways and the Law.
Tho recent decision of the Supreme Court
of Vermont in reference to liabilities of
towns for injuries TO persons and property
on highways, it correctly reported is of
great Importance aud likely to be far
reaching in its results. The case in brief
was that of Charlie, f. Butes and wife
against the village of Rutland, to recover
damages for injuries sustained by Mrs
Bates by being thrown from a carriage
near the village stone crusher. it being set
up as a claim that the horse was frightened
10y the machinery. The lower courts
found for the plaintiff, and an APP
peal being taken to the Supreme
Court the Judgment was reversed, and
Judgment was found for the defendant
This decision not only disposes of innumer-
ablc cases now on the dockets of the lower
courts, but it leaves the already too parsi-
monious towns and villages of Vermont free
to neglect the work Of repairing highways
to a still greater extent than ever.
II is q well known fact that all that has
kept many Of the roads of the State in pas
sable condition has been tho fear on the
part of the town officials of being held re
spou -ble Tor accidents. Town officers having
this matter in charge generally reason with
themselves aft thi, fashion: "rhat road
is haj, TO b. sure, bat it will 20 another
! year. The question is. can the town lie
h.l responsible for damages in case Of &C
! CLIENTS We con save 500 by not fixing IT,
/ lis worth while TO rlu some risk to save
| That amount. %1hoi- was ever yet hurt
| there aud th, chance, are that nobody ever
/ will be- And thur run the ri-,. To such
an extent has this sort 81 reasoning pre-
vailed that legal advice has boon taken in
some instances as TO the responsibility Of the
| town in case OF accident. and bad highways
have been permitted 80 grow worse simply
because some lawyer Thought they vera not
! bad enough TO warrant a person bringing
suit in case Of accident at that particular
point.
The decision will undoubtedly have a ten
dcncy to make parties having supervision
! o. 4 I
negligent than ever. This ought not to be
So, but it is general rule that where re
sponsbillty ceases less interest is manifest
ell. In this connection We quote some pithy
statements from a letter received from q
correspondent in the northern part of the
State:
People should see TO it that persons having
this matter of the roads in charge should on
pend The appropriations made Tor such pur-
poses as cal, fully and iuuciou-lY, and "ith
as much rerard for public safety, as though
the towns were Responsible for their neglect.
! IL the towns or private individuals have a
brush piles, old carts and other distractions
| within tie limit, Of the highway where they
are liable to brighten teams, without the
towns being lcCait responsible therefor, the
| selcctmen ur others in charge have humane
responsibility. TO say the least, to see that they
| arc removed dt once.
There seems almost an insane desire in some
| sections to not only crowd their Highway
fences several feet into the highway, but to use
the remaining space between the fence and
, t!ech way a. dumping ground for tine ac'
| CUmuiatod rubbish of the farm.
II this is permissible under our present law
= | the sooner tEc law ia chan Zjl the bcttti Let
public sentiment express itselt in this mater
and We Laco no fear for the result.
But we greatly fear that public senti
ment' will not express itself and in that
case We hayo every reason to fear the re-
suit A voter who VIII assent to every
thing you may say with regard to the wis
dom and necessity Of bull ing good roads
rarely votes as lie talks. Tao highway sur
veyor or the selectman who spends tn,
smallest amount Of money on the highways
) is the man who sets the applause and re
election in most cases. The next Legisa
$ ture should take hold Of this matter and moi
let e. until some wise and comprehensive
!; action = taken. The need is great and ur
2 gent. There are few if any questions Of
greater importance demanding prompt and
intelligent action.