The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-01-31

interest on the bonds is in addition to the
sum to be repaid; but this is compensated
by the immediate advantage of
good road If the farmer
gained but three days in the year
by being enabled to market his produce
when his fields were too wet to work in,
or was, by good road, permitted TO take
advantage at any time of rise in the
market. This would compensate him for
the extra tax due to the interest on the
bonds. Nay, the mere yearly saving in
wear and tear on team, harness and
wagon, not to say on his time and temper,
would more than reimburse him for his
share of the interest. Moreover, the in
terest will yearly decrease as the sinking
fund increased until both it and the bonds
disappeared Also, by diffusing or spread
ing the cost over number of years, those
who hereafter enjoy the benefit would pay
their proportlonate share of the cost.
Taking, then, each on its own intrinsic
merit, there is no doubt which of the two
systems of raising money for constructing
roads will commend itself to every intelli-
gent mind. The verdict will, without ques
ton, be in favor of that which, at a compare
lively small extra cost, compensated for
by equivalent advantages, confers an i'm
mediate benefit on the whole community,
rather than that, which doles out its use
fitness precariously and by driblets. Why,
then, it may be asked, do these leaders of
thought among the farmers and other in
telligent citizens so strenuoasly oppose
the bond system, and vote for the intrin-
60 &c 80 ho
road requirements of the country. The
reason may be tersely given in one word
Observation-Disclosures, not in the integrity,
but in the fitness of the officials for the
duties imposed on them as road commits
sioners, uncontrolled as they are by any
disinterested advisory expert; without
skill or knowledge themselves in road
making; subject from this want of knowl-
edge to expend money on every design or
scheme proposed to them by any one hav-
ing the least pretention to engineering
knowledge, which these officials, from
their own ignorance of the sub
ject, can neither criticise nor detect;
having also their own business to attend
to, as lawyers, merchants, farmers, etc., it
is irrational to think they can, unguided
by disinterested professional adviser,
efficiently of themselves discharge the
duties of road commissioners. The Off
cials are not to blame; they are generally
men of ability and integrity, have excel
lent intentions, and do their best; but
good intentions will not in themselves
make good roads. How, then, can it be
expected that, under the circumstances
have mentioned, intelligent men will vote
to entrust large sums of money to be ex-
pended through such an intermediary
channel? Is it, then, to be wondered at,
that the able men who control the State
Farmers Alliance should deem it
better to let the county officials
more or less mis-spend $4,000 to
$4,000 yearly, raised by direct tax,
rather than expend a couple of hundred
thousand at one fell swoop, to leave its
sting behind In the form of an annual in
terest and sinking fund, with little to show
for the expenditure? The Farmers ALL
ances are willing to bear this lesser evil In
the patient hope of better things here
after, learned by progressive experience.
The direct tax is also so far under control
that it can be abolished by repeating its
enacting law; but the heavy incubus of
mlS-SpenG DOnuB ana Jnelr interest," VIII lle
as dead weight as long as there is bond
remaining unredeemed. It is therefore
futile to make laws permitting the people
to vote money by bonds as long as the
present system of road management re-
mains. Revise the system by providing
it with the necessary safeguards to pre-
vent waste and extravaganza, and
when the farmers and citizens
in general see that there is
skill and order, and proper management
in the disposition of the money required
for road purposes, then all progressive
and intelligent citizens will vote the funds
necessary to construct good roads.
If you give me space in your next Sun
days issue will describe provincial road
management in India, modified SO as to
be adapted to the circumstances of Texas,
keeping, as at present, each county as a
unit for the control and maintenance of
its own roads. Let Others, after perusal,
improve on my suggestions, so that, &C.
cording to the proverb, there may be wis
dom in many councillors, and, from q
profusion of thought, there may come
forth perfection. j. F. Pope.