The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-07-08
Good Roads Legislation.

Yesterday representative of The
Free Press took sixty mile drive in
Blue Earth county. covering no little
amount of territory, and he enjoyed
the beauties of the garden spot OF
southern Minnesota. 1t was magni-
fcent day, day made to order for the
celebration of Americas Independence.
The grain looked fine, and if the elements
do not do their worst from now until
harvest is over very large crop will
be garnered. The roads travelled were, in
the main, in excellent condition, but
those that have been under cultivation"
by some of the pathmasters were aw-
full This leads us back again to dis
cussion of good and bad roads. We are
naturally forced to ask the question,
how long must the people submit to
the outrage that is perpetrated upon
them annually by road overseers who do
not understand the first principle of
road making. or road repairing? The
horrible condition of one of the high
ways that it was our misfortune to
travel over yesterday while en- route to
this city, is enough to cause a mild
hammered individual to resort to lang
uage that would not look well in print.
Also we are compelled to reiterate that
the present system, under which road
repairing is done, is bowling farce.
The particular road referred to has
surface like razor-back hog, and horses
and buggy must take to side hill that
lies at an angle of fifty-two degrees, not
to mention the number of ruts that
makes riding very unpleasant. The gen
tleman who superintendent the work on
this road should certainly write book
on "How to Build Highways" and then
rest from his labors with the expecta
ton of drawing down annually hand
some royalty from the sale of his pub
LEGATION.
The Free Press during the two years
last past has had much to say on this
good roads question, believing it to be
one of the most important that now
confronts the people of Mankato. Ger
tainly the business men will agree that
it is essential to their interests that all
highways leading into this city should
be put into first-class condition; also
that other highways in the county should
be treated likewise. The Free Press has
placed itself on record not only once,
but several times in favor of the enact
ment of such legislation as will, if en-
forced, lead to the construction of good
roads. That legislation can be gotten
only through the legislature. An cleo
ton is to be held in the fall, and three
members of the legislature are to be
chosen from Blue Earth county. These
officers will be nominated at the pri-
maries which are scheduled to be held
on Sept. 20. Several excellent gentle
men are seeking the nominations. Would
it not be wise for the commercial or
communities in Blue Earth county that
are interested in the betterment of the
highways, to question these candidates
as to how they feel toward good roads
legislation. Certainly the taxpayers
have right to ask of those who desire
to be public servants their views on mat
tiers of this character. Those candidates
for legislative honors who are outspoken
in favor of laws that will give the peo-
pie better roads are entitled to support;
those who are backward in giving ex-
preston to their beliefs should be shelv-
ed.
The Free Press regrets to say that
some of the members of the legislature
in the past have regarded lightly this
question of good roads, and have even
gone so far as to hold it up to ridi-
Guile. Are these men so much smarter
than the people that they have license
to cast aside with sneer a proposition
that is worthy of thoughtful considera-
ton! To say the least this is a prob
lem which should have been given re-
spectful hearing by those who are sup
posed to represent the public in the leg
islative halls.
1t is hoped that the commercial bodies
will .act on the suggestion that is set
forth above. Certainly no harm can
come from it, and possibly some good
will result.