New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-15
W4NTED-GOOD ROADS LEGISLATION.

| One of the early bills to be introduced in
| the Legislature WILL we trust, be WELDON
| sidered measure to forward the work of pro-
| vdng improved roads in this State. 1t is
| known that leading officials in the wheelmen' :
| organization are profoundly interested In this
| subject and 1t Is hoped as the result of CON
| ferences held within the last few months that
| the opposition coming from rural taxpayers.
| which has heretofore stood in the way OF road
Improvement on an extended scale, will be
largely disarmed, and the prospect Of enact
ing such a measure as Is needed thereby inn
proved. Intelligent sentiment everywhere, we
are glad to believe. is on the side of good roads
and there is no doubt that such sentiment Is
growing. Unhapply there arc not lacking
many signs that education on the subject Is
required The plan proposed year ago was
an Intelligent one the result Of a careful study
Of the question by a competent legislative COM
mittee. But county after county through its
representatives sought to be relieved from the
operation of the proposed law. until AT length
the bill was so eInasculated that little regret
was felt when it was abandoned altogether.
Object lessons on the subject of improved
roads have not been wanting for those who
have cared to look outside Of their immediate
neighborhOOd and of the borders of the State
In only few parts Of our own Commonwealth
has The work Of providing better ways been
taken hold Of seriously. but the results In coun-
ties like Richmond and Queens are conclusive
az to the benefits derived from such policy.
From Massachusetts and Connecticut nforma-
ton has recently come regarding the progress
made in the last year and ii Is most cncourag-
ing In the former State an appropriation of
100000 was provided n year ago, and In 1896
the number Of miles of road built by the State
advanced from elghtynine to 100. the work
being done in many different localities. for the
sake of bringing its advantages before the eyes
Of large number of the people. An appropria-
ton Of a like amount will he sought this year.
There is a strong feeling in favor of continuing
the policy entered on three or four years ago.
and n number Of through routes" arc contem-
plated In various directions Connecticut pro-
ceeds in a much more modest way. its annual
appropriation being limited to $4,000 In the
two years since the State undertook the work
and appointed a Highway Commission. how
ever. the counties have contributed the same
amount as the State and more than 100000
has been raised by the towns for road improve
ment.
New-York still Iags in the rear Of States that
I'm other respects are no more progressive.
State pride. if nothing else. should spur us
to follow the good examples around us and
make liberal appropriations for this most use
full and practical purpose 1t is not impossi-
BILE that, in line with the suggestion Of Gov
ernor Black in his message. provision may be
made by the Legislature in connection with this
matter for the employment Of some Of the
State Prison convcts in road-making. The
sentiment in opposition thereto which has hth-
crto prevailed to considerable extent, should
be essened If not removed. by the necessity
which exists for providing work for the prison
ers These men must have work. The State
needs roads. The putting OF this and that to-
gether seems simple matter. Whether or not
the Governors hint is acted on. 1t Is the urgent
duty Of the Legislature and the Executive to
see that the work of improving our highways il
not longer postponed.