The record-union., 1893-10-18
A FINE CONVENTION.
The City and Country Unite for Good
Roads.
A Representative Body Declares for n
Policy Of Progress, Economy
and Improvement.

and Improvement.
It is rare that so successful conven-
ton, composed of such thorough repre-
sentative men; so enthusiastic upon the
subject that has called them together; so
inbued with the spirit Of progress and
the advancement of general interests;
pursuing such direct and sensible meth
DDS to obtain the objective point in
view, has been assembled, as the one
which met yesterday afternoon at the
Crocker Art Gallery.
A system was there inaugurated that
can be and naturally will be extended
and enlarged until the whole road mile
age of this county will be embraced in it.
Not ir the past twenty-five years have
we had deliberative body so thoroughly
representative in its character of the best
and most earnest thought Of the county.
It's proceedings were surprise and de-
light to the most ardent friends Of the
good-road movement.
1t is the opinion of the delegates that
the conclusions arrived at by the con-
vention are OF immediate, great and
distinct value to the Whole county, and
will have a tendency to at once materi-
ally advance its interests.
Out of 225 delegates appointed, about
2l0 were present, fact in itself eyincing
the strong feeling of interest taken IN the
movement by those who earnestly de-
sire the county to progress.
The meeting was called to order by
Daniel Flint, who stated that the conVen-
ton had met to consult together on the
subject of good roads. He called for
nominations for Chairman, and William
Johnston was elected by acclamaJlou.
w. d. Lawton was chosen ss Secretary.
The objects of the meeting were stated
in paper read by the Secretary and are
as follows:
THE OBJECTS.
This convention, being composed Of
city and county taxpayers who have been
chosen by the city and county authorities
because of the belief in their public spirit
and because of their interests in the cOun-
ty to consider the question OF county
roads, does hereby heartily indOrse the
following resolutions and urges the EX-
ecutive Committee TO be hereafter APP
pointed) to use their best endeavors 70
have them put into effect:
First-EXperlence the world over has
shown that tirst-ciaSs permanent county
roads are highly conducive to comfort,
convenience and profit, and are important
factors in adding to the general welfare
and prosperity of communities. and
should therefore be advocated and sup
ported by all who have at heart their own
welfare and the welfare of their surround
ings.
Second-Assuming it is agreed that the
construction of permanent county roads
of high character are therefore essential
to the welfare and prosperity of our
county. we believe that no time should
l. fs~.r, -
such roads; and, III view OF the large
number Of unemployed who are likely TO
be at our doors this coming winter, we
feel it a humanitarian duty on our part TO
begin such work at the earliest possible
moment so that the unemployed may SO
far as possible during the coming winter
be enabled TO perform honest work for
honest pay.
Ihird-We believe that if such public
work is begun by Sacramento County the
excellent example will most likely be
promptly followed by many other coun-
ties. and what now threatens to be one of
the most distressing winters the State has
ever known may, by atfording employ
ment 10 many otherwise Idle hands and
by The circulation OF many thousands of
dollars, be thus turned into perhaps one
OF the most prosperous seasons in the his
tory OF the state.
FOurth-Believing, as we do, that first
class county roads are benefit not alone
TO the farmer in saving of wear and tear
upon horses and rolling stock, in lessen
ing the cost Ofewagon transportation, in
adding to his comfort and convenience
and to the value of his lands, but that
they are also a benefit to the city mer-
chant by bringing more business to his
city; TO the city property holder by thus
adding To the value of his property, and
TO the wage-earner by atfording him-as a
result of increased osperity-higher
chances Tor steady employment, we there
fore advocate that the cost of such main
trunk county roads be borne by all the
taxable property in the county-city as
we'll as country.
Fiftb-We believe that the experience
of Sacramento County, where the road
work of the past has, as a rule, sheen of Il
temporary character compared with the
experience, for example, of Santa Clara
County, where all road work for many
years past has been of a higher and more
permanent nature, has made it plain that
the Sacramento County policy of patch
work is in the end the most costly and
extraYagant, and affords the taxpayer
little or no return for large outlays.
Sixth-We further believe, as a result
of the experience elsewhere. that a sys-
tenn of sprinkling for county roads is in
the direction of economy, adding, as it
manency of such roads and thus reducing
the cost Of maintenance and repairs.
Seventh-We strongly advocate that the
construction Of permanent Sacramento
County roads should be done under the
supervision of skilled road builders and
road engineers, and that such county
roads should be made second to none in
the State.
Eighth-It Is the sense of this conven-
ton, in the event of permanent county
roads being built, that, in order the
money so expended may be kept within
the county, the work to be performed be
given to bona fide residents of this
county, men of families receiving all
preferences.
Ninth-We believe that to build, and to
build as promptly as the best interests of
of the county demand. such permanent
county roads by system of direct taxa
ton would make such direct tax burden
some and oppressive, if not prohi bitory.
Tenth-Therefore, in order to distribute
the cost of such improvements over
long series of years and among larger
number of people, this convention advo-
Gates the issuance by the county of suffi-
cient 5-per-cent. interest bearing bonds
mot exceeding for present use $50, O,0O0)
to cover the cost of permanently lmprov-
ing the main or trunk roads throughout
Sacramento County.
Eleventh-Finally, be it resolved that
the Board of Supervisors be asked to
submit the question of the issuance of
bonds for the improvement of our county
roads to the people of this county at the
earliest possible date.
a. WE'LL BALANCED