No. 4.] COUNTRY ROADS. 253 



those towns, as it has come to their rescue on the subject 

 of education. Most of you know the laws that have been 

 passed within two or three years to help the smaller towns 

 in the matter of education, and a noble work is being done 

 through them. I believe that if the State will come in some 

 way, — I do not know how, but by a proper investigation 

 the way will be found, — if the State will come to the 

 assistance of the towns, and help them in maintaining 

 those through roads, then in all probability the towns will 

 take care of the local roads. I have a resolution which I 

 would like to offer, if I may. 



The Chairman. Any resolution expressing the opinion 

 of those who are here present is perfectly in order. I see 

 no objection to it. Of course it is not in order, if intended 

 as an expression of the opinion of the Board of Agriculture. 



Mr. Thurston submitted the following resolutions : — 



Resolved, That the State Board of Agriculture, at its public 

 meeting, held Dec. 1, 2 and 3, 1891, recommends such legislation 

 as shall induce the towns of the Commonwealth to increase their 

 appropriations for highway purposes. 



Resolved, That it is expedient, and will conduce to the safety 

 and better condition of the highways and bridges in this Common- 

 wealth, that a State highway engineer and superintendent of 

 bridges should be appointed. 



Mr. Thurston, continuing his remarks, said : I think 

 these are two questions which have been before the Legisla- 

 ture and have been investigated by legislative committees, 

 who, however, have failed to make any recommendation on 

 the subject. It seems to me that we need the last as much 

 as we need the first. 



Secretary Sessions. I think it should be understood that 

 the passage of the resolutions does not bind the State Board 

 of Agriculture, because this is not a meeting of that Board. 



Mr. Bowker. I believe that Mr. Thurston is in earnest, 

 and honestly endeavoring to have this Board accomplish 

 something. I will move that the resolutions be referred to 

 the State Board of Agriculture at its annual meeting. 



Secretary Sessions. If it is desired to get an expression 

 of the opinion of the Board of Agriculture upon this matter, 



