The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-12-30
PERMANENT ROADS.

ILnm hN6NA hOoDS
A meeting of mayors of a number OF
cities of illinois was held at Springfield n
couple of weeks ago to consider the sub
icct of improving the roads of this state
EXcept 10 bring out some loose statistics
showing that at least half dozen millions
of dollars year are wasted on roads in
this state without resulting in any apprc-
ciable improvement, the only result OF the
meeting appears to have been the organlza-
ton of an association to work up the sub.
iect and bring 1t in a practical form be
tore the next legislature. Mayor Harrison,
of Chicago, is president of the association,
L. A. Routhe, of Springfield, secretary, and
Elk Coy. Bross, of Chicago and several IN.
huentia gentlemen from other cities com
pose the executive committee. We see by
the papers that the society was to hold an.
other meeting IN Chicago on Thursday of
the present week.
! The subject, of course. is one of the ut
most Importance, but AS it has been Il
prominent. one before the Illinois legisla-
ture at every session during the last fifty
years, and the only result thus far has been
to give Illinois about the mcancst road law
of any state in the Union, we don't see that
there is much hope Of improvement to be
derived from any further tinkering by that
body unless the business shall fall into
vastly better hands than have undertaken
to handle it heretofore. Something prdc-
| ttcdj on the subject was done in this COuu-
| ty during the past season by graveling the
road from Ottawa to Deer Park, and with
a little repairing next season no doubt that
will prove solid and permanent road, the
only one In the county. Butas the expense
was paid by voluntary contribution, the
manner of making that road won't do to
be relied upon for general system.
Something more reliable IN the way of a
systematic beginning appears to have
been done IN Peoria county. The Peoria
Democrat says:
Within the last two years the board OF
supervisors, recognizing the fact that all
the money spent in making temporary i'm
lprOvements on country roads was of eX
ceedlngly brief benefit, has made a start in
the right direction by appropriating five
i Thousand dollars each for the improvement,
by gravcllng of five OF the principal roads
leading out OF Peoria, beginning ut the
} city limits and extending as tar as the
money will permit. \ portion of the
money thus appropriated has already been
expended, and 1t is proposed to continue
the Improvements from year to year until
good, permanent roads are made all over
the county. The wisdom of this course is
universally conceded, and our county board
is entitled to great credit for the sagacity
and public spirit thus practically exhib-
tied.
We have grave doubts whether the su
pervrsors of La Sale county could be made
to believe that they had power to inaugu
rate any such system here, or, if the power
was clear that they could be brought to dc
it. Certainly II appropriations were asked
for to improve five principal roads out Of
Ottawa, La Sale, Streator, Peru and Other
cities in the county would claim like aid
and instead of $4,000 a year $125,OOt
, would not satisfy them. Yet to begin with
the principal roads out of each city and
improve a few miles year until all art
graveled and bridged, seems to be the RICH
way to 60 about it, though some othel
system to raise the means than making {
levy upon the whole county would appear
to be necessary.