San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-10-06
pIRT ROADS,

pOrGauC6 10 the country Unau TallTOaus
is almost self-evident proposition.
Railroads belong to corporations,
which possess the exclusive right TO
operate them, but the dirt roads be-
long to the public, and can be used
by the nabob and the tramp, pro-
vided they be passa6le-a matter
that is doubtful all through the win.
ter.
We regard local laws as vicious and
unwise, and sincerely deprecate the
enactment of such laws, in Texas.
In most of the Southern states, mere.
ly local statutes have become the
order of the day and exceed the mum,
Der Of the general statutes.
The LIGHT is of the opinion that
the road law should be eoextensive
with the limits OF the state, in its
operation, In order for it to insure
good dirt roads. To give county the
right to forego the improvement OF
its dirt roads would be gross wrong
to the counties contiguous to it as
will as dlsincline them to improve
their own roads.
There are about $500 male convicts
in Texas who could and should be
employed in work on the dirt roads
which constitute the main thorough
fares for the transportation of
the produce of the farmers
to market. Let the $500 con-
victs be divided into ten squads,
and be pnt to work on the principal
roads in the state. Two hundred and
fifty men are as many as should be in
a squad perhaps a squad of one
hundred could be more easily ham
died and guarded. If the convicts
were employed in this manner they
would be under the control and care
of the state, just as they ought to be
and their labor would not enter in to
with the labor of honest
workingmen of the non criminal class
two objects much to be desiderated. |
hundred men ought, in
twelve months, to put $500 miles OF
dirt road in excellent condition, as
each one of them ought to be able to |
work three miles of road, taking it,
as it comes.
In most cases, if roads were but
ditched, and the dirt ex.
was used to raise the road
bed they would seldom become inn
passable boys during the winter
Drainage is exactly what
is required to make good roads, for, if
the road bed Is saturated with water,
it is certain to be converted into q
quagmire by the passage of loaded
over it.
The public roads should be divided
into short precincts, and the work on
them be let out to the lowest bidder,
who should execute bond for the |
performance of his duty. The |
funds with which to pay these con-
tractors could be raised by levying |
and collecting small tax on land,
and by imposing a poll tax on all |
males between the ages of Is and IS. |
AS the law now is, widows and nom
residents, who own land, contribute
nothing in the shape of work, to the
improvements of the roads.
Were the dirt roads once put in
good condition by being thoroughly
drained and worked, it would require |
but little work, annually, to keep
them in good order, hence the rate OF
taxation could be reduced, annually
THE alliance and Gov. John B. Cor
don are waging desperate fight in
Georgia for the majority in the legis-
lature, and the defeat of the alliance
will cut its throat from ear to ear. |
Gordon is dashing, aggressive and
fearless. We shall know the result in
few days.
THE Louisiana Lottery company
will, in all probability, supply Crane
with campaign fund to purchase
votes with.
EVERY republican in Texas should
m IN tho ynlls of tho eleotion in No