Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1905-11-17
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER II, 1905.
Legal Aspect of the Automobile
Question

It is incomprehensible to us that the
towns in our State at their Town Meet
ings, or the Selectmen who are supposed
to look after the interests of the town.
and by law are made responsible for
the enforcement of duties required
of any particular officer, do not forbid
the use of highways in any manner
which jeopardizes the comfort and
safety, but especially the safety of those
for whom they were constructed, and by
whom they are built and principally
used This in itself is a proper policy.
and in addition we believe that the towns
will be held responsible by the courts
for any accident or damage which may
occur when the enforcement of laws.
made especially to render the highways
safe for all Legitimate use, are entirely
neglected.
1t is true that in some remarkable
manner, laws, which were at one time
thought to be necessary for the protec-
ton of life and the safety of our people
upon our highways, such as that pro-
hibiting vehicles propelled by steam and
steam rollers to be used, unless a man of
mature age was sent at least one eighth
Of mile ahead to warn teams, have
been repealed; and thus what was known
to be the safety Of the great ma lority of
those using the highways sacrificed. not
10, i'll any case, the necessity. business or
otherwise, but only the pleasure of "A
very small minority, cetainly not over
three per cent. and probably not one But
the law still remains requiring towns to
abate nuisanceS in the highways: and
the great principle underlying our
system of government that the high
ways that connect the whole fabric of
our society, all our families in social
intercourse. and in the possible carrying
out of their business interests. must be
made safe, can not be repealed: for it is
fundamental to our civilization.
The Register does not believe that a
few drones will be permitted much
longer to imperil the safety and happi-
ness, and business interests, of whole
State; nor does it believe that a few
others, not drones, but who thoughtessly
adopted anew vehicle, using it in the pro-
secuti0n of business, will wish to con-
tinue the same, when they realize it is at
the safety and expense of practically all
their neighbors.
No! Fundamental principles essential
to civilization cannot be repealed by the
tactics of lobby. Back of legislation
stands our Supreme Court and the Re-
gister feels that the rights of the people
may be safely left in its hands.
1t will be perceived in our account of
accidents this week that suit has
been brought by II. K. Lads. of In
dianapolis, Ind, for $4,000 damages
against the city of Kalamazoo, Mich.
The American Horse Breeder of Bos-
ton of Nov. IA, after quoting and endors-
ing the Registers editorial that auto
mobiles should have their own roads,
adds:
This subject interests every one who
lives in the country and especially those
who are taxpayers in New England, and
who have families to support and educate.
Concerted and persistent action on their
part, and "A demand from them that Just
laws be enacted for their protection, will
in time compel those who own and oper-
ate automobiles to keep off the highway
and build roads at their own expense
upon which to operate their machines
They have neither legal nor moral right
to jeopardize the life of any human be.