The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1893-02-02
MINNESOTA NEWS.
Good Roads.

A1A 4AVAV Inv i "A ~ - ~ ~
Good Roads.
The good roads convention met at the
state capitol and q general discussion OF
the condition of roads in the state. with
some suggestions from Mr.. Sneider OF
Ramsey county, who thought roads
should be improved under contract by
the direction of the county surveyor.
Mr.. Farnham of Wright county ar
gued for the repeal of the poll tax law,
the present laws and poor overseers he
thought were responsible for the pres
cnt condition. He cited instances of
roads in his county which had been put
in fine condition at cost OF $500 a mile
Gen. Andrews thought that if Canada
could build macadamized roads, that
the United States can. He said the cost
IF such roads in Victoria was from S.
700 to 5000 per mile. H. S. Fairchild
took issue with Gen. Andrews and said
that in New Jersey it cost $4,000 a
mile to macadamize roads, and it cost
10000 here. He was in favor of using
material near at hand, such as gravel,
etc.
Mr.. Hagan of Mcleod county sug-
gested the employment of convict labor.
Mr.. Tollman of Chisago presented a
resolution abolishing poll tax and sub
stituting an annual tax of 81, prohibit
ing anyone from voting unless tax re-
ceipt could be shown.
E. j. Hodgson read a paper on Estate
dc If
Such Organization" in which he made
many valuable suggestions.
Rufus Cookies civil engineer of note,
read an address on "Stone Roads-the
two Systems. Telford and Macadam,
Compared; Common Gravel Roads;
Foundation Mineral for Wearing Sur
face"
The convention elected the following
officers for the Minnesota State Road
improvement association: President, A.
B. Choate, Minneapolis; treasurer, E.. J.
Hodgson, St. Paul; secretary, F. L.
Hoxsie, st. Paul. Directors:
Clay-Andrew Cragness. Moorhead.
Carleton-W. r. Mayer, Carleton.
Chippewa-C. e. Barbour, Monte
video.
Dakota-T. T. Smith, South st. Paul.
Dodge-John V. Little, Kasson.
Fillmore-H. r. Wells, Crestonville.
Freeborn Loren Blackmer, Albert
Lea.
Houston-K. Q. Briggs, Houston.
Hennepin-W. s. Chowen, Chowen.
Kandiyohi- Olson. Willmar.
Meeker - James Madigau, Manuau-
nah.
Mower-C. S. Hoppe, Dexter.
Norman-Wesley jenkins, Ada.
Pine-Dan McLoren, Huxley.
Pipestone-C. c. Goodnow, Pipestone.
Ramsey-C. G. Andrews, st. Paul.
Douglas-John Nelson, Brandon.
Lincoln--Chas. Metcalf.
Olmsted-John Cornwall, Orono.
Rock--E. L. Trout, Beaver Lake.
Renville-O. F. Peterson, Hector.
Rice-R. M. jackson, Faribault.
Redwood-James Arnold, Vista.
Scott-Casper Roderig. Jordan.
Waseca DIR. D. s. Cummings, Wa
SEGA.
Wadena-H. w. Fuller, Wadena,
Winona-J. T. Wilson, Winona.
Washington - William Armstrong,
Oakdale.
The following resolutions were
adopted:
l. All highway tax should be paid in money,
and poll tax abolished.
2. Township road districts should be abolish
ed, and the highway taxes expended under the
direction of the board of township supervisors
who shall be elected for three years, one each
year.
3. Each township should raise not less than
mill tax, and no greater than 20 mill tax in
any one year.
4. All bridges costing 500 or more should be
county bridges erected under the direction OF
the county board, but kept in repair by the
townships, and the cost Of such repairs refunded
to the towns by the county.
5. The system of assessing the cost of high
ways upon the benefited property holders has
been successfully adopted, and In many coun-
ties OF this state there is q strong sentiment in
favor Of applying this principle in the making
Of county roads. We therefore favor such
changes in our constitution and bylaws as will
permit the people Of any county, city or town.
ship, by majority vote, to adopt this plan Of
assessment against benedciaries, provided that
benefits conferred.
8. The exemption Of unused railroad lands
from taxation is in many counties the greatest
hindrance to good roads.
We therefore demand stch change in our
laws as will subject all such land to taxation.
We also demand tina: all railroad land be SUBJ
ject to special assessment for streets, roads and
other purposes, the same as on other lands,
wherever such policy OF special assessment
may be adopted.
Z. All swamp lands with the state not ap-
DrOnriatod to cOrnoratiOnS and earned NV them