New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-17
GOOD ROADS BILL PASSED
ONLY THIRTY-NINE VOTES AGAINST 1T
IN THE ASSEMBLY.

ru.n ALREADY GONE THROUGH THE SENATE
AND NOW 1T ONLY NEEDS THE GOVERNORS
s1GNArURE-THE FINAL DEBATE on 1T.
Albany, March 16.-The NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Good Roads bill was taken up for final passage
in the Assembly to-day MIR. Coughtry' OF Al
lanv. offered an amendment that no highway
shall he constructed through any town the Town
Board Of which has not previously passed reso-
,ut,on that public interest demands the improve
ment Mr.. Coughtry stated In support or his
amendment thu. the people Of his district op-
posed the bill and Il had been demonstrated
that the present form Of dirt road was amply
sufficient for all needs IL brold-tired vehicles
were used.
Mr. Nixon spoke against the bill. He main
tanned that It ought to apply to cities OF the
first and second classes only. as they would be
most benftted and were the only parts or the
State wealthy enough to stand the expense IL
would be a great hardship 10 pass the measure
as Il would mean virtual con1scation OF large
sums OF money from poor taxpayers The STATE
Engineer might start out with retinue OF ser
wants and arbitrarily select route that woulo
not be wanted at all. one hundred million DOL
lars would not limit the expense In carrying OUT
the law. If enacted. Two communities separated
by a few miles might be forced into coming 10
some arrangement In conformity with the pro-
visions of the measure. Mr.. Nixon said In clos
ing that he would defy the State TO collect
dollar under the provisions Of the act
Mr. Litchfield asserted that he opposed the bill
because II was the overwhelming sentiment OF
his constituents that It was bad measure. IL
would cause the reckless expenditure OF many
millions of the peoples money.
MI Palmer commended that under the provs-
NP tha who ms
had no opportunity TO express his opposition.
He should be entitled TO such consideration
when his property was taken away. No other
county or town law taxed a man without CIV
ing him a chance TO appear before some author
ity and protest.
Mr. Perkins stated that he represented coun-
try district and that he had noticed that for
forty years rural sections had been deteriorating
while cites had been increasing in wealth and
Importance He laid this all TO the easy means
of communication in cities. Country districts
needed the same facilities
Don't you know. as a lawyer. that this bill
will really not give good roads," asked Mr..
Shultz
LAS a lawyer. I would vote for no measure OF
which l doubted the validity" answered Mr..
Perkins
Mr.. Armstrong closed the debate. He explained
the bill in detail declaring that Boards of Super
visors had two chances 10 decide on incurrirg
the expense or new roads Mr. NXOnS OPPOSE
tiCn merited a reference TO ChautauQua County.
II received $4,000 from the State for its schools
and paid out $4,000. The State proposed TO
give the county another present of good roads
in the same proportion. AS for economy, Mr..
Nixon had furthereG the highway crossings
project at an expense Of S250OO0, and had intro
drced many measures involving the expenditure
OF enormous sums. Cities at present paid So per
cent OF the expenses Of the State and would pay
IS per cent Of the good roads expense although
the country would benefit most.
Mr.. Nixon replied that he had introduced a
number of bills at the request of departments,
but that his personal bills for eight years had
amounted TO on,y 81 900. There would be an
other bill introduced next year for from 100000
TO S5OO.OOO, and thus the old dodge would be
worked Of entering the opening wedge
call of the house was moved and the bill
was passed. 80 TO 80. 1t now goes 10 the Gov
ernor, as 1t has already passed the Senate