The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-09-19
Working For Good Roads,

the subject of good roads in that
State is going about its work in a
diligent and systematic manner.
1t has already visited a number of
the leading counties and held con-
situations with the boards of super
vlsors to learn what the condition
Is, of local public sentiment on the
subject, what plan is considered the
most feasible, and to help awaken
popular enthusiasm on the question,
and also to listen to recommends
tions and suggestions. This plan
will be followed until most, if not
all, of the counties have been visited
and then from this mass of infor-
nation and observation the COM
mittee Will evolve soma comprehen-
slve scheme to be reported to the
Legislature at its next session.
But New York is not the only
State that is doing good work in
favor of better system of roads.
The appropriation of Massachu-
sets for building roads this year
will be about 100000. Connecti-
cut will spend SIS, 900 for the same
purpose, and New Jersey s150,000.
New York would have had $250,000
to devote to road improvements
this year if the bill drafted for the
purpose had not failed to become
law. But while this was not
enacted into law some work will
be done, in addition to the investi
cation now being made by the
committee, under law which au-
thorizes the town boards and COM
missioners of highways adjoining
cities of not less than $4,000 popu-
lation to issue bonds for the
improvement of highways by grad
ing and matchmaking. The work
must be done under strict supervis-
ion and be of the best character.
Public sentimentin favor of good
roads has been awakened to re-
markable degree during the past
few wears. Some of this would
naturally have found expression as
the loss occasioned by poor roads
became evident to farmers. But
more of this interest is due to the
rage for bicycling. AS soon as thai
sport became popular, and riding
in the country was INDUCED in, thu
bad condition of country roads
became national question. l.
now the interest displayed can b.
rightly directed, the next twent.
| =
wears will see an entire TRANSITIONAL
ton in the condition of roads il
this country. A good move in thi
direction is the good roads parlia
ment called by Secretary of Agri
culture Morton, to meet in Atlanta
Ca. during the fair to be held il
that city. 1t is through such meet
ings that the latest and best lnfor
nation on the subject of good road
can be disseminated, and som
localities saved from making il
considered attempts which will hav
to be done over later.
There have been, some recen
efforts to check the growth of pub
lie sentiment in favor of good road
on the ground that the developmer
. of electricity as motive power wi
soon do away with the necessity
using roads for wagons. This is a
4 argument that will have lit
N weight with sagacious men. 1t
true that the trolley or some oth'
method of electric traction do,
seem destined to render the hor
- useless to some degree; but tn
does not argue that roads will n
be a necessity of the future. 1t
more probable that invention w
give an electrical carriage that W
&c demand good roads more urgent
g, % than the horse or the bicycl
There is little probability that tn
crusade against good roads c'
succeed. At least it ought not
influence the farmer, who knows
hard experience how burdensome
'e tax poor roads are on the transpc
tation of his products to markt