The record-union., 1893-07-15
NO INVASION OF TIE FARMERS
RIGHT.

In this matter Of the coming road con-
vention it is necessary to impress upon
the public mind that the good road agi-
tators do not contemplate more costly
roads than the counties now have, but
cheaper roads, lessened taxation and re-
duced cost of maintenance.
If these simple truths can only find
their way through the understanding Of
the agriculturists of the State the battle
will be won. 1t would seem that the
idea has seized upon a very large number
OF farmers that some one is trenching. or
attempting to trespass, upon their rights
in the matter of road construction; that
they, the farmers, alone are responsible
for the country roads, and that no one
should have the temerity to NEEDLE with
their methods.
This is a most grievous error. All the
people of the State are equally interested
in State building. ''Roadways are the
agents and the index of the culture to
which a commonwealth has attained"
says the Massachusetts Highway COM
mission. All social or economic life above
the most primitive conditions rests upon
the transportation of human beings or of
goods. Now every advance in improving
methods of transportation has tended to
destroy the earlier method of carriage
So it is that graded roads are superior to
and have supplanted trails, turf and dirt
roads, and graveled roads have super
seeded the graded, and Telford macadam
has made gravel secondary, and asphalt
planted macadam for short distances in
thickly settled communities.
Now all must concede that whatever
for nearly the same output will lessen
distance, motive power and wear and
tear in transportation, must beneficially
cheaper it. Scientifically built roads do
these things at a heavier first cost. it is
true, but in the estimation of four or five
years at a much less aggregate of cost,
and meanwhile confer unreasonable
benefits upon those to whose business
good roads are essential.
With Iessened distance, rapidity of
transit, lessening of wear and tear and
motive power, come enhanced land
values, improved social conditions, and
direct and immediate money saving.
The heavily arched road, clad with
round stones that never break but ever
grind, compared to the flat macadamized
smooth road, made Of broken stone that
packs and wedges and does not grind.
means to the user economy of time. in
creased profits on products, and a nearer
residence to town, with all the social and
civilizing advantages that follow.
Now, in the bringing on of such bene-
fetal conditions, all people having State
interest at heart have equal concern.
There is no reason whatever for the as
sumption that the farmer alone has the
right to Judge and act relative to country
farmers fully admit it. Unfortunately
some, however, hold that any suggestion
as to country road conditions that do not
come from farmers are impertinent and
interfering.
We beg all such to give the matter
thought with the view of removing this
false sentiment. If it is desirable for the
farmer to get easily, cheaply and swiftly
to town, it is just as desirable on the part
of the townsmau to have him do so. We
of the cities and towns are not limited in
our interest in the State to municipal
bounds, nor should the agriculturist be
circumscribed by rural conditions only.
The one chief loud complaint is that
there is an ever-increasing tendency on
the part of people to gather into the cities.
Now bad road is a wall between city
and country, excluding the people OF the
latter from the privileges and benefits OF
town life. and hence the young ruralists
climb over the wall The removal OF the