The record-union., 1893-12-22

matter in these communications will be un-
derstood 10 represent only the views of the
writers. All communications must be accom-
panied by the name of the writer, not for
publication unless so desired, but as a guaran-
tee OF good faith.-EDS.
a Road Plan Proposed and an Answer.
EDS. RECORD UNION: Having been
present at the County Road Convention
in September and on the 18th inst, and
at those meetings every moment of time
was taken up judiciously. l presume, by
good speakers, l retrained from inter-
posing my voice. | ask space in your
columns, hoping TO reach more than my
voice possibly could.
| am opposed to the $500, 900 bond prop
ositiOn, because it is needless eXtrava-
gance putting such an amount upon
l20 miles of country roads. 1t was ably
argued it would enhance the value of
property more than that amount and in
duce the incoming of capital. When the
capitalist contemplates investing his first
inquiry is "What is the Indebtedness of
the town or county? What is the rate of
tax?" When he learns that this county
is mortgaged for S1,l00,000 he will most
assuredly make use of our good roads-to
get to another county.
Leaving good roads and high valued
property for the next generation, mort
gagged to the county for three-fourths of
what it will fetch, will bring no honor or
thanks upon our heads. This 500, 600
upon l20 miles of roads is only fraction
OF our county roads. When all is COM
pleted, what will be our Indebtedness
l think | realize the high importance of
good roads. Now, for my suggestion.
Were | to take a contract TO put the
roads of this county in good condition
and keep them so for twenty-five years,
l would collect together the front wheels
from under all the farm wagons and have
one good bonfire, remove the tires and
felloes from the hind wheels and put
them on also.
Not less than six-inch tires should be
used on either front or hind wheels.
Then grade the roads high. open out
drainage for half dozen miles out of
town, keep the roads properly sprinkled
for a couple of years. a few bad spots
might need graveling.
With these road rollers each farmer
would use in a lew years the surface
would become thoroughly packed.
Why not try this experiment first?
The roads must be first graded for the
contemplated macadam so nothing would
be lost in that direction. | think it very
doubtful if the macadam can remain in
tact without an endless expense of
sprinkling if people continue to use such
is now in use.
In all the talk at the convention the
only reference to wide tires was simply a
request for the Supervisors to refer to
Placer County. In France wide tires are
required by law, and in some other coun-
tries the same.
Why is it that the engine wheels that
go out with the thrasherS have wide tires,
the incest riding buggies in Jackson
Park last summer had tires two and one
half inches in width?
A physician called to patient first
learns the cause of sickness and then
seeks to remove the cause. Our roads are
dangerously sick; the whole cause is the
Notwithstanding wheels. But they can
be put in order by distributing only q
small fraction OF the proposed bond fund.
L know whereof l affirm, having used
these wheels, such as are now in use tor
over forty years. 1 hope the voters VIII
give this careful consideration before
they vote to mortgage this county for
5000 more on top OF the 5000, 900 we now
owe. L am aware OF the objections TO
high wheels-extra expense Of loading.
But is it not economy to expend SIG IN
loading certain amount and save Sl5 in
transportation?
1t is the small wheel that goes to the
bottom OF the small hole, while the large
wheel rolls over. Again [ repeat, nothing
would be lost in trying the high grade
and wide tire, more than a couple OF
years, and it would save the interest On
the $4,000 of bonds.
f. A. C. NICHOLS.
The correspondent is in error, and op-
posed to all authority and experience, in
the assertion that any amount of rolling
will make good wearing and economic
road with no other than soil material for
a roof and earth for substructure. Wide
tires are necessary; but to make the width
six inches, irrespective of the weight car
ried, would be unwise and oppressive.
The idea that the bond issue is to increase
obligations is diSs1pated by the simple
fact that under the present system the
annual obligation and output to meet it
for road purposes exceeds that which will
be created and required to give us perma-
nent and ineXpenSively maintained roads.
A youth applied for position of trust,
and was given it with a good living in
come upon the condition that he discard
his rags and clothed himself decently, as
the position offered demanded. His father
said to him: You cannot take the place
then, since you are in debt now, and un-
able to buy new clothing, and it is unwise
to incur further Indebtedness to procure
it, even TO insure you permanent and
good income" But the youth held diff
ferently, incurred the debt necessary, Sc
cured thereby the position, which en-
abled him not only to pay the debt but
to live comfortably thereafter, and to
draw an income from which he stored up
saving unto wealth. That is the case to-
day with Sacramento County. Its roads
are ragged, i'll adapted to our needs, and
keep US in rut that is uneconomic. The
question is, For value to be received is
it wise to incur obligations that will give
US ability to discharge them, and leave
us in possession of that which we desire,
and which is essential to our prosperity?
Will not capital. population. industry
and prosperity sooner come and dwell
with US if our condition is more inviting,
and we prove ourselves possessed of the
cOurage to make it so ?-RECORD- u MON.