The Empire County argus., 1856-05-03
Placerville on Roads.

Placervlle is 'somen on road building as will
appear from the late report of the Surveyor Gen
eral. The Wagon Road law, under which that
officer called upon to perform duties, was de-
fective in not specifically appropriating money for
surveys consequently the Controller declined issu-
ing warrants for services under the act. No place
in the State was more Immediately interested in
the survey and location of the Immigrant Road
over the mountains to Carson Valley than Placer
vile. On the 18th October, prominent citizen of
Placerville wrote the Surveyor General:
''Our people, feeling a deep interest in the con-
templated Wagon Road, and anxious to commit the
State to the completion of it beyond the contingent
cy of the next Legislature, very socitous that
you should, without further delay advertise for
proposals to construct the road
In compliance with this earnest expression, an
advertisement was Immediately drawn up and pub
lished. The citizens of Placerville were informed
of the conditions under which the survey must be
conducted, as follows:
''It was stated that in order that the road might
be located and estimated speedily that the above
object could be accomplished, it would be necessa-
ry to have funds to deray the expenses of the
vey, and that it could not be commenced until
So, 900 in cash were placed at the disposal of Mr.
Day and myself $500 of which must be under my
exclusive control, to enable me properly to co-ope
rate with Mr.. Day in carrying forward this impor-
tanu project, and that | would not attempt it at
that late day unless the funds at once provi-
ded, as | had already exhausted my own means in
furthering this and other matters connected with
my Office
Notwithstanding this explicit statement the Sur
veyor General was most shabbily treated. That
officer says in his official report
"While at Placerville | found it necessary to
borrow money to pay certain of MIR. Days assist
ants employed near that town during the explora-
tons which, together with sums expended before
and since in carrying forward this survey have not
been refunded to me, and form part of the def
cheney to be provided for.'
A pretty mode this of securing the survey of a
Wagon Road! and evidently part of concerted
plan to humbug and fleece the Surveyor General
and his assistants. This is evident enough from
the following downright piece of misrepresenta-
ton. The Surveyor General says:
''On the 10Th November, communication from
Placerville, dated the 18th, arrived, in which it
was stated, that after long time things had got
into some tangible form in regard to money mat
ters that could draw on Mr. - for the $780,
which would be paid at any time; that the Super
U'sors had agreed to make an appropriation mhen the
surrey should be compleed to pay all expenses that
there would be no further trouble about money
matters also that if would come up, all my ex-
penses should be paid, etc.
Now the Board of Supervisors never agreed to
any such thing as stated. TO this Placervle let
ter the Surveyor General replied, rebuking the
people of that town they richly deserved. But
hear the Surveyor General talk to that enterpris-
ing(O people, that people who had the Wagon
Dnad boo, I'd lo1;o
live in the exact centre of the County and ought to
have the County Seat account of their astonish-
ing iberality and superior acuteness in business
Here is the letter to the Placervillans:
"Your favor of yesterdays date I received this
afternoon. | regret that the means necessary to
enable me properly to cooperate with Mr.. Day in
the location of the Wagon Road, were not furnish
ed me as desired What excuse or reason YOUR
people have for the unwise course they have pur-
sued, am entirely ignorant Of as they have not
deigned to make any reply to my requests, since
the departure of Mr.. Day. By negecting to fur
nish me with the necessary funds, they have pre-
vented me from going over the work, and consult
ing with MIR. Day, and from providing him with
such additional assistance necessary to pre-
pare the work for an early letting and thus if pos
sible, secure its completion before my term shall
expire, which you and many others, who should
have done everything in your power to assist me,
knew was my wish and determination.
How hare you aided me? In the first place, it
was nearly month before you raised one dollar
for the location. When visited your place, with
the vain hope that | might hasten the raising of
the necessary funds what encouragement did re-
ceive? Why, this-l was compelled to borrow
money to pay men for assisting MIR. Day in making
surveys in the vicinity of Placervile. To pay that
money, came home drew my salary, and paid it
out of that Has Placervile or Ell Dorado ever
refunded that money? No! Did | not state to
you and many others in Placerville that had not
for months received dollar from the State for
any purpose whatever, connected with my Office,
except for rent and salary! And did you not know
that the salary is not sufficient to defray my per-
sonal expenses? Did | not tell you | must hare
$500 Immediately, to enable me to relieve myself
from debts had incurred (for the Wagon Road },
and were then due or nearly so Did not state
in almost every communication to Mr.. Day. that
must have $500? Did not again state in letter
to -, dated about the middle of last month,
that desired to start the next Tuesday to 60 over
the road in company with the Governor and sew
eral gentlemen who desired to bid for the work
Did | not state that must haze the $500 before
went to place matters in such a condition that
could leave, and to pay the expenses of the trip
Yes, all these these things are true Were these
matters considered of sufficient Importance to enti-
tie them to an answer! =! Mo-"
The Placervillans are public spirited class of
people, truly! If it required one month to raise
one dollar for Wagon Road, how long will it take
to raise $4,000 for County Seat eectioneering out