Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1892-04-29
COUNTRY ROADS.
Better Highways needed in thu state
No Investment Could he Made Tint
Would Fay Better.

Would Fay Better.
The attractions of Vermont are not to
lie found in any one locality or section.
This is one feature that holds the atten-
ton OF the traveller. Go where one
will, and new beauties are to be seen.
The mirror of nature is constantly pre-
senting some fresh combination of shades,
and a picture of surprising loneliness can
at any time be seen from the hilltops
along the highway. At the same time, it
may seriously I've questioned whether the
view is not mIrred, and the effect injured,
by want of attention to what some
might consider of minor importance.
There is no way in which the attrac-
tions may be increased so easily as by a
little better attention to the roads and
roadsidcs Good road beds, smooth and
hard, free from stumps, stones and logs,
Will always be appreciated, and the town
will be measured, by the traveller. by the
general condition Of the highways. the
gudeboards at the corners, and the school
houses Ii these be well kept, the i'm
preston viii be conveyed that the town
is prosperous and the inhabitants con.
tented. No matter how fine the dwell
ings, if these be neglected nothing can
satisfy the stranger that the town is
progressive and the citizens happy. 1t is
not a question OF accurate Judgment, but
OF first impressions, and these as rule
are enduring.
Vermont, as summer resort, is beng
| doomed by the far seeing business men in
every way possible. The Central Yer
mont line running through the State and
which is emphatically n Vermont road,
is spending thousands yearly in setting
forth, in n convincing manner, the at
fractions otthe State, to be found in every
section. This is not enough There is
something for the people to do, not only
| for their own comfort and protection, but
to seal the story told the outside public,
by giving more attention to the high
ways and keeping them in better repair.
Under the laws of the State these must
be i'll safe condition for the traveller,
but in some towns it is evident there is a
very imperfect appreciation OF what is
intended to be covered By the term safe.
II a road is i'll such shape that one can
walk horse without danger to life and
limb, it is considered enough. The
thought of comfort to the stranger pass
ing over the country road does not seem
| to enter in at all.
For just this reason some of the most
attractive spots i'll Vermont are passed
over and neglected There are towns
where, If the highways were kept i'll first
class condition, the city residents and
travellers would flock in numbers, but
now, because they are only good
enough which means simply passablc,
they rcpel instead Of attract. There is no
call for large increase of expenditure,
but rather wise distribution of the
amount now appropriated, and the doing
well OF whatever is attempted The policy
OF killing time while working taxes on
the highway, VIII explain why so many
poor roads are to he found Men who
recognize the natural advantages Of a
town or section, must see to it that these
are brought within the reach OF the sum
mer tourists by inviting roads and road.
ways. Not only should there be a
smooth, hard road bed, we'll turned to
shed water, but the bitches and road
sides ought to be cleared Of all waste
material. lfit be charged that this means
more labor, then surely the answer is
that out of this there is sure to come in
creased revenue to the town by the incom.
ing Of those who seek for pleasant drives
in desirable localities where they may
spend their summer months.
Not alone at the mountains should we
find the tourist, but because of the grand
variety of scenery, lakes, rivers, ponds
hills and valleys. scattered all over the
State. Every village should attract, and
would, if by attention to some of these
little things the traveller be drawn to
the spots where the beauty of nature may
best be seen. A penny wise and pound
foolish system prevails i'll far too many
localities, which drives away and does
not call in. Even some of our larger
towns and cities fail right here, and be
cause the streets and surroundings are
not attractive and comfortable, lose what
would otherwise be great value. Good
roads with pleasing roadsides will be
found to be one Of the best investments
possible for town orcity, and one which
will increase in value year by year. Aside
from all benefit to be derived by the resi-
dents, the pecuniary advantages of hav'
ing we'll kept roads are sufficient to war.
rant calling attention TO subject now
too much neglected,
he More Accurate Please Mr.. Tnlmage.
Mr.. EDITOR: | am constant reader