News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1893-01-12
fhe Movement for Good Roads.

One of the good signs of this year
1898 is that the year will see the de-
velopment of an intelligent, deter
mined and well organized movement
in behalfof good roads. It's not to be
expected that a great deal will be ac
complished in the way of constructive
work in the first year Of this move
Ia, ut, but its character is such that
the public attention will be surely
aroused, and a strong public senti-
ment created. Last October, in Chi
cago, the national league for good
roads was formed. Its plan COM
templates the formation Of state
leagues In every state, and local
leagues in every county or school dis
trict. Gov. Fuller has interested him
self actively in the movement, Yer
mont league was formed during the
session of our legislature. Maine has
since followed suit, a strong senti-
ment in favor of road reform has
been at work in New York and New
Jersey for two or three years, and
the movement is pretty sure to be-
come general in all the older north
ern states before the end of the year.
The six broad, general purposes
which the league has in view are:
1. To combine, as far as practical
BILE the efforts of all persons now en-
gagged in the work of road reform.
2. To awaken interest in the sub
ject among the people at large.
3. To receive, publish and discuss
any well-considered plans for local,
state, or national action or legisla-
ton.
4 To urge the passage by the
house of representatives of the SEN
ate's bill for a national highway
commission of inquiry.
5. To aid in providing for a prop
er road exhibit and for free instruc-
ton in road-making at the Worlds
Fair in Chicago.
6. To establish the league upon
the broadcast possible basis through
out the country, so that it's influence
may be of weight in any direction in
which it may be thrown.
The work of the league will pro-
coed on the general basis that, re-
markable as has been the progress of
the country in a thousand ways dur
ing the last half century, in the mat
ter of road-making we are away be-
hind the times. Compared with Eng
land, Germany and France we are
not much better than barbarians, in
respect to our roads in country dis
tricts. This state of things is due
or n
and to lack of appreciation of the
difference, on economic grounds, be-
tween good roads and poor roads.
Circulars and pamphlets of practical
information will be prepared for dis
tribution, and a league paper or
magazine will be published as soon
as subscriptions or other funds for
its support are in hand.
IU is suggested, as one of the surest
and best ways of reaching the farmers
that men familiar with the subject
and competent to talk upon it, be
sent to address the farmers Institutes
in the various states The impor-
lance of compelling teams which do
heavy work on country roads to
have wide tires, propOrtiOnate to the
work, will be urged as one of the
primary features of the reform. 1t is
a significant fact that railroad men
are among the first to take hold of
movement. This is because it is
recognized that good highways are
the best feeders to the railroad sys-
tenn.
All hail to road reformers. Their
work is needed, and there is room
enough for us all to serve in their
ranks. -BrattlebOrO Phoenix.