The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-01-02

structed by Roman invaders. and IN Mex
leo, roads built at the time of the Spanish
conquest are still servicable. For this
reason 1t is not to be expected that the ex-
pense of good roads should be borne, ex-
cept to limited extent, by the present gen.
Grafton. Those who come after us will be
common benefciaries with ourselves, and
1t Is but fair that we bequeath to them a
pIo rata of the expense. This can only be
done by drawing drafts upon the future in
the shape of
BONDS FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION.
II we so frame the law that we insure wise
disbursement of the money posterity will
not complain of the burden whether we ex-
pend 500, 900 or $50O,0O0 If even the last
named amount were now expended in the
construction of macadamized roads, on
thirty years bonds, the taxable values, at
maturity, would more easily yield the
amount, than present values will yield
$4,000.
If, however, we were to borrow 100000
for this purpose it would insure about 100
miles ofroad, or say six main lines from
the city to the county boundary. On this
amount interest and sinking fund would
not exceed per cent per annum, or total
of SIC, 000-less than one-half the revenue
allowed by law on the present taxable
values. But when we realize that roads as
above projected would bring 256,000 acres
within one mile of good highway, or
over 100000 acres within two miles, we
may confidently expect an immedi-
ate increase in values of at least
81, 00O,000. To this amount would be an
annual increasement from new farm settle
ments and improvements along these ar
teries of trade If to this we add the in
creased prosperity of the city from the en-
larged traffic secured from our own and
adjoining counties, we may safely antici.
pate in three years that ouI values will
spring from $14, 100000 to $24,000,0O0. AS
the benefits of good roads are cumulative
our wealth in ten years will astonish the
most sanguine. In framing laws for the
expenditure of such fund we will find
an entirely
NEW SYSTEM NECESSARY.
The present plan of selecting road over
seers and bosses of road gangs for
their own accommodation or for their
ability to manage laborers, must give way
to business principles. The selection and
construction of good roads call for as much
engineering ability and education of a
peculiar class, as does railroad building. 1t
needs but few miles ride in any direction
from our city to convince an observer that
the lines of our county roads have been
controlled by no consideration for public
convenience or expense. Many OF them
seem to have been located because the land
was good for nothing else, and sad expert
ence shows it is not good for roads. A
popular error is to meander the foot hills,
where is secured not only the direct effect
of rainfall but the insidious and otting
work of the sipe springs which, through
weeks of dry weather, continue to clog
every wheel that passes. If drain bitches
and culverts are constructed you get rid OF
the sipe water, but the next rainfall is
gathered and shot through the culverts
upon the field below and complaints and
damage suits follow. For these and many
other reasons the county needs compe-
tent
ROAD ENGINEER,
whose duty it should be to designate
the route of each new road and to survey
and make working drawings for fills, drains,
culverts and grades of established routes
When these are completed they can be
turned over to construction corps and the
work, when done, will be step toward
permanent improvement.
Next in importance to the engineer is
suitable and modern road implements. Our
county has recently invested in an elaborate
road grader, which, in soil free from stones
and roots, does good work, but you might
as we'll try to make bread out of dry flour
alone as to make roads with this machine
uDsupplemented with a good, heavy har-
row and roller. Dirt falls from this ma
chine as lightly as through a sitter and
leaves the center too high. If good har.
row were to follow to reduce and regulate
the grade, and this in turn followed by q
roller after each layer of dirt, firm road
bed would be secured. Without such road
bed we can have no permanent roads. 1t
is this compact soil which really carries the
burden of travel, as the facing, whether OF
stone, gravel or other material, is but q
roof to keep off the rainfall. Another in
dispensable instrument is the steam crushel
for preparing the stone for application
to the road. These have now at.
tanned what seems perfection, and in
railroad building will each do more work
in given time than fifty Hgood laborers
For quarrying the stone, feeding the ma
chine and distributing the products our
county lconvicts could be protitably EN-.
ployed and an abundant supply ofprepared
material could always be on hand.
In conclusion we sum up as follows:
Good roads we must have.
To get good roads we must have money.
The only practicable mode of getting
money is by the issue of bonds.
When the money is secured topograph-
ical survey and profile of each road must be
made by competent engineer.
When this is completed specific contracts
for ditching, grading and surfecing can be
let and the work done under experienced
road builders, and when this is finished
Travis will be one of the wealthiest and
most prosperous counties in the state,
w.