The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-21

/ take Leave moreover. 10 express the
strong hope that Virginia especially VIII
not be behind the other States in adopt
ing wise legislation for road improve
ment. The attention OF the whole coun-
try has been directed 70 the many ad-
vantages Of the State 70. immigration and
investment. and if Virginia takes definite,
positive. and active stcrs 10 improve her
roads. the only barriei 10 the entrance
Of capital and immigration will be re-
moved.
( have Doth privately and publicly
recommended the purchase Of Virginia
lands by northern and western farmers.
but / ind unfortunately fhat some OF
those who have purch1aed IN the season
when the roads are passable, are now dis
posed 20 sell at loss. ipon finding them
selves hlockaded by thf condition OF the
highways.
The bin YOU send mo B. certainly credi-
table 10 the industry ami ability OF your
organization. and you have my very best
wishes In your patriotic work.
Respectfully.
7. STERLING MORTON.
Secretary.
Mr. Anderson then carefully reviewed
the bill and explained iis various provis-
ions.
EXPERT FROM Kew JERSEY.
Mr. L. c. Harrison, secretary Of the
New Jersey Road improvement Associa-
ton, was the next speaker. lie repeated
the invitation extended by Mr.. Bryan,
and asked that not only the members Of
the committee. but all others who were
sufficiently Interested I'm the subject would
come 10 New Jersey and look for them
selves. He said that seveuty-hve members
of the New York legislature had recent
D. I..t Ia a 50 81
had left their State wrangling over the
subject. nearly every one of them having
introduced a bill OF his own on the mat
ter, but after looking at the roads IN
New Jersey the lower house OF the Aew
York Legislature had within ten days by
a majority of 90 ] passed "a bin similar
10 the law now In existence bon New Jer-
sey
The law Of New jersey. Mr. Harrison
continued. originated with the farmers.
AT first only a few Of them We're in favor
OF ii. while the Others approved ii. Be
fore its introduction Eve counties OF the
State had improved their roads under the
bonded act The opposition TO the new
law was caused by the dread OF Increased
taxation. The state appropriation for the
first year was started q $4,000. but at the
request Of the members it was cut down
90 $4,000 before the law enacted. The
either OF these two years not more than
$1,000 was expended as State aid for that
purpose on account of the opposition on
the part of the counties. During the
third year. however a change came over
tho residents of the rural districts. and
the sum Of $4,000 was given and used as
State aid In the Improvements of the
| roads. and the next year that amount
was increased TO 800 co., The results were
I to. "a sr
four years ago could only haul forty
baskets of truck. or one ton Of manure
| over the unmproved roads. he is now
able 90 haul with the same team $50 10
20O baskets OF truck and from three to
! four tons Of manure at the time
AS another important point Mr. Harri-
son mentioned the fact that since the
| Improvement Of the public roads the at
tendance at the public schools had greatly
| increased.
GENERAL ROY STONES VIEWS.
General Roy Stone. of Washington. next
| addressed the committees. lie stated that
| the work undertaken was of exceeding
| Importance and the most absolute neces-
sity for the state in order 10 reserve its
agricultural industry. IF YOU put Nir-
gnia on the highway of good roads" he
said. you start her on the highway OF
] SUCCESS. nope 40 TAKE you ~ a Sliiilhi
place. where the farmers were discour-
! aged on account Of the bad roads. but
now after they have made the needed i'm
prOvements they are prosperous. The
| proposed bill Is "A step I'm the right direc-
| tiOn for Virginia has 80 many induce
| ments. IL would be the garden Of the
! whole country, on account OF the soil
| climate. etc, II 10 was only better access
able. Immigrants would come here By
| the thousands If the roads were In good
| condition. Some people come here and
! buy land. usually on some forced 1les,
where the property il sold at "A tremen-
| dous sacrifice simply because the roads
are so bad.
Kentucky. which formerly was part
Of Virginia. is prosperous, because II
| has splendid roads. North Carolina has
| made a start In improving It's roads, OHIO,
| California. Massachusetts, Connecticut,
New Jersey. all have good roads, and
| are In healthy financial condition. and
! New York is following In the same line.
| The main object is 20 induce the towns
| and cities 10 contribute something 10
] the building OF good roads You Will
| however. never succeed II YOU leave the
/ whole burden 10 the farmers. / urge
Won 10 accept the invitation 10 20 with
| the representatives of the Department OF
| Agriculture 10 New Jersey Your Cover
nor has already accepted the invitation,
| and the PENNSYLVANIA Railroad Company
has agreed 10 furnish free transportation
| TO all who wish 90 go. while the Good
Roads Association VIII bear the Incl
| dental expenses.
THE ASSOCIATIONS WORK.