The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-03-24
GOOD ROADS.
A Plea From Bay County.

To the Electors OF the State OF Michigan
The Legislature has submitted to the cleo
tors Of the state proposition to amend the
constitution so as to permit Of the enact
ment of laws providing for county system
of roads. This proposition is to be voted
upon by the people on the third day of
April, 1898. 1t is, therefore, important that
its provisions should be understood.
The amendment will authorize the Legis-
lature TO provide for the laying out, con-
structiOn and maintenance of county and
township roads; the county roads are to be
maintained at the expense of the county and
the township roads the same as now at the
expense of the township. The commission
ers who will have charge of the county
roads are to be elected by the people. A
tax, not exceeding two mills on the dollar of
the assessed valuation, is authorized.
Counties cannot incur Indebtedness for the
construction or maintenance of county
roads except upon vote of twO-thirds Of
the supervisors, approved by majority vote
of the electors of the county. Such indebt-
edness cannot at any time exceed three per
cent of the valuation.
If this amendment should be adopted and
the proper statute passed by the Legislature
in pursuance thereof, even then 1t would
not become operative in any county which
did not want it; for by the amendment it
self it is expressly provided that 1.-THE coun-
ty system shall become operative only in
such counties as shall adopt it by majority
vote of the electors OF said county, after the
said question has been submitted to the m
by two-thirds vote of all the members
elect of the board of supervisors of such
county at a general or special election called
for that purpose"
Every elector in the state should vote for
the amendment. 1t is well known that
there are some counties in the state where
the present highway system does not afford
all that the business interests require. In
those counties, for several months in the
year, the roads are practically impossible
for the purpose of hauling loads. Such
counties need relief, and the electors of the
state should be willing to give it to them.
There are counties where no such relief is
needed. Under the amendment as now pro-
posed each county determines for itself
whether ii will adopt this county system or
not; counties not desiring it need not have
it; il will be only operative in those counties,
which in the future, see fit to adopt it. The
question must be proposed by two-thirds
vote of the board of supervisors and then be
adopted by majority vote of the electors of
the county. This is the principle of local
option, letting each county of the state de-
termine for itself what it needs and what it
will do.
Bay county requires this improved sys-
TEN. The territory of this county is flat,
the soil is mainly deep clay, not suitable
for the making Of good roads and the ordi-
nary township system is not adequate to
satisfy the needs Of the people. Formerly
there would be several months in each year
when the roads were practically impossible
for loaded teams; all traffic was suspended.
Several years ago the people of this coun-
ty undertook to improve their highways and
have expended considerable sums of money
in so doing. The result is that these i'm
proved highways have added to the value of
every acre of land within the limits of the
county; farmers are able to bring their pro-
ducts to the towns at all seasons of the year.
and the towns people are better supplied.
The COST of characterization ia diminished IN
is of advantage to both the farmer and the
resident in town; to the producer and the
consumer. Owing to a recent decision of
the Supreme Court constitutional amend
ment has become necessary to enable the
people of this county to maintain these
roads. The amendment is now before the
people, and we earnestly urge every electOr
of the state, in the interest of local self gov
eminent, to vote for the amendment. If
you do not want this county system in your
county, your voting for the amendment does
not require your county to adopt it. 1t
merely opens the door for counties situated
like ours; it will give us an opportunity to
save the expenditures we have already
made. The people of Bay county almost
unanimously favor this measure. The
Business Mems Association of Bay City
cordially supports it. AT the recent county
conventions of both democratic and repub
lcan parties resolutions expressing approval
were adopted without a dissenting voice.
At late meeting of the board of supervis-
ors like resolutions were unanimously
adopted and committee appointed to urse
it upon the electors of the state.
Please give us your vote and urge others
to do the same. There are other counties
in the same situation as Bay.
CHAs. CHASER,
Nlo;,