The Portland daily press., 1896-02-14
GOOD ROADS.
As Discussed at the L. A, w., National
Assembly.

AS DlbCuooC& az VtO HI AZ Wee NHtlVAal
Assembly.
Letter from sec-Treas., Richardson-"Far-
mer" Harrison Coming to Maine to
Tell Our Farmers How They Make
Good Roads in New Jersey.
Especial Correspondence
National Assembly L. A. W.. Feb. H.
Baltimore, the home Of the terrapin,
the festive bivalve and handsome women.
Two things only seem necessary to make
it very cyclers' paradise. These are
good drainage system, for the first thing
to strike ones eyes and nose in this burg
is sewage running in the open cutters
with decidedly New England wash day
odor, and good roads, for they ride here
S66 days this year. Sunday saw the New
England delegates to the National As
sembly OF the League Of American Wheel
men comfortably house at the Hotel
Rennert, Baltimore's BEST Delegates
from the various States kept dropping in,
a few at time, till Monday morning saw
ITO delegates representing III voters but
tonhollng each other in a manner that
would do credit toward politicians, and
which bodies i'll for the local politicians
in the various States who stand in the
ruts and oppose road reform. Monday
was Good Roads day, and was marked
by earnest business like meetings during
the forenoon and afternoon, and by O
love feast in the evening. TO write fully
the words of good cheer from COVE IN Ors,
congressman and mayors would fill more
than one page of print and this letter
will be limited to few Of the best.
Mayor Kennedy of Allegheny, Penn. told
how they got good streets in that city of
1870, 900 Inhabitants. To begin with, over
5000 personal letters were written to the
influential men asking them to support
a bond issue Of $500, 600 for better streets.
They got it. And what is more they
liked it so well that they got another
bond issue OF $500, 600, and then they
were not contented till they had $500, 900
more. just think Of it-$1, 500, 900 !!
What have been the results? Land which
was worth $1,000 an acre is now worth
$40, 900. and the increased valuation of
the city is far and beyond the expense;
and where the city was losing in popula-
ton it is now decidedly gaining, and the
two thousand vacant houses are now
|
built. But the point which was folcibly
put and somewhat new was this:
1t may sound strange but in my judS-
ment good roads and good morals go to-
Qether. We have in Allegheny very
many tenement houses situated on alleys.
had three alleys cleaned out and re-
paved mostly with vitrified brick, and
the people who inhabit these alleys.
They used to be reeking with filth,
the women and children dirty and un-
kempt You go through these alleys today
| and there is an entirely different look.
The women keep the alleys clean, sweep
ing and washing the new pavements,
and with clean streets they natura lily
keep themselves and their children clean"
But one of the hits of the day was
made by Farmer Harrison, Secretary
of the New Jersey Good Roads Associa-
ton. 1t was a simple tale Of the good
work in New Jersey, and the thoroughly
hearty interest which the farmers OF that
land of lightning and "skeeters'' take in
the movement. He is a typical farmer
in appearance and talk. He good ma
turedly guyed the cyclists His remarks
were full Of quaint practical wisdom,
and the truly rural members OF the next
Maine legislature are hereby notified that
they may just as we'll get ready to come
the Davy Crockett coon act and "come
agreed-if on this side the river Jordan,
to go ginning in Maine next winter
and it will be simply impossible for the
intelligent farmers Of Maine to resist
their witty brother from New Jersey.
The Good Roads banquet at the Club
House of the Maryland Cycle Club will
dwell long as fond memory in the hearts
of the delegates; the handsome hall
with its bright flowers and viyaoious
guests; the orchestra playing "Piper
Heidsick'', while the delegates were toy
ing with glasses Of the same-white label
excepting of course that the delegate
from Maine did not toy. John K. Cow
an, presidents of the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad at 80 odd years of age, made the
literary hit of the evening In response to
the toast, Wheels" He was bright
witty, and polished and kept the feasters
| in a constant roar of laughter. But the
| all around hit of the day was made by
Gen. Miles 10 his patriotic speech which
brought every man to his feet, with said
feet in the chairs, and the yell which
| went I'D would have sent the British lion
scurrying home with his tail betwixt his
legs had he heard it.
| Good Roads day has been decided
success. 1t marks d decided stride for
ward in the good work, and the League
in general and Isaac B. Potter in partic-
ular are to be congratulated ON this un-
qualified success.