The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-07-02

r. study the experiences of 9th
er States that have already
taken hold of the good roads
movement, New Jersey, for instance.
which is well in the lead. The good
roads movement is young there, dating
back n few years only, yet New Jer-
sey, less than one-quarter the size of
Louisiana, already possesses 532
miles of the best roads in any coun-
try.
New Jersey has n Commissioner OF
Public Roads, and his report, just pub
lished, proves that the great growth
and prosperity of the State-for no
State is more prosperous just now-is
due to the splendid condition of its
highways and to their extension and
Improvement.
The laws of New Jersey have exer-
cised the best influence on road build
ing. They are based on the theory
that a road is not exclusively for local
use, but is highway between distant
points in which the whole public and
the State itself is interested. An ener-
getic community may have excellent
highways, but if the neighboring com
munities are not interested these good
roads Will be of only limited benefit.
a good road can be secured in New
Jersey wherever the owners of two
thirds Of the land fronting on the
highway will agree TO pay One-tenth
of the cost. The township may then
improve the road, paying siXty-seven
per cent. of the cost and the State will
pay the remainder. Under the County
Aid law the State pays third of the
cost of road Improvement and the
county pays two-thirds, less one-tenth
assessed on the abutting property hold
ers. AS the county roads usually con
meet at the county line they. when i'm
proved in several adjoining counties,
make long, continuous improved high
ways. The consequence is that splen-
did public roads extend from one end
of the State to the other.
The system has proved popular In
New Jersey, especially with the farm
ers. The money expended on building
roadways is not raised ny direct taxa
ton, but by the sale of bonds, the
payment of which is distributed over
a term Of years, so that there is no
complaint on the score of taxation.
The legislature, finding that too much
money might be expended on road
ways, fixed limit to the amount that
may be used for that purpose. AS n
consequence, there are more claim
ants for appropriations than can be
gratified. On this point the State Com
mission of Highways says:
THE people seem to be so wonder
fully impressed with the idea that by
good roads the value of lands will be
increased, transportation cheapened,
travel and business attracted. school
houses and churches filed and civili-
cation advanced, that they are pray
ing as earnestly for them as for great
riches. Consequently the pressure for
new roads is so great it seems almost
impossible to hold the people back.
They are so nXious that they are not
willing to confne themselves within
the limit Of the State and County APP
propriations. They are constantly in
sistiug upon building ahead of the
State appropriation, in order that they
may enjoy them now; therefore. al
though the law, on account of the in
creased expense of construction, will
not allow for the payment this year
of more than eight miles Of roads.
there have been and are about 40
miles under construction"
Could there be any better evidence
than this of the success of good roads
and these results, IL is to be remem-
bered, have been accomplished in a
very few years. Louisiana has every
possible incentive to go heartily into
this movement for better highways.
There is no reason why Il should not
be as successful as New Jersey IL 1t
inagurates the good roads movements
heartily and earnestly. Orleans
Times-Democrat