New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-23
A BELIETER IN GOOD ROADS,
HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT is WARMLY
URGED BY DR. SENECA d. POWELL.
HE IS CHAIRMAN OF THE BICYCLE COMMITTEE
OF THE n. Y. A. c. AND AN ARDEN
MAN-RoADMAKING BY CON-
yIcrs THE SOLUTION OF
THE PRIsON-LABOR
QUESTION.


ore If the most enthusiastic riders OF the whee III
Newyork is Dr. Seneca d. Powell. OF NO. IL west
For,,etbst who has just been elected Tor sec
d ,,roo 40 chairman OF the Bicycle Committee OF
,ho vowyork Athletic Club lie began to ride III
the sprlrg OF 1884, and in short paper reau oeio'e
the Academy of Medicine In the following January
reported tina; he had reduced his weight ny '"e"'y
six pounds and his age by more tnah t"e"'y H
voars Tn his opinion. the bicycle affords the dcai
form Of exercise for the great majority oi peop''
uber used within proper limits, and In his pracuce
he has never seen n OF injury caused ny riu"s
a bicycle lie does no. regard the stoop'hs Po''.''
as likely to affect the spine or cause any ue'o'"''
on the contrary. he Is convinced that 'he use VI
the wheel no matter what the position taken by 'he
rider, has tendency to correct ialerai o"' "
the spinal column. 49,
In common with the great majority OF Cyclists
DR.. Powell is an ardent advocate OF good roads,
and believes that the State should lose no "'e i"
taking this important. matter IN hand /" ope''i'e
a conversation on the subject yesterday, ne salu'
II believe it is the duty Of the State to open up
what I may call veins for travel in all directions
and think II would he a wise thing to do from the
commercial point of view. / do not think good roads
should be advocated simply because they "ouu
make 1t easier for people driving ana wheenhs "
go from place to place. but because OF the dement,
they will have on the community IN general Inc
benefits of our railroads. canals and our rivers
doubts that they add largely 10 the value or the
land in the State. But it is not possible to nave a
railroad a canal or river everywhere, whle IL Is
possible for good roads to extend to every part OF the
State If the State undertakes the work OF con-
struct,ng them the counties will undoubtedly be
willing 10 do their part and in time the townships
will como in also and wonderful results Will be
shown.
Look at what has been done In Massachusetts IN
the few years since the work OF roadmakihg was
taken hold OF there People In ali parts o. the state
are eager 10 good roads. and large appropra-
lions are made for carrying on the work similar
system has also been introduced in Connecticut ana
The same results are there. In that state the
educational effect OF the building OF GOOD road mas
come under my personal observation.
Il own some property on the Sound. not far from
New-London There is a colony of about seventy
five there and We decided that 1t would he good
thing to build macadamzed road to Groton where
we take the ferry to New-London. The distance is
about miles and half The fame Of that road
mon thing TO from fifty TO one hundred bicycle
riders come over the ferry and ride up ana DOWN on
appropriation for extendin" the macadamized ROAD.
opportunity with their own eyes the benefits OF
improved highways"
What do you think. Doctor of the employment
of the convcts In the State prisons in building
roads," asked
that that furnishes the solution OF the question
Of providing employment for them. and there can
he doubt OF the obligation OF the state 10 Keep
them at work. Nothing could be more injurious
TO these men. physically and mentally and morally,
than keep them locked up In their cells III IDLE
ness. In fact, when they are sentenced 10 the
State Prison. they are sentenced to hard labor,
and the Stale Is bound 10 provide means OF Keep
ing them az work. 1t Is forbidden 10 employ
them at work that comes in competition with that
done by organized labor in general But In road
building there would be no competition Inc WORK
would be done cheaply, and think the results
contract II Hthe work should be let out to con-
tractors they would be anxious to make good
profit while II the State did the work there would
he question OF PROFIT involved: But the moral
side of the matter Is the most important Inc
State is under obligation to the criminal who IL
undergoing punishment. 1t has no right to lock
him In a cell give him nothing to do. and thereby
impair his health or his mind, or both. II Is not
surprising TO me, that with such prospect before
them convicts attempt TO make away with them
selves The State has a responsibility In the mat
ter that IL cannot evade. 1t Is bound 10 PROVIDE
employ ment for the convicts. and a comprehensive
scheme ought to be worked out and embodied IN
a law by which these men might he employed IN
making roads and repairing them for long term
What do you think Of the prejudice supposed TO
exist among people in the country districts against
having gangs of convicts at work near their
homes?" $3.50 .,, l.,
but II Is certainly possible TO have the work so
carried on that the convicts would not be source
of trouble danger. and the prejudice would grad
ually die out. Where gangs of workmen are en-
ployed in building railroad, the contractors nave
10 keep them under restraint TO prevent them from
being a nuisance In the neghborhood The state
would have every facility for caring FOR convicts
employed on roads. would guard them properly.
see that sanitary laws were observed etc. IL seems
working the men in small gangs, say of fifteen or