New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-26
4 SHORT STEP IN THE RIGHT WAY.

a
The HigbIe Armstrong Good Roads bill has
become a law thanks to an intelligent campaign
conducted with commendable energy and wis
dom by various associations and puphc-spiri'eu
citizens. We congratulate them all. including
Governor Black, who had the sauslacuon VI
putting his name yesterday to measure which
his frank support has greatly helped Inc ne"
law does not 20 so far as many road rerormers
wish It did but its advocates are confident tnat
Il Is the beginning OF practical movement
which will ultimately produce great results IL
IA an extremely conservative measure, much eA'
cited defamation IN the Legislature 70 the con-
trary Notwithstanding. Indeed. 1t does not pro
vide one dollar for road work, and or ltsei1
alone IA valuable simply as the formal proclama-
ton Of a new State policy. The Jealous propa-
eandists of the New-York State Road Improve
rnent Association however. accept 1t on that ac-
count as a warrant for increased activity IN the
cause which they have served so faithfully. and
would expect. even without n State appropria
ton. TO make some practical advance In the
course Of the year. 1t is hoped though, that the
supply bill will contain an appropriation OF
$4,000 to he applied in conformity with the
provisions Of the act
The law Is not only conservative, hut IS based
as it should be, on the home-rule principle
Aside from the scarcely appreciate burden
which even handsome appropriations would lay
upon the taxpayers in future years, no expendl-
ture can possibly be made except on local initia
tive. The Supervisors OF a county may ask the
State engineer for a survey and estimate OF the
cost Of Improvement Of n designated road, and
must do so on demand Of majority Of the own
ers of ahutting property. When the survey and
estimate are before them the Supervisors are to
determine whether or not the work shall be I'M
dertaken N they decide that II shall be, contracts
are 70 BE- let TO the lowest bidder. excepting that
resident bidders are favored to the extent Of 10
per cent The State pays one-half the cost out
Of the appropriation already made, the county
"a per cent and the town containing the road
* per cent no other town in the county paying
ANYTHING in addition TO the county tax, and no
other county paying anything. Local jurisdic-
ton is therefore guaranteed and an unwelcome
exercise Of authority can be rebuked at the first
local election.
AS for the argument, or rather the assertion.
made while the bill was under discussion, that
1t would lead to enormous and runOus extrava-
gance, there is nothing in 1t. Nobody can really
IN calm moments believe that successive Legis
latures each Of them having full control OF the
matter during its life, would continue to carry
on a work which was begga1ng a host OF pro
testing constituents. And an appropriation Is
the indispensable condition Of expenditure. No
appropriation, no road Improvement that year,
under the provisions of the act Progress can
be retarded or accelerated at any time, and the
investment. whether large or small is certain to
be profitable Moreover, It is morally certain to
be recognized as profitable by those who have
to make by far the largest part of the outlay.
On this point the testimony Of experience is
unanimous. AS we have said before, there are
few cases IN which even overwhelming proofs
are not subject TO some offsets To this rule
those most familiar with the facts declare that
there is absolutely no exception. Hostility. IN
difference, consent, conversion enthusasm-this |
Is the universal sequence Of sentiment wherever
road Improvement Is honestly and prudently
carried on. Every operation quickly justifes It.
self 10 those who have to pay for IT, and changes
every opponent into defender and promoter
Such has been the unvarying experience else |
where, and we have no doubt that 1t will be re- |
peated in New-York Only short step has been |
taken here, but 1t is prophetic of a great ad- |
vance