The Placer herald., 1860-04-07
Wagon Road Bill.

Tax (excepting so much of the same belong
ing to the State School Fund) for the years
1860, 1861, to the counties of Tuoumne.
Calaveras, Amador, Ell Dorado, Placer, Sier-
ra and Plumas, for the purpose of enabling
them to build wagon roads over the Sierra
Nevadas, has passed both houses, and now
only awaits the approval of the Governor
to become law Under this bill the coun-
ties named can carry forward successfully
their various road projects, and when COM
pleted, the long contested question of the
bes. mountain route will soon be determined,
so far as the counties occupying the central
position in the Sacramento valley are con-
cerned. The roads of lightest grades and
least length will take the largest per cent of
trade and travel, and we hazard the asser-
ton that Placer county will not 10 the hind
most competitor in the race
The passage Of this bill will do AWAY with
the necessity Of these roads being undertaken
by private companies, who would experience
q difficulty in making up their capital stock,
or collecting assessments upon the same,
in communities where, unfortunately, so
many consider themselves as not permanent
residents, and therefore under no obligation
to assist in enterprises for public benefit
The result Of this feeling is, in throwing the
burden Of such undertakings upon the few,
while the great majority stand aoof, content
to see the few bear all the labor and respon-
sibiIity.
The road fund, under the law, will amount
to handsome sums in each of the counties
named, and by judicious contracts, and
general economical management, good noun
tain roads can be made Having the cash
in hand to operate with, there will be active
competition for contracts, and the work can
be done at the lowest rates.
By reference to the report of the Con-
troller of State, we find that for the fiscal
year ending June 3Oth, 1859, the county
of Placer paid into the State Treasury, on
Foreign Miners and Poll Taxes, the sum Of
$17,2lO 76; equal to s34,42l 50 for two
years, the length OF time the county would
be entitled to this revenue for building
road. From all we can learn, this amount
is ample to build good stage road: one of
the best that can lie made over the Sierras.
Some may doubt the policy of giving so
large part of the State revenue for the
purpose named, but it is patent to all that
these thoroughfares must be made, and it is
next to impossible to obtain the local capital
for that purpose, when there is not a positive
assurance there will be return for the in
vestment equal to the ruling rates of Cafor-
mia interest. This revenue is derived direct
ly from the people of the counties where
these improvements are to be made. The
roads, although expected to be of direct
local benefit, indirectly will benefit the whole
State They will be the avenues from and
to which the great trade so rapidly growing
in the mining region est of the mountains
will pass The new mines seem destined to
have, within a few months a large popula
ton. That population must be almost en-
tirely supplied from California, and the pro-
duet of the labor performed there, will serve
to enrich our State. Interest and duty, then,
prompts the construction Of these roads,
and it is right and proper, being for the
general welfare. that the State should give
TIE aid and encouragement proposed.
Cold Comfort.
Tie San Francisco Anti ulkheaders have
flooded the country newspaper offices with
their protests and memorials against the
scheme, who all courteously acknowledge the
receipt of the said documents, but all (so far
as we have seen,) decline TO enter the lists
against the Monster" The country press
are all either for the Bukhead, or don't care
q button whether it is built or not. They
suppose the legislature understands the sub
ject sufficiently we'll to decide it properly
without their interference.
The Bulkhead bill has passed the Senate;
it is sad the same result will follow in the
House; and there is no reason why it will
not receive the sanction Of the Governor
All this coming to pass, the Anti.Bulkhead
ers have spent time and breath uselessly.
TYy- The Sacramento Standard says there
is no rivalry between San Francisco and Sac
ramento. The one is a great commercial
emporium, the other the capital Of the State,