The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-07-02

wanted-Good Roads Legislation.
One of the early bills to be introduced
In the Legislature will, we trust, be
we'll considered measure to forward the
work of providing improved roads IN
this state. 1t is known that leading
officials in the wheelmen's organization
are profoundly interested In this SUD
ject and it is hoped as the result OF
conferences held within the last Few
months that the opposition coming
from rural taxpayers, which has mere
tofore stood in the way OF road I'M
movement ON an extended scale, will
be largely disarmed, and the prospect
of enacting such a measure as is needed
thereby improved. Intelligent sent
ment everywhere. we are glad to De
lieve, is on the side of good roads, anu
there is no doubt that such sentfnent
is growing. Unhappily, there are not
lacking many signs that education on
the subject is required. The plan pro-
posed year ago was an mtelhgent
one. the result of careful study OF the
question by competent legislative
committee. But county after county,
through it's representatives sought to
be relieved from the operation or the
proposed law, until at.4ength the DIE
was so emasculated that little regref
was felt when it was abandoned alto
gether.
Object lessons ON the subject OF i'm:
| proved roads have not been wandlne
| for those who have cared to look out
/ side of their immediate neighborhoot
and of the borders of the State. Ii
only few parts of our own common
wealth has the work of providing pet
ter ways been taken hold of seriously
but the results in counties like Rich
| mond and Queens are conclusive as t
/ the benefits derived from such pol
i lev. From Massachusetts and Con
necticut information has recently COM
regarding the progress made in the las
wear. and 1T is most encouraging. Ii
the former State an appropriation 0
$500, 900 was provided year ago, an
/ In 1896 the number of miles OF roa'
built by the State advanced from ~ t
100. the work being done in many Gil
4 ferent localities, for the sake of bring
ing it's advantages before the eyes OF
large number of the people. An appre
priation of like amount will be sough
this year. There is strong feeling /
favor of continuing the poiicy entere
on three or four years ago, and nun
Der of Through routes" are conten
plated in various directions. Connec
icut proceeds in a much more modes
way. Its annual appropriation bein
limited to $75, 600. In the two veal
since the State undertook the work an
appointed highway commission, hoy
ever, the counties have contributed tf
same amount as the State, and mol
than $5OO,OOO has been raised by tt
| towns for road improvement.
New York still lags in the rear
States that in other respects are
more progressive. State pride, If not
ing else. should spur us to follow tt
good examples around US and make Ii
eraI appropriations for this most us
full and practical purpose. 1t IS not II
possible that in line with the sugge
tion of Gov. Black in his message pr
. / vision may be made by the Legislatu
, In connection with this matter for Il
/ employment of some of the State prfs'
: conyicts in road making. The SEN
. ment in opposition thereto, which b
hitherto prevailed to a considerable e
tent, should be lessened, If not
moved, by the necessity which exis
, for providing work for the prisonel
These men must have work. L
State needs roads. The putting of tt
: and that together seems q simple mi
ter. Whether or not the Goyerno
n hint is acted on, it is the urgent duty
n the Legislature and the Executive
see that the work of improving O
( highways is no longer postponed.-Ns
York Tribune.