The record-union., 1893-08-02
THE OUTLOOK FOR THE ROAD con-
NENTION.

The RECoRD-UNIoN is advised that of
the fifty-six counties of California the
Boards of Supervisors Of sixteen have in
dorsed the idea of the State Road Con-
vention and elected delegates. The 9TH
ers, therefore, remain to be heard from.
Of the fifty-six County Surveyors we are
told by the Committee of Promotion that
thirty have already written to the COM
mittee agreeing if possible to attend the
convention and indorsing it in terms at
once emphatic and eloquent. Some Of
these letters shown to us are models of
sharp criticism and public spirit
OF the Patrons of Husbandry and AL
iiances, subordinate bodies in consider
able number have elected delegates, as
also have several other bodies, and the
State Grange and State Alliance. OF the
Governors twenty appointed delegates
for the State at large sixteen have already
sent in letters of acceptance
So that while it is to be deeply re-
GREETED that so many Boards of Supervis-
ors have failed thus far to act, and that
some treat the call contemptuously and
while some agricultural influences OPP
pose it outright on the ridiculous ground
that road matters are of concern only to
ruralists and for the absurd reason that
they fear some one is trying to grind an
ax' at the farmers expense, the conven-
ton is assured of fine attendance.
The wheelmen, Horticultural Board,
several city boards, the State Board of
Trade and other bodies, have elected
delegates, and the Technical Society,
Academies of Science and several busi-
ness associations will also send repre-
sentatives. President Gilbert of the
Farmers Alliance is laboring with the
county alliances in favor of the conven-
ton, and every County Surveyor in the
State is exerting his influence for it,
though all cannot be present.
Engineer McClintock of the Massa-
chusetts Highway Commission has
agreed to present the first paper to the
convention after President Irvine of the
Committee of Promotion has opened the
meeting with his address, and Engineer
Mccullough of San Francisco will read
the second paper. No others will, we
are informed, be arranged for, and there
is no reason, therefore, why the conven-
ton may not get TO work and debate,
agree upon principles, erect an Exeeu-
tive Committee to be permanent body.
hear the statistics to be reported by each
County Surveyor, and conclude its de-
liberations in day and half at the out
side.
We apprehend that the statistical
showing of California road economies.
to be made up from the Surveyors re-
ports, is going to astonish the people and
show our farmer friends how seriously
they are mistaken in the idea that road
administration under past and present
conditions is economic. The fact is. the
agricultural class of California is paying
annually 80 per cent. too much taxation
for roads, and getting not 10 per cent. of
returns in the way of actual compensa-
ton for the outlay. The agriculturists of
California are wasting l6 per cent. of en-
ergy and 20 per cent. of time, and heaven
only knows how much else, annually
because of improper road construction
and administration, and these mean the
margins between profit and loss.
Why should there be any apathy about
or any opposition to the Road Conven-
ton? 1t is to be an assemblage admirably
representative, without politics, religion,
prejudices or caste; it is purely public
spirited and intended to contribute to
human comfort and the industrial purse;
to lessen cost of production to both pro-
ducer and consumer, and hence enlarge
profits and enhance values, besides max
ing rural life more desirable and attract
i've by elimination of distance and the
bringing Of town and country so close to-
gether that one may enjoy the privacy,
{ AS4ls III oAAA AAOSuOAAA VI lAiS AabbSly Will
the privileges, retinements and social ad-
vantages of the former.
Why any -one in all this broad land
should find cause for opposition in a
neighborly, public-spirited and philan-
thropic consultation of townsmen.
scientists, farmers, engineers and busi-
ness representatives upon the question of
the best and cheapest country roads,
/ passes our power to fancy.
! The country press will simply 40 a
duty it has largely already entered upon,
by exerring some renewed energy to
bring the apathetic and opposing people
in the interior up to a proper conception
of the purposes and benedcence of the
4 State ROAD Convention.
/ We are firmly convinced Of the sound
/ ness of the expression OF an eminent
writer:
I The roads that physical sign or symbol bv
( which you viii best understand any age or
people II they have no roads they are saw
ages. for tue road IS the creation Of man and
I the type OF civilized society.
Because the country road system of
] fo :