The Oskaloosa herald., 1892-08-25
ABOUT IOWA ROADS.
THE RESULTS OF THE IOWA BETTE
ROADS CONVENTION.

| Ing OLaE0 executive committees Which
will have the selection of the psrma.
nent officers:
First District-Wm. Stey, Burlington
Second-Peter A. Dey, Iowa City,
Third. NJ. Munsly, Jessup,
Fourth q. Fl. Bracket, Charles City.
Fifth-James Yuill, Cedar Rapids.
Sixth-Chas. F. Blake, Ottumwa.
Seventh. Il. Berry hill, Des Moines.
| Eighth-W. A. Mitchell, Corning.
NINTH. o. McCabe, Logan,
Tenth-G. l.. Tremaine, Humboldt.
EIeVenth-H. G. Wheeler, OdeboIdt.
THE RESOLUTIONS.
The report of the committee on reso
lutions gwen below, was adopted.
Whereas, the imperfections of the
present road laws of Iowa, so far as
practical results are concerned, are
manifest year by year, and
Whereas, the growing demands of q
great state, the necessities of its people
the requirements Of its greatly increas-
cd population, call with an emphasis
that means from our great common
wealth, a demandfOr action, a demand
for change in our present road laws
that shall make them more fOrceful,
more fruitful of practical results and
Whereas, at a delegate convention OF
the county, cities and towns of the
state, called to consider the condition
| of the common roads of the state,
eighty.eigh counties and 1870 cities and
| towns, in all parts of the state are rep
resented by duly accredited delegates;
| and
Whereas, This large representation
| is indicative, not only of a deep and
widespread interest on the subject, but
also or profound dissatisfaction with
existing condition of our highways and
with the operation of our statutes for
the working of roads, and
Whereas, 1t is deemed advisable
that steps be taken, by this convention
thus happily convened, to continue the
agitation now begun until it shall re-
suit in a permanent system Of road
betterment.
Now, therefore be it resolved, That it
is the sense of this convention that an
imperative need Of the people of Iowa
at this time is the Inauguration, at the
earliest practicable day, of a thorough
and business like system OF road i'm
proVements; to the end that, 80 far as
the state and its constituent parts can
effect the same, the expense of getting
the productions of Iowa to market
may be reduced to the minimum.
Resolved, That until further legisla-
tiOn can be had the county associations
herein contemplated are recommended
to take the following steps:
l. To set on foot a movement, in
every township of their respective
counties, looking to the consolidation
of the road districts in order that said
townships may avail themselves of the
permissive provisions of chapter 200 of
the acts of 1884.
2. To impress upon boards Of super
visors the desirability of levying the
county road fund tax, provided for in
section of the acts above mentioned.
3. Where it is apparent the public
interests will be best subserved by
larger immediate expenditure upon the
roads than the levy above contemplated
to urge upOu the boards of supervisors
the propriety of submitting to the peo-
pie the question of voting higher levy
or the issuance of bonds for the pUr-
pose of expediatlng the improvements
contemplated.
4. To agitate, in the cities and towns,
the question of the propriety of ex-
pending money beyond their limits in
Improving the highways leading there
to, under the authority given by the
statute.
ReSolced, That in view of the fact
that our present system of collection
of road tax in labor has been product
I've only of disappointment, not alone
to the general public interest but to
those in whose immediate interest it is
collected. We therefore favor the COL
lection of all road tax, except poll tax,
in money.
ResolUed, That the thanks of this
convention and the people of Iowa are
due to Judge E. IL. Thayer, our worthy
chairman, for his earnest and able
work in advocacy of an improved road
system of Iowa, and also to the gentle
men of the Commercial Exchange of
Des Moines for like interest and effort
in behalf of the great cause.
Hon. James &. Berryhill made Wig.
orous address on what he believed to
be the best plan of action in the con.
summation of the object of the con-
vention. He believed in higher road
tax levy.
Capt. Watrous offered the following
resolutions:
ReS0L0ed, That any permanent plan
of road improvement should include
state engineer of public highwsys.with
county engineers subordinate to him
and that all plans and specifications for
permanent Improvements Of roads and
all bridges costing more than 800, to
be approved by the state engineer,
The resolution called forth consider
2 discussion. Hon. o. w. Mitchell,
OF orning, said while he didn't care to
oppose the resolution, he believed it
would be better to postpone action of
this matter until the next convention.
The resolution was referred TO the
executive committee.
The following resolution was offered:
ReSol0ed, That we favor legislation
requiring the use of broad tires. pro-
portiOnate to the size OF the roads for
vehicles used on our highways.
The resolution was referred to the
executive committee.
A motion was adopted that the chair
man and secretary of this convention
shall be authorized to call q meeting Of
the executive committee at the earliest
possible time at any place they may
designate.
The chairman appointed the follow.
ing committee for procuring speakers
and arranging for road meeting dur
ing the session OF the agricultural So
ciety: j. Q. Oummins, Col. Scott, Capt.
Watrous.
The convention then adjourned sine
die.