Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-04-03
A NATIONAL PLAN.


commanded tho famous Pennsylvania
brigade known as tho Buck Tail rifles,
has, Notwithstanding his absorbing oc-
cupatiOns, given much thought to the
subject of the improvement Of country
roads. being recently consulted in ref
erencc to the preparation of & measure
to DO introduced in astato legislature. he
has formulated much broader scheme,
the scope of which is national. The other
evening met him at the Union League
club, and took advantage of the oppor-
tunity to get his Vows and suggestions
upon this important subject more in de-
tail. He said, rather in explanation OF
the largCness Of his schcmG: mo good
roads have ever been built by local effort,
except in the richest communities. In
England, so long as the local system pre-
vailed, the roads were so bad that Ma
calllay was moved to say, Tho fruits Of
the earth were sometimes suffered to rot
in one place, while a few miles distant
the supply fell far short of the demand.
And he said further: Ono chief cause Of
the bnlncss Of the roads was the defect
i've state Of The law. Every parish was
bound 10 repair tho roads which passed
through it, and thus a sparse and i'm
poverished rural population was COM
policd to maintain lighwaya between
rich and populou5 town."
an thus respect" continued Gen.
Stone, 1--WE are just where England WIS
200 years ago. England met the diff
Guilty 10y the establishment Of turnpiies
with tolls and $1,000 luiles Of these
roads had been built in Macaulay's day.
Tho turnpike system does not seem,
however, to meet the approval Of our
people, and something else must DO de-
vissd. SUch being the case, I have sug-
gestcd II national plan, which, though
new in the form | suggest it, is not real
~ n new question il cur national poll
tics. II was Il most veXed question in
the days Of our pranlfatht-s, and lis
constiiutioual,ty was defended upon the
ground that congress mad right to pro-
vide for the common defense and also to
establish post roads. In France, where
are found perhaps the best roads in the
world, tho minister OF public works has
charge OF al roaGs These roads are
national or vicinal. Ci the first there
arc $4,000 mills, and llose are entirely
maintained from tle national treasury.
] he Niciu2l or cross roads are maintain
ed chiefly by the various COZ .lnunes."
"Whav do you think Of Governor Hills
Suggestions to the New Work lcgisla-
turc:' | asked.
They are admirable, and SO far as New
Torl. ,ato is concerned they, il embod-
led III laws, might answer the purpose
very well. But for New orll, in a
measure, and for most other states TO .
greater extent his plan would be much
more costly one to the taxpayers than
my broader method. The national gov
crnmen6 has had for some time and is
likely to have Uru-r our laws a large
surplus. This surplus could be lent 10
the states at very much lower rate OF
interest th&n any of these states could
borrow money from the public. My
plan rs at first outlined was this:
a. National financing, to secure tho lowest
rate Of interest. uniform IN al the n,ltas, and
longest torn CT repayment
go. state CULtro. c; d ourscncnt under some
form Of uatiooGl supervision; permanent or
ssnizc;ion Of trained experts, etc.
-. Local option .or each local aQQlicati ON Of
'', NJ. Sc r-i.,,,. l,..u,i, Of ,, ;,,o.o
chares between tic nation, state aId d ,'
aud q loeal adjl -t.lout in tho latter According
to benefits directly conferred
This plan ampiihcl," said Gen Stone
"wodid be 10 this effect:
81. Declare all mai! routes post roads
L,' PIX 81, L'i.t'' pool F"e>' IL the de-
- 5,.Gc1o,.er any s;..te shall bove sdon,od
she necessary legislation, and provided Tie
machinery Tor 1va:--ns Itself of Ia'-oaal aid,
ie; IL ',, - V, I r, 81 ~, ro,t, LoI "a
w.,ich ii desires improved, and a nlan for the
improvement of tho same, the state providing
Tor any relocation OF 'no roa" That MAJ o1 'id-
.bs-totc 10 cvccrt. sncb ,,,dc- s,,ror-
vision of the nited States bureau.
-. The United States tol0y The cost of i'm
pr 10, ", .,,,. ,.-.,.. ,..
spch cost and two-tairds Of the ero,,'.f 1T a
GnaIty.
-. Tho United States bureau 20 prepare plans
i'a q ~ - 20 80 ff ,' II ,'
prar,lence Ia ali such i.unroycnents.
80. Tho United States to have the option Of
rnA,i-S III pA5 Hl'-1' loF s"oh improvements