The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-06-02

II is now becoming evident that the
farmers and others interested are be-
ginning to move in the right direction
to secure for themselves good roads.
In some States, especially the newer
ones, in order to guard against ap-
preparations by their State Legisla-
lures to railroads and other internal
improvements which may have only
local value, the constitutions are
framed to prohibit expenditures for
such purposes.
In Wisconsin the prohibition seems
to include public roads of all kinds
1t is now proposed by some of the AS
semblymen, in order to meet the needs
and demands of the farmers and others
for good roads, to have the Constitu-
ton of the State so altered as to make
an exception in the prohibition of
State expenditures in favor of ''wagon
roads designed to be used for free pub
lie travel.
If this change should be made it will
allow State appropriations for this pur-
pose, which will no doubt inaugurate a
new system of road making in this
State, that will, if wisely adjusted, soon
lead to constructing good roads where
in the citizens are willing to join in
helping to bear the expense.
New Jersey has tried the plan of aid
ing in the building of roads when peti-
toned by the property holders along
and adjacent to the road to be built,
these paying ten per cent. of the cost,
aud the State the larger part of the re-
mainder, the county being taxed for a
small portion. This legislation is in
the right direction, and although it
may not be fixed on any fast lines by a
statute applicable everywhere, yet it
may lee SO modified by other States as
to suit circumstances so that farmers
may always expect State and county
assistance in their earnest efforts to
make good roads.
1t is said that the farmers in New
Jersey are enthusiastic in favor of ex-
tending this system, which has been
so successful in their own State.
In this connection it should be re-
membered that the cost of building
roads has been greatly reduced from
what it once was, and from what il
would be to the farmers if they should
undertake it alone. Machinery fol
digging, for scraping and for placing
the dirt for the road bed in place has
been invented which works like q
charm, under the operation of steam
or horse power. Besides stone crush.
ers and methods of handling the
crused stone have made all this work
easy.
Finally steam rollers have been con.
structed and successfully used, which
will make the road solid and ready fol
use in few days, leaving it as smooth
as race ground. All this machinery
can be secured by the State or county
at a comparatively small cost, and viii
enable them TO build good roads at {
fraction of what it would cost without
their use. With State or county
ownership, these indispensable helps
can be used anywhere.
The ball seems to be starting to rol
in the right direction; let each one il
favor of good roads help to push, ant
it will soon roll over the whole coun
try and leave good roads everywher,
in its track.
1t will be worth many millions O
gold and silver to us as a people to hav,
good wagon roads everywhere over Tia,
country.
In some counties of Northern Ala
bama, and in North Carolina where
good roads have been made, farmers
now haul ten bales of cotton with the
same team and with less trouble thar
they could haul two bales before tn,
roads were improved. Their voice i
now for good roads, and so it will b,
everywhere where a change has beer
made in the right direction. Farm
News.