The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-03-21
Prospects for Better Roads.

Friends of the movement for better
country roads find much encouragement
for its ultimate success in the interest
taken in the subject in this country and
Canada. Although the realization of
system of stone roads, traversing our
vast domains in every direction and
opening up practically isolated sections,
is yet distant, still the widespread con-
Germ and desire manifested for more
light on the subject are sufficient cause
for congratulation. Plans for highway
Improvement which a few years ago
were viewed by the great majority as
chimerical and visionary are now deem
ed comparatively easy of accomplish
ment, and on every hand are signs show
ing that the concensus of public opinion
is for securing highways that may be
safely and comfortably Travelled at all
seasons Of the year.
Yet while general interest in the mat
ter has been awakened it is fact to he
deplored that the class of citizens who
would be most benefited by the pro-
posed improvements are strangely apa-
thetic and evince little desire to give
their influence to the enterprise.
The farmers of this country must be
aware that great waste of labor is in
volved in hauling their products over
rough country road even when it is at
its best, and during the rainy seasons of
fall and spring a trip to market is made
only with great difficulty. The wear
and tear on stock and wagons is enor-
nous, and the vexations and fatigue of
such a journey should also be taken
into account. What contrast is pre-
scented by the roads of Europe, where in
all weather, wet or dry, the scientifical-
ly constructed highways remain smooth
and hard
To the items of wear and tear and
waste of force may justly be added the
expense of feeding horses during peri
DDS of enforced idleness because of the
impassability of the roads. The indi-
vidual may regard this as of small con-
sequence and charge it to necessary ex-
penditure, but in the aggregate it
amounts to many million dollars that
are annually lost to the tillers of the
soil. But the farmer is not alone in
bearing this tax. Every citizen of this
country, producer or consumer, feels its
weight. To the one it means direct
loss, to the other increased cost of the
necessaries of life.
1t is hopeful sign for the better
ment Of roads, however, that II states
have recently passed new laws on the
subject and others are at present deal
ing with the question. The principal
point is, of course, the financial one
but it is not insuperable, and the expe-
rience of communities already In posses
sion of improved highways shows that
every dollar thus expended will be re-
turned many fold Not alone will farm
produce be transported with greater ia
cility but communities so blessed are
much more desirable as place of resi-
dence from a social point of view. Who
that lives in the country has not felt
the loneliness and solitude of farm life
when communication with the outside
world has been stopped by a barrier of
muddy roads as impossible as the Chi
nese wall?
The agitation and practical work now
being done can have but one result, but
to hasten the fruition it is necessary
that every citizen use his influence for
better country roads.
W. II. Bdllinger.