The morning call., 1893-09-08
WANT GOOD ROADS
4 Most important State
Convention.
MANY DELEGATES ATTEND.
They Discussed Various Plans for
Improving Public Highways, but
All Could Not Agree.

SACRAMENTO, Sept T. The State Board
Convention, called by the Sacramento Humane
Society, met at the Capitol to-day. There was
large attendance, including over $50 dele
gates from Boards of supervisors, Grange
alliances, wheelmen, commercial bodies and
the twenty delegates named by the Governor
Beautiful devices In flowers ornamented the
chamber.
Governor Markham called the convention to
order at noon and made an earnest speech in
dorslng road reform ard cOngratulating the
delegates on the character of the body.
X. c. Irving OF the promotion committee then
took the chair, and read an interesting paper
on road economies in California and need of
reform.
Committees were then appointed and recess
was taken until 2 P. NJ.
On reassembling A B. Lennon of Sonoma
was elected president, with vice presidents as
follows: A. p. Stanton, Santa Cruz; J. l..
Gilbert, Fresno; II. W. CorneIt. Mariposa; A.
e. Maudr, San Bernardino; Anna NJ. Reed,
MendocinO; Mary f. Merrill, San Joaquin; j.
A. Filcher, Placer; secretares-L. w. Ripley,
Sacramento; Thomas X. Knox, San Francisco;
Z. ID. Baldwin, San;a Cruz.
paper was then read by Rev. j. B. Koehne
OF Sacramento. 1t was written by Engineer
McClntock OF the Massachusetts, Highway
Commission OH how TO build good roads. An
Ernest Nj cCullough of Sa1 Francisco.
The convention then entered on a free COLI
ference. Delegates discussed road conditions
in various counties. Finally the members de-
sired some issues On which to build a plan of
action for the convention. Then ensued
lively scene over an effort TO call the roll of
counties and have each state its grievance.
That being defeated more free conference fol-
lowed on road laws and economics, engaged In
nv Wafn nF Of
laus. Phillips of Anador. Price of Colusa, Hol-
loway of Santa Barbara. Fulton OF Lassen,
Hebron Of Ventura aud Maslin of San Fran
cisco.
The chief points made were condemnation
of the rOad.overSeer system; that most of the
road money now spent is i'll administered; that
there are few good roads in the STATE; that
more money is speut on bad roads in few
years than would build permanent ones; that
road taxation is higher than there is any neces-
silly for; that road-buildng ought to be by
trained road engineers or experienced road
builders. Then came the bombshell Of the ses-
sion in the shape Of resolution favoring the
borrowing OF money for long term at a low
rate to build good roads instead OF the high
annual taxation for poor ones.
COrnett. representing the alliance organiZa-
tion. bitterly assailed the bond proposition as
bad and drain of interest 10 Europe. Vein
Stock OF Sacramento approved the bonds. and
declared it wise to hire money to achieve bene-
fits that taxation does not give. Maslin held
the same view. Mr. Reed OF Calaveras, Hitch
cock OF Tehama. Knox OF San Francisco Nc
CullOugh OF San Francisco, Becker OF Shasta
also approved the plan. IL was opposed by
Lindsay. Phillips. Hebron and others.
Mrs. Craig took The middle ground, and sug-
gested board of public works 10 administer
roa1 affairs. After a hot debate the matter
was sent TO a committee. At 6 o'clock the con-
yenti0G adjourned to O'Clock tomorrow.