CONFERENCE OF GOVERNORS. 



87 



The foregoing table shows, to a very marked degree, that in 

 those communities where illiteracy is prevalent the roads are in 

 very poor condition, and that the percentage of improved roads is 

 vastly greater where the population is of a higher grade. This 

 is not in itself wholly conclusive, because in the parts of the 

 country referred to, where the people are ignorant, it is generally 

 due to local and physical conditions, and the need for " good roads " 

 there is naturally very much less than in other parts of the 

 country. 



Massachusetts was one of the first States in the Union to 

 awaken to the need for better roads, and in the year 1894 the be- 

 ginning of a great system of State highways was inaugurated here. 

 Under legislative appropriations, varying in amount from year to 

 year, some $7,000,000 has been expended in this work; and the 

 State has now nearly 800 miles of smooth, hard roads, with easy 

 gradients, to show for its expenditure. In addition to the State 

 highways so built, the Commonwealth has spent about $350,000 

 for improving some 160 miles of road in small towns, many of 

 which are distant from the main lines of travel, and which, be- 

 cause of their location, were not likely to be soon constructed as 

 State highways. 



The money for this work has been raised by the issuance of 

 State bonds, and ultimately the counties in which the roads are 

 located will pay back to the Commonwealth 25 per cent, of the 

 money so expended. 



Each of the States of New England has upon its statute books 

 some legislation providing for the improvement of its roads under 

 the direction of the State itself, and in each State substantial 

 progress has been made in that direction, although naturally the 



