238 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



some bridges which might span its water courses, one would 

 look to see memorial tablets, preserving the record of 

 notable events in local history, and monuments to the dis- 

 tinguished sons of the town. Would that we had a Car- 

 negie road builder, as well as a Carnegie library builder ! I 

 cannot but believe that, if some gentleman of wealth would 

 lead the way in such benevolence as this, many others would 

 arise out of our various communities to imitate his example, 

 and distribute of their abundant wealth along these lines. 

 I have in mind one community in the Commonwealth which 

 has been favored in this direction by the bestowal of con- 

 siderable sums by a native of the town to improve the con- 

 dition of her roads, but I know of no case where there has 

 been an endowment for the purpose. 



Objections have been made in certain quarters to large 

 endowments in any direction. It is thought by some that 

 the great universities of our country are absorbing more of 

 our accumulated wealth than single institutions can profit- 

 ably use. INIost men believe that it is unwise to endow 

 churches. I do not sympathize with either of these views. 

 On the contrary, I do believe that the outlets of charity 

 may be profitably enlarged, so as to reach and greatly bene- 

 fit that immense system of inter-communication which binds 

 our communities together and makes them neighbors to each 

 other. No bestowal of benevolence would be more far- 

 reaching and permanent and beneficent in its results and 

 influence than the endowment of our public roads. I should 

 feel amply repaid for the preparation of this address, if I 

 could believe that this last suggestion would reach and influ- 

 ence some one of our numerous American millionaires to 

 lead ofi* in establishing by liberal endowment a well-consid- 

 ered trust for the inauguration of the coming era of improved 

 and beautified American roads and roadsides. 



IVIr. A. A. Smith (of Colrain). Recognizing that no one 

 has a right to mutilate shade trees or trees by the roadside, 

 yet knowing there are numberless firms going about the 

 country nailing up signs which deface the landscape, without 

 any consent from the selectmen or from the tree warden, I 



