Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1893-09-29
THE STATE WAGON ROAD.
Ought to be Constructed During The
Hard Times.



State road is subject over which
there is a wide divergence OF opin-
ion. Without entering into discus
sion OF the question as TO whether it
is a meritorious project or otherwise,
Is it not safe to say that If the road is
to be built, this season is an oppor-
tune time to do the work. This clos
ing down Of the silver mines has
thrown a great number of miners out
of employment. The abandonment
Of both freight and passenger trains
has sent into enforced idleness hun
dreds OF railroad men. Never before
In the history Of the State has there
been so much distress among the la
boring element. Work on the road
during the latter part OF the summer
and fall would have enabled many
poor man TO have earned few dol
lars, which would have tided him and
his family over the present pinch,
and possibly through cold and in
hospiiable winter which is now APP
preaching. In this wav the cons,ruc-
ton of the road would have been
beneficence. WHY is it that this is
not done? that the funds for the
project are being FILTERED away in
paving mileage and per diem OF road
commissioners, who travel from the
remote parts of the State to the Cap
ital CITY, and hold long sessions for
the purpose OF coming to the concln.
sion that nothing can be done? No
particular fault can be found with
the commissioners; there is fat
goose 10 pluck, and they are going to
get their share OF the feathers, and
that is all there is to it. A glance at
this wagon road scheme will reveal
one of the most bunglingly managed
affairs that has ever disgraced the
State. 1t is not only badly managed,
but there is a cold heartlessness
about it that is contemplate.
After the wagon road bill passed
the Legislature it was discovered
that It contained an error. To rene
dy this defect it was repealed and
passed in en- amended form. At this
stage Of the proceedings the Cover
nor interposed. 1t will be remem-
bered that he was eternally meddling
with the work of the Legislature last
winter, and always on the side Of ex-
travagance and jobbery. When The
wagon road bill came up for its Sec
ond passage he insisted that it should
be so amended that the money Dor
rowed for its construction should be
paid to the State in instsllments, or
as the State officers called for it. In
order to avert veto the bill was
made to comply with his wishes. Now
comes the denouement. The bonds
were sold last spring to New York
firm, and an installment of $40 600
called for, and promptly paid. If the
whole amount had been called for at
that time 1t would have been forth.
coming. In the meantime the 6nan-
cial crash came; money was not to be
had; then our New York men said,
we have got your bonds to the ex.
ten, of $4,000; we do not want any
more. So Idaho is stuck for Just that
amount, and il the balance of the
money cannot be raised from some
other source, it is just like making
$4,000 present to the Wall street
fellows. Had business methods been
followed this disreputable transaction
would not have been imposed on the
abused and overburdened tax PAYERS
Of the State. Bless your poor confid.
ing nature, this is not the end Of the
wagon road steal. Next wear we
will be in the throes of a political
Then the wagon road
scheme will be drawn from its win
tors coneealment. Like some OF
those animals that hole up for the
winter and crawl out in the spring.
The wagon road will make its appear.
ance, and next summer il will cur
quite figure in the campaign. Fat
contracts will be let TO subservient
friends, advertising patronage will be
bestowed upon plant newspapers.
md road supervisors and road com.
will cover the State as adj.
uncts to my senatorial boom, saws
he Governor. Not much road build
ng in this, bat heap of politics. If
hs poor laborers could hole up with
heir families for the winter they
hight crawl out and enjoy the pros.
eriiy next summer, but as this can't
e done, they must suffer, and wait
niil the time comes TO lubricate The