The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-08-31
THE PAWTUXET VALLEY.
APPONAuG.

A rally in the interest Of good roads was
held In the town house, last night The
meeting was called to order at 8 25 u. NJ.
by Frank Greene, president Of the Paw
tuxet Valley Business Mems Association,
who. In q few woll-chosen remarks, intro
ducsd as the first speaker, Alfred Stone OF
PRovIDESCE
Mr.. Stone spoke at length upon the sub
ject and read q valuable paper which has
already been published and one which he
had read two years ago before the Histori-
cal and Economic Society of Brown Uni
versity, and quoted extensively during his
remarks from authorities given In an arti-
Gle written by Henry French and j. Her
bert Shedd OF Boston, In 1866 Quincy A.
Gilmore, Jeremiah Jencks and others.
Mr.. Stone. continuing said the roads
needed repairs as was conclnsiveiy proved
by the large number OF poor roads III the
State at present.
An elaborate definition and description
was then given of different roads in the
State and the various grades compared
The steepest grades are one in twenty or
five feet In hundred. the same as the
street near the new building of the
Young Mems Christian Association.
Mr.. Stone ably illustrated his quota
tions by the use of maps and charts,
especially prepared for the occasion.
After showing illustrations OF the grad
lDR Oh TOaQ OcuS, tut bDcdktT Sdlu Judl
many had an erroneous opinion and
thought narrow roads were less expen-
sive but IL was not SO. The cost varied
with the traffic, and he said that the width
Of roadways In the country should be 10
or IL feet and near the towns or cities "a,
%, 30 or 32 feet, as the case might require.
While the cutters should be from Is
inches to feet in width.
The roads to-day throughout the State
In the rural districts were generally
mended with natural soil excavated from
the bitches, and were consequently a
simple wagon track which filled with
water after every rain. The McAdam
broken stone 2x inches or smaller, with
q covering from 10 to IL inches, although
the roads at Bridgeport, Conn, had been
built with but four inches covering under
the McAdam system, aud were success
He thought them among the best in the
country. and advocated the advantages
derived from travel over roadbeds made
by that system, closing with recommend
ing the issuing Of town bonds, as il would
be saving, increase the valuation, bring
a profit and gain in excess of the outlay.
Mr.. Stones remarks were received with
applause, after which ID. NJ. Thompson,
general superintendent of the B. Is. & X.
Knights mills was introduced, and said
that he thought all important points
had been covered in Mr.. Stones ad-
dress. But he thought no effort should
be spared to encourage the present move
ment for a better system OF roads In tho
town Of Warwick, which possessed every
natural advantage that could be enjoyed
on the earth. Mr.. Thompson then dwelt
at length upon the roads Of PROVIDENCE,
it's beautiful suburbs and the public spirit
which was at all times shown by its citi-
zens upon improvements.
The roads Of European countries were
then described and traced from the Ap-
plan Way to the present splendid sys.
were made which were frequently re.
ceiyed with loud applause.
Mr.. THOMPSON closed his address with
an earnest admonition for the citizens of
the town to emulate PROVIDENCE and
other cities, and showed conclusively by
statistics that no matter what the ex-
pense would be every citizen would re-
ceive n benefit, while the farmer would
save his tax every year by having better
road system and better highways connect
ing important points.
Mr.. Thompson was frequently greeted
with applause and received the thanks of
the Association.
Robert Reoch, manager OF the Clyde
Print Works, then read letter and
stated that that the movement for better
roads was not At the instigation OF any
political party, sectional, antagonistic or
otherwise. Neither was 1t to reflect any
discredit upon the present surveyors. He
closed by begging the citizens to take the
matter in hand next Tuesday and vote
for honest improvement.
DIR. Aram w. Colvin of Phenix was
then called upon by Mr.. Greene, and de-
livered spirited address in which he
paid great tribute to the suggestions al
ready mentioned by Mr.. Thompson and
Mr.. Stone, and practically voiced their
thoughts as uttered during the meet
ing,
Those present then unanimously voted
to support resolutions which had pre-
viouslv been passed at a meeting of the
Association in regard to bonding the
town. 1t was also voted to hold another
meeting on Friday evening. The meeting
was then adjourned at 1880 L. NJ.
NATICk.
The members of Webster Lodge, X. of
p, No. 20, will hold a meeting this even
ing in Engine Hall, and St. John s Lodge,
i. .. Il. H., of PROVIDENCE, will be enter
tanned aud given supper by the mem
bers OF Excelsior Lodge, l. o. G. r.,
No. 12.
FiSkEvILlE.
Mrs. Maria Potter, an octogenarian and
one OF the oldest residents of the town of
Cranston, died last night after q pro-
longed illness OF seven years.
Mrs. Potter was the daughter of the
late Sanford knight, and was well known
by u large circle OF aefaaintanees through
out the New England States.
Mrs. Daniel Baker presented her hus-
baud with bouncing boy yesterday af-
ternoon.
Miss Cora Hall is dangerously i'll.
RIVER POINT.
The members of the Scandinavian band
Of Pontiac gave concert upon the band
stand last night at S o'clock, twelve
being rendered.
The NEWS will be for sale every even
ing by John Urquhart opposite the Clyde