Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-10-13
Road Improvement.

/ 1
favor OF improving the highways OF tn
# state. While it is too much to hon
+. that this legislature will do anything i
e favor of permanent roadmaking, as tha
9 would involve too radical a chang
from old methods yet it isplainly to b
seen that the leaven is working and tha
it is only question of time when road:
will be built to stand for all time, anc
the present wasteful system, that is the
heaviest tax of any laid upon the peo.
pie of this state, shall give place ia
one that will give us economical. per-
manent and better roads. Gov. Page
says:
There is, and should be, healthy
public sentiment in opposition to Great
ing new offices of any kind, to be sup
ported out of the public treasury and |
dislike very much to urge upon you
any course conflicting with this senti-
ment, but | believe the time has ar
rived in the history OF our state when
the question of improved roads should
receive measure OF attention not hith-
erto accorded it, Some of our sisters
have deemed the subject of highways of
sufficient Importance to warrant the ex-
pense OF a state engineer whose duty it
is to counsel with and advise the road
commissioners Of the different towns
upon this important topic. | think |
am justified in saying tnat the needless
waste of the peoples money in the de-
partment of highways is larger bv far
than IN any other branch of public ex-
pense and warrants careful investiga- |
tion at your hands. Whether you will
think it wise to appoint a supervising
engineer or simply to appoint COM
mission to investigate the subject and
report at the next session of the legis-
lature with reference to roads, your
own good judgement will dictate. But
whatever course you may deem it wise
to pursue, ! earnestly advise that you
take some decisive action at this ses-
sion looking toward an improved con-
iition OF our roads.
1t is evident that the prosperity of
'ur state is retarded by the lax and un-
system which now prevails |
n large majority of the towns. Near ;
y all of our sister commonwealths are
moving in this matter, while it is as !
erted by many that Vermont is posi-
lively on the retrograde. This is not I
ound economy or wise policy. 1t is T
'enny wise and pound foolish for Yer y
mont, which is to-day entering, as / y
elieye, upon new era Of prosperity, Z
0 turn a deaf ear to the increasing de- u
lands Of comfort and commerce, by
eglecting to provide for better sys- Il
EN- OF highways. / hope YOU will II
dopt broad-minded and liberal poll b
y in dealing with this most important n
inject. ii
Gov. Fuller says: II
"The legislation of 1880, which re- c'
loved from the towns the responsible al
y of having good roads, has in many e'
Iaces caused neglect Of ordinary obli- el
alton and fostered abuse. With the IN
ndency of the times to shift financial d'
lrdens from the town TO the State OF
reasury. towns are tempted to set CT
nth their own neglect, in some in
ances, as reason why the state vi
lould aid in the support of highways M
their communities. di
If the state is to assume supervision as
highways, .hen state road COM re
ission should be formed to take the
hole matter in charge; and even if la
e state is simply to cooperate with pa
e different towns in cases of excessive ha
'rdship on the main lines of travel, co
should be made obligatory upon he
e States Attorney of every county to
tend in person every hearing and pro- ,
Il the interests of the state. "a
Good roads are Of the greatest i'm ao
rtance. An objection against the oy
esent custom is that it is without no
stem or order, with total lack of oa
iformity. so that the results, to a va
extent, ARE seen and known ia'
the people only when the biennial na
port Of the State Treasury is pub ou
he'd and the demands upon the State 'o'
easurer's report during the biennial e'
m. upon the public highways. GU
Your attention is called to the omis-
n of the law 10 provide for any suit WI
le publication of the conditions. cir yei
instances or localities where the mon sol
has been expended. AT
ira
Ia Windham County Court. Chas. Tn
wn pleaded guilty of the larceny of up
icycle, and was sentenced to two Es
lrs and three months in State prison. coy
schal A. Lowell pleaded guilty of da,
Iarpar1r Of "A brr-a ~.~....--.. 4