The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-04-23

GOOD ROADS IN BAD HANDS.
Good roads are such an important
economic factor, such promoters Of pub
lie comfort, such helps 20 the advance
Of civilization. that 10 is a great pity
that the recent agitation for better
highways which promised TO accomplish
so much good should have been seized
upon and made fantastic by the Coxey
army. And when we read that a citizen
Of Washington city has contributed 10
the Coxeyite cause six-horse tally-ho
coach. from the roof OF which the Cos
pel Of coed roads is 20 be preached
across country, we are almost prepared
20 cease from the advocacy Of a cause
that is in danger of becoming ridiculous
through the championship Of cranks.
Yet the movement has gone so far In
the older states at least, aud the econ
omies that might be secured are SO
great. that the problem must be Crap
pied with by sound-thnkng men, citi-
zens who pay taxes and who suffer most
from bad roads and profit most by good
ones.
The recent visit Of the secretary Of
agriculture Of the United States, the
governors Of New York and Pennsyl-
yania to New Jersey 10 investigate the
road legislation of the lattes state
shows what hold this question is get
ting on the public mind. An exhaust
i've report on the New Jersey system
from three officers would be an inter-
esting contribution TO the literature OF
this subject. The public know little Of
the practical scope Of the New Jersey
law except that it provides for county
control Of the highways, supplemented
by state aid Whether laws applicable
TO such a state as New Jersey-a sub
urban state, 1t might be called-where
the population is comparatively dense
and roads are easily constructed, would
work good results in larger states Of
sparser population is a debatable prop
osition.
Ex-Governor Beaver, Of Pennsyl-
wanna, who has given close study 10 the
problem n that state. frankly confesses
that be has not vet been able % sur
mount some Of tho obstacles he has en-
countered. In the first place the aver
age citizen becomes quickly sensitive
whenever the subject Of taxation is
preached. Nothing 80 quickly puts him
in an attitude OF defiance or antagonism
rs a proposition 20 impose a new tax or
TO change the amount OF mode Of i'm
posing and collecting an old one. Here
lies one OF the chief difficulties in the
way Of securing road improvement. II
We were starting the question afresb,
with the knowledge and experience
which we have gained in the past, it
would be comparatively easy; but when
you propose 20 increase local taxation
for road purposes, or % change the
mode OF collecting an amount equal to
what has heretofore been levied, in
other words, when you propose 10 re-
quire the ordinary citizen who has
worked out" his tax for many years 10
pay "a like amount in cash you then
place HIM az once in attitude Of opposi-
ton and defiance.
Our newer states find much less Diff
Guilty In dealing with this subject than
those which have been building roads
under laws which related % primitive
conditions for 100 years or more. Their
people carry with them into their new
homes the best results attained in their
former homes. They have nothing 70
undo They begin upon new foundations,
and as a result their building is appar-
emily in advance Of what has been
reached il the old settlements. This ID So.
doubtless, IN the matter o. public roads
u Is especially true as 10 road lerisla-
ton. II tho legislation iu tho several
states within tho last five years relating
q this subject be examined 10 will Ds
apparent that the newer states have a
decided advantage over tho older ones
IN providing for the construction and
maintenance ~ good roads. Tho state
a. Washington, called tho Pennsylvania
oi tie west, has enacted 40 least three
practical and effective road laws since
$3.50 The state Of Pennsylvania has
beeu all that time vainly eudeavoring Ia
secure such changes ln existing laws as
viii enable the advocates Of good roads
to make "a start 10 tho direction Of re-
form aud Improvement
Still, in all the states there are differ
ences 70 harmonic a.nd vexeJ questions
= settle, whether - customs are deer
rooted or new ones are % be- established
The friends o. road reform are not
agreed us u the authority which shal
control the laying out aud construction
q public highways. There are disad
vantages iu the township " town sys
tenn which prevails iu many n our Older
states. There are less but stIl seriou.
objection 20 county control IL would
seem as II the state could moro easil,