The record-union., 1893-11-01
GOOD ROADS AGITATION.
The Executive Committee of the Con-
ventiOn is at Its Work,
Exchanges OF Views, Committees
Named and Preparation Made for
Missionary Campaign.

Hall of Records. William Johnston o!
Richland presided. OF the seventeen
members, the following were present
Messrs. Johnston, Hale, Mcconnell,
Coleman, Routier, Woodson, Miller,
Beckley. Butler, Gladney, Irvine, Law
ton. Flint and Keithley. Two were re-
ported sick.
Organization was effected by the cleo
ton of the following officers: President,
Hon. William Johnston; Vice-President
J. a. Woodson; Secretary, W. D. Law
ton.
The Chair then stated the purposes of
the meeting, and added the suggestion
that free conference be engaged in, to
ascertain the views of the members as to
the duty Of the committee under the au-
thority conferred upon it. This was
agreed to, and the members called upon
in order by the Secretary.
Mr.. Woodson said the convention had
outlined the policy to be pursued. With
that the committee should not interfere.
1t is its duty to execute, to devise ways
and means and to endeaVOr to fulfill the
purpose of the convention. But the
policy of the convention might be de-
bated incidentally, to enable the de-
termination as to means to be best arrived
ct. The hardest task would be the edu-
cational work, and the most difficult field
10 cover and handle would be within the
city, not in the country, because in the
city larger number OF voters must be
convinced of the wisdom of the policy
adopted by the convention.
Thomas Mcconnell Of Elk Grove said
that in his view the first question to set
tie is that of the legal liability that may
be imposed upon the city. Some in the
country had advanced the objection that
the city could not be held. That after
bonds were voted some one would throw
the matter into court, and then the country
would have to bear the whole burden. He
did not believe anything Of that kind,
but the idea was abroad and must be re-
moved by legal opinion or court decision
before the people could be approached on
any other proposition. Next the COM
mittee must be able to tell the people
what the roads are to cost, and how the
$3.50, 900 is to be disbursed, and how we
are TO get full value received. Then we
must be intelligent as to supply of ma
terial for roads, and lastly as to the costs
of various kinds. He favored gravel of
the right order as cheapest and best.
Macadam, he feared, would cost too
much to construct five twelve-mile
stretches from the county seat as object
lessons. He could show some splendid
gravel mileage that was ample in this eli
mate and soil. Such roads as that stretch
of good gravel on the Upper Stockton line
could be built for $1,000 mile.
L. w. Hale thought the opinion of the
Acknowledgement and Of other attorneys
should be at once obtained, as to the legal
liability of the city under road bonds.
That doubt cleared away, he thought the
rest would be accomplished, though it
involved some hard labor. He was
warmly in favor Of the policy of the con-
vention.
The Chairman expressed his conviction
that there Is really no legal question in it;
that it is as clear as day that the county
bonds voted relate to the whole county,
except the legislation specially eXcepts
some section OF the county from such liza
bility.
Mr.. Keithley agreed with Mr.. McCon-
nell. On the north side of the American
River the people were mainly opposed to
bonds. They need to be educated. He
proposed to attempt to educate them to
the best of his ability, and he would take
three townships and travel all through
them, and show the people that they are
mistaken. But first this legal question
must be cleared away. There ought to
be good printed matter to circulate, Civ
ing good road literature in plenty that the
people may learn the economic truths
involved.
Hon. Joseph Routier said that in his
section every one is in favor OF good
roads. and of the bond proposition. He
scarcely found a man the other way. He
argued at length to show the absolute
saving 10 the producer of permanent
good road. Though his section@had more
travel than any other, it had no good
roads. His people went to funeral only
the other day and it was a matter of life
and death-no joke-to get there through
the dust, and home again in the dark
over the boulders and chuck holes.
j. /. Gladney agreed with Mr..
Keithley. TO go on without clearing
away the legal doubt was foolish. His
people north of the American are almost
to a man opposed to the convention pol
icy of bonds and road building as pro-
posed. They need to be informed on the
subject as he had been.
J. O. Coleman said the assuming legal
question disposed of his idea was that in
each section several men and women
should be formed into committees who
are in harmony with the movement to
disseminate information first. Then
later let there be formed groups of citi-
ZenS to see TO it by bidding as was done
in this city with its streets, the lowest
bids are made and taken and thoroughly
good work assured. Thus the fear that
the money if borrowed, may not be
mated. Such procedure would overcome
a prejudice against the present methods
of eXpending county money, though he
had no fear of the officials and no doubt
as TO their desire to do the very best for
all the people.
John Miller said that down in his sec
tion-the lower river region-the people
want good roods, and as soon as they can
get them, too. He believed in the legality
of the bonds and their being binding on all
the county. But it would be well to get the
legal opinions suggested. He had favored
$780, 600 instead of half that sum. He
wanted the whole sum, and do the whole
work at once. He favored dividing what
the people vote into five equal parts. and
getting as much road for each trunk line
as the money viii secure. That will be
starter. He favored the district commit
tee idea, to act with sub-committees of
this body to assure the people of the
proper and economic expenditure of their
funds. In every precinct citizens can be
found who will act, so as to save every
cent of cost possible. 1t is a great, good
public work, and we have plenty OF good
men earnest for public good. He did not
want the people to vote in the matter ex
cept they are thoroughly convinced as to
the wisdom of the policy of the conven-
ton.
P. R. Beckley said that the people in
his end of the county asked mostly,
What is the scheme going to cost? Is it
going to increase taxation muchT' He
had not doubt about the legality of the
procedure; that did not trouble him at
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