The Globe-republican., 1895-02-01
THE ROAD PROBLEM
ExtxAo3 31o0 . Paper Read as . Wloo00p
Oan Ihrmsrs' Instaxuse.

ExsxHo4 tRo0 . Paper Read as . WlDe0op
0ln Yaxmsrs' Institute.
Tho present system Of paying high
way taxes, aguratively designated -
working them out" is admittedly
bad and can be easily remedied. but
On attempt to make . change In this
direction would undoubtedly meet
with opposition. hence have avoided |:
discussing that subject. prcferring TO:
let the several propositions stand
alone and be discussed and considered:
on their respective merits. The sub:
ject Of good roads has received so:
much discussion In the public press:
lately, and there seems to be such .:
uniform consensus of opinion that:
something must be done in this direc-:
ton. little more remains to be done:
than to devise some general plan:
which shall not only be feasible but:
generally acceptable. Good roads
mean a great deal more than mere
convenience. They mean more than
saving money, which, however. is .
matter of no small Importance. They
mean a more intiu@te relationship be-
tween the city and country people, to
the mutual advanta. &c of both. They
mean that living in the country for
six months In the year shall not DO
practical isolation.
Poor roads keep The farmer and his
family at home al nat season of the
year when they have the most leisure.
when time hangs heavily, when it
could and would af!I to their enjoy
ment socially, and advantage educa-
tionally, if . frequent drive to the
town or city. or u visit among the
neighbors and friends living at dis
lance of a few miles, could be taken.
The longing of many young men and
women to escape from the farm Is
largely t-aceable to the isolation
caused by the mud embargoes. Good
roads mean better pr.ccs for the farm
ers located few miles away from the
market town, because the present con-
dition of the highways compels the
marketing of the products OF such
farms at the times when the roads are
good and the maI2cet prices usually
lowest. Good roads would permit the
average purchaser of farm produce
living in towns and cities to buy his
stock OF such articles at a lower price
than at present
Indeed it seems TO me that no more
important topic in 4 financial and So
cial way has of late engaged the at
tentiOn of the public. If, then, this
subject is of such prime Importance,
the necessity Of moving with great
care will be apparent. AS indicated
above, it seems to me wisest to COM
mence with a system OF country roads:
branching out from the county towns.
ultimately to extend from county seat:
to county seat. The enterprise being:
of such general public interest to the
people of the whole state, uniformity
in plan and entire freedom from local
influence in the selection of a route or:
the acceptance of work done being so:
important to general success of the
undertaking, the making of the plans;
and sur veys, and in a measure the;
general superintendent, should DO:
under the direction of a state en-
gineer, whose expenses should be:
borne by the state at large. Subject
to the general supervision of the state
engineer, the management Of the Inn:
provement should be under the con-;
troll of the county board or other
county official within their respective
counties.-C. E. Estabrook.