Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-02-16

Inc HOau convention.
The road problem was thoroughly dis
cussed from almost every standpoint at the
convention in this city Friday, as will APP
pear from the extended report OF the pro
ceedings printed elsewhere, and as this was the
special object Of the gathering the couven-
ton is entitled to he regarded as distinct
success. Some excellent rs we'll as practi-
cal ideas were presented and the result
ought to be seen in improved highways in
ali parts OF Vermont, and especially in
Chittenden county for the benefit OF which
the convention was in particular called.
The investigation of the road problem in
thickly populated and wealthy districts is a
far different thing from the study of the
question as applied to a sparsely ssttled
State like Vermont and the msmbsrs OF the
convention very soon found themselves
very important fact The practical result
of tho exchange OF ideas seems to have
been embodied in the statement by Gov.
Fuller that there are worry few towns in
Vermont which can afford to bond them
selves for the purpose Of improving their
roads. In general the towns should, for the
present thoi oughly drain their roads,
round up and repair their roadbeds with
the best quality OF gravel obtainable aud
make the surface smooth and servceable
by the liberal use of the heaviest
possible rollers. There are humorous
cross roads, as well as other highways in the
State which are used but little by the gen
eral public and which lead by comparative
ly few farm houses. 1t would be manifestly
Impractical to ma cadamize roads Of this de-
sCrption, although there are undoubtedly
sections of such highways which could be
improved according to modern methods
with advantage to the public as well as
profit TO the abuttug property owners.
The moro populous towns should at once
make arrangements to improve all of their
highways, and the principal roads in every
town should be gradually macadamized for
tho present, as large q section possible
being constructed each year. This is espe-
cially true OF the principal highways lead
ing to the villages, which the farmer would
most use in hauling his produce to the rail-
road and in going to tho mill, the black
smiths shops the store, and the church. 1t
districts which are able to com
mand the necessary funds macadamized
roads will prove to be more economical at
the end Of given torn of years than would
common soil roads. If there are any sec
tons of the State where the residents doubt
the advisability OF building roads of this
nature wherever possible and practicables
let one Of the worst pieces Of road in the
town be macadamized the coming season,
so that after the fall rains the people can
ride over it and ses for themselves tho diff
ference between good highway and road
covered with mud knee deep
Those towns which have already decided
to macadamize portion OF their highways
can profit by the experience Of Brattleboro
as stated in the report OF the convention
proceedings. That town began by expsnd-
! ing $4,000 in the purchase of the necessary
machinery, and it has succeeded in con-
| structing good roads fifteen feet wide,
, It cost Of $500 mile, and a road bed
/ twelve feet wide can be built for about
| $4,000 a mile Towns which bond for the
purpose of improving their highways will
| thus divide the expense with PROSPERITY that
viii enjoy part of the benefits thereof, and
there are numerous arguments for the adop-
| ton of such a course.
! 1t is undoubtedly mistaken idea that thu
permanent improvement of our highways
should be postponed until road makers are
turned out from our educational institutions
qualified to direct such work. II, as
s,atel, there are only fifty good
road makers in the country, there is
practically ono for each State and
territory. Every town in our State should
have practical road- maker for its commits
sioner, and tho same thing is true of other
states which have adopted law similar to
ours; and to wait for supply OF men
| literally educated wonld be to deprive the
present generation ct the benefit of good
roads. Every town in the State which has the
means can do as Brattleboro and some other
places have iono and begin next season
TO construct good highways. Not all OF the
roads in every town eau be improved al
once, but pbor section of highway can be
taken ia hand aud beginning made under
competent directions. Lot tho progress be
ss slow "a may be desirable but lot the worl
begin next season Immediately SO that tn.
people OF every town IN the State can see fol-
themselves the difference between poor road,
and good roads.
Clippel from Caraln "Presbyterian, under
signature Of {. Elackett lob!nson, Prop'r