The record-union., 1895-02-09
Inc laying out and opening up of the new
ioaos De paid from county genera fund.
j. a. LINSCoTT, Chairman.
AMENDMENTS TO BOND LAWS.

Ihat the amendment to the Constitu-
tlon, adopted in 1892, relative to county
ana municipal credit, fixed the limit for
such credit at forty years, but the Legis-
iature flxed the limit TO which municipal
itles may issue its bonds at twenty years.
our committee are of the opinion that
the law should be amended, fixing such
unit at forty years, as provided for in the
| Constitution. Your committee are of the
opinion that under such amendment
county governments could issue bonds
for any period less than forty years.
Your committee find that Governor
Markham, in his last message to the
Legislature, recommended such amend
/ ment to the statute, and in referring to
the same says: This has given rise to
confusion and has greatly embarrassed
the friends Of road reform. Respectfully
submitted. (Signed), a. G. Hinkson, j. l..
| Beecher, Jr., William Palmtag.
WIDTH OF ROADS AND RoADBEDs.
We, the undersigned, your committee
appointed to discuss and report upon the
width OF roads and roadbeds, respect
| fully report as follows:
The minimum width for county roads
should remain as at present fixed by law,
namely, not less than forty feet; the max
| imum width should not be specified
inasmuch as widely varying conditions
! throughout the State, varying density of
| population per section traversed. varying
| grades necesSitated over hilly or mount
alnous regions, require special considera-
| ton, and where, in some localities, eighty
! 1eet width of road would be ample, yet
! there are other localities without number
where bouleYards of l20 feet in width are
| more desirable.
Relative 10 the width of macadam or
| gravel 10 place on the road as an econ
! omlc proposition, we respectfully sub
NIT that owing to the cheapness or COM
| paratlVe lneXpensiVenesS in first cost of
an eIght-toot roadway of macadam and
It's economic features in cost of mainte-
nance, and the further fact that more
| miles OF good roads of an eight-foot width
| may be constructed with the same mon
| eyS than ten or tWelVe-fooG widths, that
1or the foregoing consideration we re-
specttuiy recommend the eight-foot
| width OF macadam.
There are, however, considerations of
the amount OF tonnage hauled over roads
ana quantity of teams travelling over
roads, especially those in close proximity
OF cities and towns, where it is more eX-
| pedleGt and more economical to the
travelling public TO make the said roads
SO macadamized from twenty to forty
teet IN width. Respectfully submitted.
lSigned), 5. +. Aver, j. w. White, w. p.
Stoneroad, j. G. Boyd.
ACTION ON REPORTS.
The report of the Committee on State
Engineer and Work OF Ohice was then
taken up.
Meacham of Petaluma wanted to know
II 1t was the desire to create more COM
missions. He was opposed 20 any action
OF that kind. He moved to strike out that
portion of the report relating to an adj
yisOry board.
Professor Soule of the State University
SAID the people of the State would not OBJ
Ject TO al advisory board or commission
II the result OF its labors would benefit
the interests Of the State, which would
surely ensue if the commission was Gre
ated and conscientiously performs its
work.
General Stone said the Massachusetts
highway Commission was organized
about three years ago and has done good
work. The wheelmen in the East have
been active In obtaining good roads The
commission of Massachusetts recon-
mended the construction OF roads under
the direction of the State.
California, however, is too LARGE for a
commission TO undertake the construction
OF good roads. The lay of the ground could
be investigated and if county engineers
were appointed they could. by aid of the
commission, give excellent advice as to
how roads should be Constructed, 1t
would be best TO have the Governor ap-
point commission with view to giving
TO the people of the State good roads,
Mcconnell OF Elk Grove moved an
amendment that one Of the commission
should be an experienced ad-builder.
Hunter OF Kern County said the matter
should be put into the hands of the State
University.
Professor Soule of the university said
the university could not be compelled to
take up the matter.
McCouneIl's amendment was carried
and the report as amended was adopted.
AN IMPORTANT MATTER OMITTED.
Mr.. WoOdson said the question of
bridges has been omitted in the proceed
ings OF the convention. On his motion,
Aver of Santa Clara County, White of
Kern County, Davis of Sonoma County,
LinscOtt Of Santa Cruz County and Pro-
fessor SOule of the State University were
appointed committee on the subject of
bridges.
COUNTY ROAD ENGINEERS.
The report OF the Committee on County
Road Engineers was then taken I'D.
Ashorook of Fresno said he was op-
posed 10 the adoption of the report. He
believed that the people are the best
judges as to who should be the surveyors
in their counties. AS the law now is, it
is the duty Of the Board OF Supervisors in
each county to consult and act with the
County Surveyor. Why the necessity of
an engineer?
Boggs of Coluss said all County Sur
veyOrs are not good road engineers. The
report is entirely correct.
Beever OF San joaquin County said the
Surveyors IN many of the counties are
nominated and elected on political lines,
The Supervisors should be given the
power to make their own selection of
man to supervise the construction OF the
roads in the county.
\ delegate from Placer County said the
proposed law might suit the Supervisors
but II would not suit the people. Those
who travel over bad roads should be al
lowed 10 choose their road engineers. He
wanted 1t obligatory on the part of Su-
pervisOrs TO appoint road engineer.
Hunter OF Kern County said in his
county a surveyor was paid 500 to sur
veg the road. The road could be con-
structed for that amount
delegate said the law requires a man.
TO hold the office OF County Surveyor. TO
be qualified TO perform the duties of his
office. More legislation might deprive
him of his office.
Professor SouIe said that in the uni-
versity there are surveyors who know
little about building. Ii does not
necessarily follow that a good surveyor
should be good road engineer or bridge
builder. one object in the committees
report Is that surveyor should also be a
good road engineer. No man is a Dracti-
cal engineer unless he understands the
theory of practice from top TO bottom.
AshbroOk moved as an amendment
that County Surveyors shall be road
engineers.
Brown of Calaveras said the law, if en-.
acted, would not exclude the County
Surveyor. When new roads are to he
constructed men should be selected who
understand their construction.
The amendment was lost
IRVINE OF Santa Cruz moved as an
amendment that the word "neyr,j "a