The record-union., 1894-04-07
OBJECTIONS no sTArE AID.

YorK state League for Good Roads, has
addressed a letter to Governor Flower.
advocating the policy of State aid in the
construction Of country roads. His idea
is that the State should furnish half or
quarter the cost of building at least two
good roads through each county. Gov
ernor Flower, a foremost advocate Of
good roads, has replied in letter doubt
ing if the time has come for that. and
expressing his faith as still strong in the
work of developing county good road
systems.
We are inclined to agree with the Gov
ernor, for the reason that good road work
is properly local work, and the cost
should be borne by those most immedi-
atelytinterested. Harper's Weekly says
that farmers as class minify the value OF
good highways. and magnify their cost,
and that it is a deplorable fact that the
main opposition to good roads proceeds
from those would receive the largest ben
eft from them. This is true in California,
where, as in New York. false economy
''clings to the custom of scratching the
surface instead of building firm and dur
able roads,"
But we do not see in this reason for
visiting upon communities that perceive
and do their duty, even a portion of the
money cost of building roads in sections
where the "deplorable condition" OBJ
tains which the Weekly laments. If
practical reform through county agen-
cies proceeds slowly" then let it so
move. 1t is inequitable to take from the
energy of some to stimulate others to
duty doing. Massachusetts has system
of State highways, but she requires the
counties or towns to build them, and if
they are then deemed of good construc-
ton, and related to the State system, the
State assumes custody of the roads, and
becomes bound for their maintenance.
To such a policy we cannot find any
strong objection. 1t proceeds upon the
principle Of encouraging self-hefptulness.
The Weekly says that only five coun-
ties in New York have acted with wisdom
in this matter, and gone on with good
road construction; why then should they
be again taxed to build roads for counties
less energetic and sensible? But we are
told that this is a proposition that seems
not only to justify but to demand State in
reference, because, since counties will not
build the roads. and the general public
needs roads, therefore the State should
supply the want, for good roads are not
Of local significance merely for they con-
meet centers of population with each other,
enhance values, and add to the aggregate
wealth of the State.
This is probably the strongest line of
argument the affirmative can adopt, but
it does not seem to US to answer the point
made that the chief and immediate bene-
from plain duty-doing. The State may
properly engage in educational work in
this matter; set up an Engineering Board
for counsel with and instruction of county
authorities, and to advise and instruct
them in road economics. as Massachusetts,
has done. and as is proposed for Califor-
mia. But to levy taxes in q western
county TO build roads in a far eastern one
would seem to be an unwise proceeding,
and departure from that State policy
which is opposed to paternalism.
Bounties by the State for road building
we think dangerous and unwise, besides
having the tendency to destroy self-help-
fulness and encourage that leaning upon
the State which is always an element OF
community weakness and dependence.
Because there is on foot plan in Cali
fornia to present this whole question
to the Legislature, and because it viii be
topic for discussion at the approaching
State Road Convention, 1t is well for the
people TO thus early give Ii due thought.