Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1891-08-07
GOOD ROADS IN TIME OF WAR.

John Gilmer Speed Suggests n Compre-
hensive Scheme of Improvements.
SIN time of peace prepare for war;" is
the rule which modern governments are
obliged to follow, notwithstanding all
the efforts of the peace societies, the in
auences in favor of settling international
differences by high courts of arbitration
and the teachings of the churches. If
nation have not the means to defend
itself it is very unlikely that any other
nation will be restrained by mere con-
siderations of equity and justice from
compelling the weaker to do what the
stronger wishes 1t is therefore neces-
sary to be always preparing for some
kind of conflict. In Europe the war
footing which is kept up has entalled
upon taxpayers burdens which it is al
most impossible for them to bear. but
there seems to be no way to escape from
the necessity to be always prepared.
In this country this necessity is not
brought home to us face to face every
day, and the danger from neglect would
probably not be so great as in any of the
European states But still the necessity
exists, and we have always recognized
it by maintaining a regular army and
navy and by keeping in a greater or less
state of efficiency organizations of citi-
zen soldiery in the various states.
We are not warlike people, but we
have in our brief history had our full
share of war and we have no right to
suppose that we shall never again have
to face a foreign foe In the wars we
! ha1 ha ITO, nJar l,ay
not had to contend with any more seri-
Gus hindrance to the movements of their
armies than the wretched roads which
have been compelled to do service for in
terror communication. Not only have
these bad roads hindered the command
ers and prevented the carrying out of
plans, but they have entailed upon the
individuals-the men of the ranks-of
the armies an untold amount of hard
ship and suffering.
Our railway lines have been enormous
ly extended, and there are few sections
of the country not penetrated by such
highways These are invaluable in time
of war, but they do not take the place,
when real campaign has begun, of the
common country roads. Over these the
heavy trains must be drawn, and over
them also must go the artillery. There
are very few roads in the country at all
adequate for such hard service. During
the civil war the mortality from gun
shots was not nearly SO great as from
sickness. Indeed, | believe there were
three men who died in the hospitals
from diseases incident to the hardships
= g. H.. LII
battle. This great mortality was doubt
less more than double what it would
have been had there been such good
roads in the sections fought over that
the men might have been better sheltered
and better fed during their campaigns.
The constitution of the United States
says that the general government shall
have power to establish post roads, and
it also says that it shall provide for the
common defense. With this authority
think it perfectly clear that the United
States has the right to build and main
tain roads which shall at the same time
serve as routes over which to take the
mails and for military purposes in time
of war. 1t is pretty generally conceded
that we can never expect to have much
better system of roads than that at pres
ent if we have to depend entirely upon
local effort to build and maintain new
and improved highways. At the same
time we can never expect the general
government to take hold of the matter
unless the people themselves show an
earnest interest in the matter.
Should the government take such ac-
ton it will have a double warrant for so
doing, as ! have just indicated, for all
highways in the country are post roads,
or could be made so. And besides this
the government would be doing service
to the people of immense value. The
government educates young men to be
officers in the army and navy; it makes
appropriations to assist agricultural and
mechanical colleges-both wise provi-
sions of the law By building national
highways to be used for post purposes in
time of peace and by the army in time
of war the government would at once
strengthen the military defenses of the
country and directly benefit all of the
citizens. by no means suggest that the
general government would do well to
/, take charge Of all the common roads of
the country. That would be absurd.
We had as we'll ask the general govern
mcnt to take charge of our local or even
of our domestic and family affairs What
do think should be done is this. think
the roads should be divided into several
classes as the French roads are, and that
+ they should be as follows:
First-National roads. These should
be built and maintained by the general
government and should be located with
reference to military and postal require
ments
Second-State roads. These should be
built and maintained by the several
states and should connect the various
localities of the states and be planned
with reference to the national roads.
Third-County or neighborhood roads
These should be built and maintained
by counties and townships and should be
located with reference to the classes just
mentioned.
, If our common roads were improved