Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-09-23


superintendent is highly pleased with
The cite. and the bridge promises to be
a durable one. force of men are still
employed in the necessary work.
THE wARRENs ROAD.
The route from the Springs toWarrens
was located and built by George Reibold.
His ac.ua, money disbursements were
over 81 700, and store and butcher bills.
powder, &c $500 more. making a total
cost Of abont So 500 for the IL miles and
900 feet. The r. nie largely follows the
trail. On Long gulch rise OF 9OO feet
is overcome in distance of "a miles.
Mr.. Aeibold built this piece of road ac-
cording to the specifications as adver-
lised for the other sections, and IL fills
contract requirements. Ii the other
sections had been built in the same
manner the people of Camas Prairie
would be able to haul IN light load OF
freight with span of horses. There is
no exaggeratiOn about this statement.
The whole road from the Prairie toWar-
rens can easily be made substantial
highway and the trade of that country
can be kept here. Under existing cir
cumstances the failure of the state COM
missioners to do their duty have tempo
rariy lost us this trade, which now goes
to the Weiser side over the Secesh sum-
init. This Secesh summit is 1900 feet
higher than any part of thePrairle road.
In fact, the Prairie road can be travel
ed month earlier and month later in
the fall than the Weiser road. And
more than that, the grade from Secesh
summit to waters of the Payette is much
more steep than anything on theSalmon
river canyon. Then. too, thu sun never
e l. n r<.,on IL
| where it runs through the canyon of the
Payettc and all these advantages, to-
gether with our county relations and
social knowledge will bind these remote
sections of Idaho county in the old
CHAINS of commercial intercourse.
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE FUTURE.
Mistakes have been made which
ought to be Investigated and the re-
sponslbility placed where it rightly be-
longs. But, nevertheless. the matter is
not gone beyond control. The state
legislature must be asked for an APP
preparation sufficient to put the road IN
good condition, so that our county com
! missioners can accept it as a county
highway and keep it hereafter in repair,
as other county roads are kept, without
further expense to the state. There was
a surplus of over SO 600 left in the state
treasury after all claims were paid, and
this surplus both Mr.. Weller and Mr..
Fem unwisely permitted the legislators
from Washington and Boise counties to
grab for the purpose of repairing county
roads in those counties. This surplus
should have been kept to repair the state
road. But it is too late now to kick. We
must plan for the future. AS the con-
tract system has proven such dismal
and expensive farce the legislature must
be asked for an appropriation to be ex-
pended directly under the supervision
of the county commissioners. There
must be no more irresponsible appoint
i've" commissioners entrusted with the
disbursing of public moneys; or they
must be made responsible by giving a
good and sufficient bond to serve the
interests of the people instead OF indi-
vidual contractors. They should also be
prohibited from running for elective
Offices while serving the people in an
appontive capacity. Had this been the
law We should have been spared the
task of exposing this public scandal. AS
matters stand all three of the state wag.
on road commissioners came before the
people for election. Mr. WILEY was uI
for governor and Frank Smith for coun'
ty clerk in Washington county on the
republican ticket. Mr.. Wood was can.
didate for sheriff on the democratic tick
ct in this county. The road was build
ing while the campaign was in progress
We do not say that these incidents have
any relation to each other. or that an,
decker was made for the votes Of thu
contractors, but We do say that un
sciupulous men in like position Woul,
not hesitate to avail themselves q tn
advantages afforded them to strengt hel
their position. Men who are moral
weak are inca pable of resisting tempta
ton. The old adage: Lead us not in
to temptation" is as applicable to huma
nature to day as when the sentimen
was first voiced in the Holy land.