Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1895-05-30
Correspondence.
Stntc Rnnds in Mhssac hnsctts.

To the Editor Of the american;
For the past three years the press of the
United states has sothoroughly discussed
the different advantages OF good roads,
and so universally endorsed this reform,
that all classes of our citizens appreciate
the necessity of, and are anxious for, the
immediate adoption of such laws as will
hasten the construction of state high
ways.
Massachusetts has from he outset taken
the lead in this matter, and the spirit OF
her legislature has been shown by making
the highway commission permanent
one, and by appropriating 100000 to be
expended, under the immediate super
vision of the commission, in constructing
new and rebuilding old roads.
As a natural result of the popular agita-
ton, the United States recognized the
necessity OF a move in this direction, and
under .the agricultural bill" made q
special appropriation of $4,000 to meet
the expense of a careful investigation into
the condition of roads throughout the
country. 1t il gratifying to learn that
more than a scere Il states have already
passed new road laws, while nearly all
The others are planning iur the adoption
OF measures fer the promotion OF this re-
form.
Experience ha~ shown that the coarse
pursued ~ Massachusetts : the one
which commeaas Itself most strongly
both to the people At large aud to their
legal representatives. the various state
legislatures. and II ) natural to suppose
hat if.all We're familiar with the work
here the know ledge would be utilized to
bring about similar legislation wherever
the method Of procedure : still unsettled
For, this reason would call to your at
tention and urge upon you the advisable
ity Of enlightening your readers on the
good:work we have already aecomplls
Starting lin June, 1892, a temporary
commission was appointed to examine
into the condition of the roads, and to
draft bill providing for the improve
ment of the highways OF the common
wealth. The law suggested by the com
mission was. with some changes, passed
in June, 1898 but. before any petitions
for construction of state highways were
submitted to the general court, an act
was introduced and passed June 20, 1891
increasing he powers of the commission,
and permitting he selectmen OF any town,
~ 49,. ,,o,-,,ro, "a al,-,,,,, Of any. ci,v a.
,..Ilas or,,,,,,, commissioners +, n,tition
the highway commission for taking roads
&c s,eta bi.,hwevs In r,1ar,.. Of spbmit-
+be Io,,i.}otrrea sa,,ar,,e t.ili for
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WOW.
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te-sto+a COMMUNICATION, ,.i1 he benefited
rrba - ,,.iII ,,er,,,i,
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- ions
~ 49,, ,l,,,,e. ,1,,.,,,.,,, l. ,,-.,ferred
&c i is ,l,re IT., mol i, bira th.. nao-
,,la +ha ar, - rood t,,itdino orJ rrotacts
tha sto+e 400 i,,st cheo,,epine, rho work nv
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