The record-union., 1895-02-09
Good ROADS ERA.
CONTINUED FROM THIRD PAGE.


[ would start with the head of the Nation
and come down to some of the members
of this road convention and ask them to
be mem bers of my class"
Mr.. Woodson replied that the opposi-
ton to bonded debt had become a fad,
sentimental fad in many cases where
business sense should rule. The simple
facts are that in 1892, by overwhelming
majority, the people amended the Con-
stitution fixing bond period or limita-
ton at forty years. In that the people
settled the sentimentalists. In 1893 the
Legislature by a blunder retained the
word twenty in the County Government
Act. The report advises simply as the
Governors message does, that the legis-
lative Act be harmouized with the Con-
sttution.
AS to the policy of bonds, this is the
truth-in a majority of our counties we
have and do now pay more road tax than
will pay interest and principal on the
sum necessary to build many long
stretches OF permanent roads, and leave
few cents of the tax for sprinkling. Now
is it wise to continue as we have for forty
years and have no permanent roads, or
borrow and pay no more tax and yet
have the good roads and all the benefits
following in their wake, as increased
values, enlarged assessment rolls, lessened
rates OF tax alton, invitation to population,
hetterment of rural conditions?
AS to its putting debt on future
generations, why not? 1t is for the bene-
lit Of our children, let them bear their
share. But the fact is the Constitution
requires one-fortieth to be paid annually,
so that it is an even distribution over all
taxpayers who live forty years. Put the
bonds in five or ten-year groups and the
aggregate interests is decreasing at the end
of each period. He enlarged on the debt
question and gave some homely illustra-
tIons, and declared that all great enter
prises had been carried on, including
achieving our liberties and preserving
them on credit.
Mr.. Meacham of Sonoma contended
that bonding was unwise; pay as we go,
and get along as we can. lie quoted the
bonded debt of the nation and people to
show that pretty soon mans breath will
be mortgaged.
Mr.. Webster, farmer, replied sharply
in favor of the use of capital az low rates
10 achieve an end necessary to prosperity,
but was cut off by a point Of order.
buckingham Of SoIanO moved to amend
to allow townships to issue bonds 1or
roads in townships, the money to be col
lected from the townships voting for the
issuance of the bonds.
\. G. Hinkson of this city said the
amendment was supremely ridiculous.
4 county cannot issue bonds for road
in particular township.
The amendment was defeated and the
report was adopted with but three dis
senting voices.
WIDTH OF ROADS.
The report of the Committee on Width
of Roads was then taken uD and unaui-
mously adopted.
TRUNK LINE ROADS.
Following is the report of the Commit
too on Lima Roads Tho
mittee, Of which Supervisor Curtis of
Sacramento is Chairman, at the morning
session was given until the afternoon
to submit its report:
1.-THE subject of trunk line roads in the
State of California was discussed pro and
con by all of the members OF the commit
tee, and also by quite mum Der of public
spirited citizens who appeared before the
committee. The following resolutions
were introduced by Abbot Kinney Of Los
Angeles:
"ResotUed, That all roads should be
managed exclusively by the counties
severally.
"ReSoLUed, That the varying conditions
in this State indicate that the broadest
latitude should be given the different
counties to adopt and change their sys-
tenn of road management.
1.-The following suggestions for changes
III the road laws were also suggested
"The Boards of Supervisors of each
county in this State may, in their dis
cretion, declare certain main roads of the
county trunk roads, which said trunk
roads must be principal thoroughtares
running through one or more townships,
into which main roads minor thorough
fares or township roads lead.
For the purpose of improving said
trunk roads, or keeping them in repair,
the said Boards Of Supervisors may levy
a general road tax not to exceed one and
a half mills on each 81 valuation of prop
erty in said county IN any one year. all
the property in said county of every de-
scription to be subject to the levy OF the
said general road fund tax. The money
raised by said tax shall be applied ex-
clusiveIy to the roads which have been
declared trunk roads Dy the said Board
of Supervisors. The said general road
fund tax shall in no way interfere with
the present road fund tax as now levied
Your committee further recommend
that If the law as proposed above is
! impracticahle the Legislature be re-
quested to declare by Act that the true
Interpretation of the law is that where
supervisors so determine the matter OF
subjecting all property in the county for
taxation Tor improving the main roads,
including the property OF incorporated
cities, may be submitted to a vote of the
inhabitants of said incorporated cities or
towns"
The resolutions were adopted by the
unanimous vote OF the committee.
Llnscott moved to strike out one and
one-quarter mills and insert two mills.
Carried
The report was then adopted.
Lindley's substitute resolution on Nc
Councils resolution offered at the morn
| ing session was adopted.
The report of the Committee on Loca-
cation of Roads was adopted
ROAD BRIDGES.
The Special Committee on Road Bridges
submitted the following report:
''Y our special committee appointed to
report on matters of road bridges in this
State, beg leave to report and recommend
as follows:
WHEREAS, Much loss is often occa-
| stoned by the sweeping away of road
| bridges during freshets on account of de-