The record-union., 1893-09-08
TEE ROAD CONVENTION.
Nearly Two Hundred Delegates From
Various Parts of the State.
An Animated Scene in the Senate
Chamber-What the Various
Committees Want.

The much talked-of State Road Con-
vention met yesterday in the Senate
Chamber Of the Capitol. Nearly 200
delegates were there from all parts of the
State, and it was busy scene. The body
is thoroughly representative, highly in
telligent and as fine group of citizens as
has gathered here in many years.
The chamber was handsomely decora-
ted with flowers and ferns, the work hav-
ing been done under the direction of J.
o. Coleman by the following ladies: Miss
Emma Kunz, Mrs. L. L. Lewis. Miss
Lewis, the Misses Heilbron, Miss Mamie
Smith, Miss Minnie Dwyer, Mrs. Daniel
Flint, Mrs. Amariah Johnson, Mrs. j. 0.
Coleman, Mrs. James Beebe, Miss Stef-
fens, Mrs. James 1. Felter, Mrs. r. D.
Stephens and Mrs. r. C. Irvine.
On each delegates desk lay a bunch Of
fragrant posies and the clerks and
Presidents desks were literally buried
beneath them.
The decorators resorted to a clever
scheme for illustrating forcibly to the
delegates the difference between good and
bad roads. To the left of the Presidents
stand stood handsome horse and two
scatter (the horse was a most life-Hke
ngure) carrying lady and two child
rem, also dummies, but most liie-like IN
appearance. To the right OF the stand
was the old skeleton of poor equine
which has been on exhibition at the
corner Of Eleventh and j streets for some
time. On the line rig hung sign an
nouncing that 1t travelled on good roads.
The bOne-rack was supposed to be a
victim OF bad roads. The conceit was a
novel one and caused considerable
amusement
The convention was called to order at
ll:4U by j. a. Woodson, executive OFFICER
of the Committee of Promotion. He APP
pointed Messrs. Gardner of Sacramento,
Green Of Colusa aud Lennon of Santa
Rosa, as committee to go to the Gov
ernor's Office and escort him into the
chamber
There was burst Of applause when
Governor Markham's tall figure was
recognized moving down the center
aisle.
The Governor said be felt grateful for
the honor conferred upon him. He ex-
tended to each and every delegate a
hearty greeting and a cordial welcome to
the capital Of the State. He said he be-
Ileved that everything that could be done
would be done by the people of Sacra-
menUO to make their stay pleasant, agree
able and profitable. Sacramento" he
said, always has faculty for caring for
her friends, and | am sure she will do it
now. 1t Is eminently proper that this
convention should be held in the capital
for whatever you do the result will be for
the benefit OF every citizen and every
section III the State"
The Governor facetiOusiy referred to
the illustrations on either side Of him.
Everybody envied the smooth-road rig,
he said, but he thought his horse' on the
other side should be deserving of SYM
mai nv THE road nf tbn (tnNnrnnr hn
said, was hard one; it was full OF chuck
holes, and the miIe-pOsts were q long way
apart.
The Governor concluded his remarks
by announcing the convention open and
ready for business.
Il. {. Irvine was introduced as the
committee Chairman OF the convention,
and he made an address. Mr.. Irvine re-
ierrcd largely to the eXperlnce OF Sacra-
meutO County with her roads. y penny
wise and pOund-toolish policy had been
in vogue for years, and while thou
sands upon thousands OF dollars
had been expended upon the roads,
the county had nothing to show
for it. The roads would be patched up
during the summer only to be washed
out and destroyed again in winter. The
Importance Of good roads was obvious to
all. But they should be roads, which,
while they might cost more at the begin
The money that had been expended in
Sacramento County on the roads, he said,
would lay every road in solid masonry.
The duty of the convention was plain.
1t should devise a plan for the general
Improvement of the roads OF the entire
State, and present it to the next Legisla-
ture i'll such manner that its meaning
cannot be mistaken nor its purpose
thwarted.
Mr.. Irvine upon concluding announced
that the Promotion Committee had ap-
pointed W. d. Lawton and L. w. Ripley
as temporary Secretaries.
A. c. Hinkson moved that a committee
Of seven be appointed on Permanent Or
ganization, and the motion was carried.
Motions to appoint Committees on Gre
dentials and Order OF Business followed,
and were carried.
The Chair appointed the committees
and then a recess was taken until
o'clock, in order that the committees
might prepare their reports.