Mexico weekly ledger., 1878-02-21
CITIZENS ASSOCIATION.

CALLED MEETING-JoEL aUTHRIE's
PLAN FOR ROCK RoADs-Is IT FKAsI-
BLE-RAILRoAD DIvIsIoN-No TAX
On SMALL MANUFACTURES.
There was called meeting of the
Association last Friday night. The
President being absent Mayor Fowler
was called to the chair, aAd K. nj.
White appointed secretary pro tem.
Secretary Fry being absent the cor
responding secretary read communi-
cations from Mr.. II. C.. Duggen, of
st. Louis, Mo-, and John Oils, of
Bloomington, ILL.,, in regard to locat-
ing foundry and machine shop at
Mexico, and Informed the Association
that he had invited both these gentle
men to visit us, and after examina-
ton submit some practical PROPOSE
tons in regard thereto.
Mr.. Joel Guthrie being present, on
being called upon, submitted the fol-
lowi lg paper on rock roads for the
action of the meeting.
During the last few weeks the sub
iect of rock roads has been pretty
freely discussed, and whilst their ina
portance has been theoretically DEM
onstrated by those who have a1vocat-
ed Mem, their actual necessity has
been practically forced upon us by
the impossible condition of our bot
tomless mud roads.
And as important as they may seem
to be to the citizens OF Mexico, and
as deeply as We may be interested in
their construction, they are immense
ly more important to the farmers of
their county, and should excite in
them deeper interest, and induce
them to put forth greater efforts for
their construction than any other
class of men in the land. Because
it is he that is compelled to go to
market and haul his grain and pro-
duce to sell or ship as the case may
be, and it is he that is often compell-
ed to visit the city ON business or
pleasure excursions /; while the inhabi-
tants of the city are not compelled to
go to the country for what they want.
but can remain at home and get their
supplies from the farmer or upon the
railroad If necessity requires so that
while the city is entirely dependent
on the farmer, it is not entirely de-
pendent upon the farmers wagon Tor
supplies.
But the important question to
the farmer in this great financial
crisis is. what will these roads cost?
and the answer to this question nec-
essarily involves the mode of con-
My answer is that they
will cost much less than many per-
sons anticipate if the proper plan of
is adopted, and my plan
is this. Let Railroad Company be
and subscriptions in money
be taken from persons in the city and
who are able &c give money,
and from those along the route to be
who are not able to
give money, or would rather work out
their stock, let subscriptions be taken
in work and material for the construc-
ton of the road.
have seen miles of road made in
this way by farmers in another state,
together in two's- and four's
and larger numbers, and making .
halt or mile Or more of road lying
between or near to their farms accord
ing to the number in the club and
heir ability to accomplish the work.
without any aid or appropriation from
the county for this purpose. Those
who have no rock can unite with those
who have It, and by this club system
many economical helps can be utiliz-
ed in cheapsnlng the construction of
such roads that would otherwise be
ost and have to be substituted with
~
To this stock of work and material
md subscriptions could be added
,uch appropriations Of money % the
county can make from her revenue,
md thus sufficient amount raised
With which to begin the work. i
A months time or more after the |
,rops are laid by, that usually profits
he farmer but little, can thus be
,ery proftably spent in adding to his |
,omfort and convenience and to the
of his property and the |
General Improvement of the country.
Is to the manner Of making the road
be- easiest way is the cheapest and
he best. 1t is this. lst. grade the
Dad bed. I'D, take the stone a.
hey come from the quarry, If they
re net too large, and set them oni