Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-04-08
NO MORE BONDS.
THE BONDS FOR COUNTY ROADS
DISCUSSED AT LENGTH.
The Taxpayers from the County
UnalterabIy Opposed to the
Issuing of Bonds.


$4,000 bonds for the purpose of improv-
ing the roads of the county, has been the
one subject of conversation among tax
payers. The Board of Supervisors called
hearing expressions of citizens in regard TO
creating a bonded Indebtedness for road
purposes. When the Board assembled at
10 A. NJ. it was stated that quite number
of citizens would be present in the after
noon, and as the hour for hearing them
had not been distinctly stated in the press
of the city, in order to give all an oppor-
tunitv to be present, the Board adjourned
to / P. NJ.
The Board re-convened at P NJ, with
all the members present The room was
full of interested citizens-every seat was
occupied and many stood in the Railways.
Mr. Fassett, the Chairman of the Board,
explained the object of the meeting, and
asked for the views of those present. He
then read from Section 81 of the Statutes of
1888, relative to the authority vested in the
Board of Supervisors for issuing bonds.
Supervisor Bates said inasmuch as the
meeting had been called in the interest OF
certain parties who advocated the issuance
of bonds, he thought it would be proper for
one of their champions to open the debate
bv giving their reasons for such action.
J. Y. Smms, being called upon, said
q | suppose ! am one of the number re-
ferred to, who is in favor of the issuing of
bonds As the matter has been well ven
tilated in the public press, | dc not con-
slider it necessary to detail our desires in
this matter; they are well known. l would
prefer TO hear from the other side
would like to know their objections and
then will be ready to reply. 1t is well
known fact that our roads need overhaul
ing and improving, and the question now
is, how can they be best improved ,"
J. BRoDER
Said be was unalterably opposed TO the
issuing of county bonds. He had lived in
the eastern portion of the county (Natoma
District for thirty-1ive Years, and knew
something of the requirements and the ne
cessities of the county. He had learned
that the Board of Supervisors had decided
that the county roads should be improved,
and in order to carry into effect their pro-
posed ideas of improvement they were
willing to saddle bonded Indebtedness
upon the county of $4,000. Why this
sudden change OF heart Why they
discover at this time that the roads are in
Il
was beyond his comprehension. He had
lived in the county over a third of a CEN
tury, and the roads, in his section at least,
were never better nor even SO good as at
present He said that the expenditure of
$4,000 on the roads of Sacramento county
would no doubt improve them-make bad
roads passable, good roads better; but
The asked, what is to become of
the bonds? What will those bonds, if
issued, cost the taxpayers before they are
paid Off? Some people imagine that if the
county reads were once grayeled, they
need no further care or repair. In this
they are mistaken They will need the
same careful looking after that the roads do
today, only, that by good care they can
always be kept in tirst-class order. He
said he was the last man to oppose any
public improvement, but he thought in this
case the same interests could be better served
b. district taxation. In some portions of
the county the roads are good, need but
little il any repair, and the lands adjoining
were poor and of but little value. In other
sections the roads are poor, full Of chuck
holes in the summer, mud holes in the
winter, and the land adjacent very yalu-
able. In such cases the landhOiderS were
willing to be assessed 81 30 an acre to
build them good roads and why not? The
roads appreciate the value of their land to
an extent that their outlay. instead of
being an expense is in reality profit.
Would it be right in that case to assess the
poor red lands with their high grayelly
roads, to build highways over the black
loan soil of their more fortunate neighbors
in the southern portion Of the county?
He advised the retention of the present
road system. The Road Overseers. he
said, did not always perform their whole
duty. Some men DO not pay road tax
once in eight years, yet he always found
that this class of men were always first to
condemn loads, the last 10 try to improve
them, and they are i'll the front rank of
those who now seek to saddle bonded in
debtedness upon the county. He concluded
by saying that with the amount of money
now raised by taxation for road purposes,
if properly applied by honest Overseers,
there would be no occasion for the present
call for 4 loan on bonds.
ARCHIE NULL,
One of the largest farmers and stock
raisers on the Costumes, was the next
speaker He said he heartily Endorsed the
remarks of Mr. Broder. What we want,
lie SAID is simply an honest outlay of the
money collected for highways on our
roads Our roads are not as bad as repre-
scented. in fact are better now than ever
known before. Money enough is collected
each year TO place our highways in excel
lent condition, if properly applied and if
not properly applied, would it not be well
to look into the matter and see what be
comes Of money collected for road pur
poses?
JOHN L. TAYLOR
Said he had heard considerable talk about
$4,000 for the roads OF Sacramento coun-
". He would like to ask for information
how this money was to be distributed ? Is
ii all to be put in one place or is it to be
divided pro rata? Before he entered into
any discussion of the question he desired
to know who would be responsible for the
bonds, the city and county, or the county
alone?
Supervisor Steinman answered Mr.. Tay-
Tor, saying the county would have it all to
pay, the city being in no wise responsible.
Thomas Mcconnell said that from the
statement of the Supervisor the city would
have to vote upon the question Of issuing
bonds, but would not be in any way
obliged to pay them on maturity. You
don't pay anything but at the same time
you say you can assist in creating the
debt. Please point out the law.
John Rooney-rhat is q mighty fine law
which SAYS that the city has a right to vote
debt upon the county. If that is the case
we will have Brighton incorporated at
once.
Chairman Fassett read the following
from Section 2744 Of the road law
All laws concerning roads and highways in
conflict with this Act, and all laws applicable to
particular counties of this State concerning
roads and highways, are hereby repealed pro-
ridod, that any proceedings commenced before
this Act takes effect, for the alteration estab
lishmcnt or abandonment of any road or high
way. may be conducted under the provisions of
the law under which said proceedings were
commenced prorided further, that nothing here
III contained shall be deemed to authorize the
levy or collection of road poll tax, or property
road tax within municipalities existing under
the laws of the State, wherein work and I'M
pTovementS upon the streets is done by virtue OF
any law relating to street work and improve
ments within such municipality. Nor shall any
such incorporated city or town be by the Super
visoTs of the county included embraced in
any road district by them established under
this Act.
Mr.. ACCOMMODATES that been passed
upon by the Supreme Court?
Mr.. Fassett-I think not as a bench, but
understand that two of the members give
it as their opinion that it is constitutional.
They claim that municipalities are exempt.
The funds will have to be segregated to the
different districts according to their prop
erty representation, except thirty-five per
cent, which will be set aside for a general
road fund.
Mr.. Rooney-When did that 50 per cent.
law pass?
II 7 ,,,I