New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-17
ROAD INPROVEMENT.

rho snace given in the annual messages OF
tho Governors of various States TO the question
~ good roads Is indicative Of the growing pop
MAR interest I'm a question OF large importance
In all norts of the country 1t cannot De snu
that legislation has kept pace with the ueiiianu
for improyed roads, and even where laws nave
heen enacted they have not always accomplished
rho end I'm view In this State for example
,hrouph the influence Of Governor Flower law
w,s nassed two or three years ago which II WAS
believed would stimulate number or counties
IN engage I'm road construction on atproVeu
nrincinles But this result has not followed
M, n single county. we believe. has taken al
vantage Of the provisions OF that law. 1t Is
Main therefore. that additional legislation Is de-
maudcd IL New-York is to do its duty in pro-
yidinc good roads 1t is discredtabe circun'
stance that the main highway from Albany to
Buffalo is in a shocking condition in places, and
~ a whole Is unworthy Of great, rich ana
populous state The plan OF constructing Il
boulevard across the State by means OF convict
labor NAV not commend itself TO the sober judg-
mcnt Of rejecting citizens, bit surely II Is pos
sbe TO do away with condition of things that
Is little short Of disgraceful.
Governor Morton is in full sympathy with the
good "'
rhe subject in his letter Of acceptance. and in
his message he returned to II ana said: III
would seem desirable that the Empire State
should with It's characteristic progressiveness'
'be a leader In the establishment OF an ac-
"ccptable system Of road improvement extension
and maintenance" He then spoke or the pro-
posal that Il temporary joint commission should
be created by the Legislatures of various States
10 include besides members Of both legislative
houses representatives of rOad-improvemeni or
ganizations Il think" he added that the
"Icgisaturc might by a committee put Itself
lin communication with the National ana Stat"
authorities on the subject. and acquire all avail
able information rs 10 plans and experiments
with view 10 obtaining good roads. construct
led on wise and economical principles. through
| .'out the State" Unquestlonably much might
b. accomplished by cooperation on these lines
New York. at al events. has good deal to learn
from It's ncighbo Thus far New-Jelsey APP
pears TO have set an example for the rest of the
country in providing fine highways. number
Of counties have spent money literally for this
purpose and with excellent results. only few
months ago II was recorded that Morris County
had agreed to spend over 100000 in improving
| its roads. Union County already has more than
fifty miles OF macadan roads. An nrncle III me
Tribune on Monday showed that Hudson County
| Is providing fine boulevard nearly twenty
miles In length
PENNSYLVANIA also is aroused on the road qucs-
| ton Some of the observations on the subject
made by Governor PattsoI in his recent mes
sage apply with much perlinency TO this State
| as we'll "Wcll-groundtI complaint" he says.
| against the existing laws which permit tax
| payers to work out their road taxes is stead
| lily increasing. In these days IF organization
"and subdivision Of labor this relic of primitive
usage might probably be abandoned. The
time for periodical or spasmodic roadmending
| has passed The ordinary practical bust
| ness system OF maintaining any other valuable
| property subject to expensive wear and tear
needs to be applied 10 public roads and any
! Legislation which can promote this or remove
| existing distractions 10 IL merits approval
| These are sensible suggestions. and they fl this
| State closely. II is high time that something
| WAS done 10 insure better roads for the people
| Of NcwYork The legislator who can devise a
| practical method OF M least making beginning
| will be public benefacor.