The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-08
FOR GOOD ROADS.

The recommendation of Gov. Clough
in his message, that the legislature act
with reference to road Improvement in
Minnesota, is one of those which should
receive the earliest attention of the
legislature. While the suggestions of the
message are not so specific or complete
as they might be, this rises, doubtless,
from an unwillingness to seem to die
tate to the legislature any particular
policy. The experience Of other states
has supplied us with ample information
OF the best way in which to go to work,
and the legislature should find no
difficulty in framing a law suitable to
our case. Even yet nobody estimates
truly the importance and value to the
people of systematic general read i'm
prOvement. The cheapening of prOduc-
ton and the saving to the producer
by system of improved highways
would be greater than all the reductions
in railroad rates that have been made
or can be made if they were carried
The amelioration of social differences
in the country, the abolition of that iso-
lation which is the great drawback to
rural life and the actual addition to
the cash value of farm properties are
benefits positively incalculable. So
that, from the practical point of view,
there is no subject relating to the de-
velopment of Minnesota and the pros
perity and happiness of its people that
can take precedence of the construction
of good roads.
Now, the first step is to know how to
go about it. That other communities
can tell US quite clearly and precise
Iy. To be worth anything at all. a
road must be constructed scientifically.
The system Of intending" roads in vogue
in this country from colonial times
is worse than nothing. All labor and
money so expended are utterly wasted.
There is but one kind of road that de-
serves the adjective good and that is
a highway constructed under compe-
tent engineering supervision according
to scientifically approved methods 1t
must have a substantial foundation. a
good surfacing and a careful system of
inspection and repair. These matters
should not be left to local guidance.
There ought to be a state engineer for
read construction by whose directions
the work must be carried on every
where. Along with this should go the
county system of construction, as out
lined by the governor, with reasonable
state assistance. For the state itself
to go into the business of building high
ways in general would be to overbur-
den the people and to invite the
abuses that enterprises of such magni-
tude always encourage.
The county system brings the mat
ter within SO small an area that the
people can easily look after their own
interests and see that their own money
is properly expended. If we had a
state engineer to look after road con-
structiOn and a law by which each
county could organize for the work,
designate the highways to be improved
and appropriate funds for that purpose,
with the agreement that such county
could draw upon the state treasury
for assistance to the extent of a GER
tain fixed percentage of the money that
it had itself contributed, it would make.
according to our idea. a comprehensive,
safe and effective arrangement for the
promotion of good roads. We hope
earnestly to see something of this sort
put into effect during the present
Legislative session.