Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 March 1880 — Common Roads. [ARTICLE]

Common Roads.

There is still much complaint in man* portions of the countiy about the roads, and this condition of things may be looked for periodically until a system of road-making is inaugurated differing materially from that which prevails now in nearly all of the Northwestern States. Although the Prairie Farmer has so often discussed this subject and advo uated the adoption of measures intended to bring about a better state of things, we are impelled to return to it again and again by reason of its importance to the people. We have emphasized the necessity for good roads in all parts of the country, snowing their value to the public and to individual property. We have pointed out the fact that most of the work annually done upon the public highways is of little account and in many instances worse than useless. It is that the value of good roads is not properly appreciated. It is only when a mud embargo occurs that our people are aroused to the benefits of good roads at all times. When the vicissitudes of a capricious winter are over, and the highways bedome passable, very little is heard about the roads until another season of rain or snow, rind freezing and thawing has rendered them well nigh or entirely impassable. One of our correspondents suggested, id the last issue of the Prairie J farmer, that the inconvenience and losses sustained by the country on account of bad roads are well understood, but that those who refer to them fail to point out a remedy. Now there are localities where* this criticism will apply with great force; but on. the other hand there are many others In this and other States where it has no force at all. There are many sections where gravel and beaten rock may be utilized to improve the roads with comparatively light expense. In such instances it is merely a question of public interest in the matter. In numerous localities the light cost of good roads is shown by the construction of toll roads, which almost without exception prove a good investment to those who build them. The statement is a safe one that farmers who use these thoroughfares pay in tolls much more than would be required in taxes to keep up good roads free of tolls, and at the same time, in most cases, they have to pay highway takes also. In other localities these natural means of securing good roads are not at hand, and a different course must necessarily be pursued, if good roads, or those that are reasonably good, are to be had. To keep the highways In anything like good order under such unfavorable circumstances, underdraining is absolutely necessary. On all heavy soils, this is the first thing to be done. With underdrains three or four feet deep, and an outlet for the drain, a vastly improved condition of the road will be secured. Piling loose earth and sod in the center of a highway, is little better than leaving the rood level; and, indeed, if the soil is vegetable matter the higher it is piled up, the worse the roads will become. The proper plan to pursue under such circumstances is to remove the surplus water by stone or tile underdrains, and then if gravel, or broken rock can be obtained, a good road is easily made.

Whether or not food country roads will be constpictea to any great extent under present highway laws, is a question which we do not at this time intend to discuss. We have said heretofore, that under our present system very few good roads are to he found at all seasons of the year. If the laws on the statute book were executed according to their intent and purpose, there would bp far less room for complaint than now exists, but it is patent that such is not the case. The mots speak for themselves; bad roads in bad weather are the rule; good roads at all times are few and far between. It relief or reform in road-making is to be secured, it may be that it will only be secured by the enactment of laws which will be a radical innovation ppon those that are now on the statute books relating to it. It is asserted that as matters how stand, road taxes are ihrfrinssing. and at the same time our countiy roads are getting worse every year. If this be so, it is high time that bettec method* wareadopted, and it has been suggested that all highway taxes be paid in money to be expended under a system by which the roads will be in charge of and kept in order by experts in road-making. Past experience in this, and other Wertem States under the present laws, • shows that something more Is required before we shall have kt all times of the year good public.' highways. —Fraim Farmer. r '$ * * It is a noticeable fact that lota of people die in March, and some folks therefore consider t*»e month a curse, but it should be regarded as a blessing’, for the world seems so mean during March that it makes folks reconciled to dying at that season! -.Borton PocL "