The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1899-03-09
GOOD ROADS NOTES


Complete returns Of the Minnesota
State election show that the State aid
amen dment to the constitution has
been passed by the people by . vote
OF 10,0t3 to 3S,0l7. The returns only
recently have been completed, owing
to the unsettled condition OF the
northern and eastern portions OF the
State. This 10 the frat time that .
popular vote has been taken in any
State mon the good roads question,
aud the resuit ia . most emphatic in
dorsement OF State aid as its solution.
The Farmers National Congress, whicl
met at Fort Worth. Texas, recently.
passed. strong resolutions in favor o.
State aid and commenting the efforts
OF the Lea que OF American Wheeinel
toward its Introduction. The Min
nesnta vote is another notable iudorse-
mint Of the work of this organization.
The constitutional amendment Was
introduced at the session of the Min
neso.a Legislature by \. Il. Choasa,
81 Minneapolis, as the representative
OF the League of American Wheeimep.
aud it, rassage by that body was the
result OF his persistent and diplomatic
work III behalf of the measure. This
LEFT it to be submitted TO popular vote
for It's final assage. A strong educa-
tional campaign tor good roads was
carried on Ivy the league throughout
Minnesota last summer anil fail, with
the active assistance of tho Bureau OF
Road Inquiry at Washington and the
press of Minnesota. A large edition OF
pamphlets, explaining the State al
system OF l-buiIling and its a'lvan-
tages to farmers, was distributed aud
numerous articles and editorials upon
the subject appeared in the papers il
various parts of the State. The re-
sultiny vote for the amendment. Is a.
most two to one in its favor.
The Minnesota Legislature now
will take the necessary steps to put q
system of State all iuto operation,
such as - in force in New Jersey AMI
III sew York. Farmers especially
Will appreciate this, as it will enable
them to obtain durable highways
without being obliged to bear the en-
! tire expense, "a they do &C present. In
New Jersey anil New York the cost OF
roads built by State aid is divided be-
tween the State, the couuties and the
local taxpayers in the towns. Many
towns .availin themselves OF the New
York law are securing funds for road
building purposes from outside sources.
equal to Jour or five tunes that which
they ra,se themselves. Country tax
payers have learned taat State aid t.
roads provides means by which tn J
large city taxpayers and corporations
owning valuable franchises from the
State are made to share in the expense
aud that it remains optional with the
farming districts to avail themselves
Of this assistance or not, as they may
choose. This explains the popularity
Of State all in Miunesots and the
lar 20 vote in its favor.
The Benefit Of Good Roads.
At the sugs estion of General Roy
Stone, Director of the office of road
inquiry of the Department of Agricul
lure, the P"stoffice Department has
been making experiments with rural
free delivery of mails upon good roads
The object was to prove that improved
highways in country districts woulG
enable the Postofiice Department t.
operate rural free deliveries at about
half the present cost and time, thu!
permitting extension or twice-a-day
service at little additional expense
The postoffice officials selected fou1
routes in Burlington County, N. J..
for the test. These centre at tn
towns of Moorestown and Riverton
and lie over good stone roads. Il
most rural districts it has been fount
impracticahle. on account Of the high
ways, to deliver more than twelv
miles from the distributing centre. I
was found that at the test places il
New Jersey the mails could be deliv
cred twenty-five to twenty-four mile
away i'll the sane time usually take1
for twelve, or Instead there could b
two deliveries day for little NOR
than the usual cost OF one.-Washina
.oa Star.