St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-02-21
GOOD ROADS AND TAXES.
TWO Topfcs Occupy the County Com
missioners, Session

ANo<1oS AM TAAES.
TWO Topics Occupy the County Conn
mtsstoners' Session.
Inc closing days session of the Min
hesota county commissioners and sur
Veyors' convention, which was held in
the Commercial club rooms Yesterday.
was devoted almost exclusively to the
discussion Of questions of general in
terest, especially the subject Of good
roads. The first speaker was a r
Choate, of Minneapolis, who expressed
the desire that the convention should
CO. operate with himself and others in
terested in the subject in securing a
good roads convention. City men were
not practical enough, and those in the
country We're not always we'll informed
but by bringing both together in con-
Ventlons good would result
THE first question" he said, sis how
to get the money, and a plan might be
evolved by the convention. NV idea
is that good roads fund should be
established. If it had been established
long ago, when the school fund had
been established, there would be plenty
or money now for good roads Five
per cent of the gross earnings tax
would give $4,000 a year One per
cent advance in the state valuation
would give a half-million dollars A
tax upon inheritances should be turned
into good roads fund, and put to
some good use.
Il would not have this fund used to
pay political debts, but put in care Of
a state commission, and have roads
divided into three classes-state, coun-
ty and township, or feeders-the COM
missioners to do the work 1 would
advocate, too, that county COM
missioners be empowered to issue
bonds. / know that farmers, as a
rule, are opposed to bonds, but 1 be-
lieve in them in this instance, as poor
roads are dearer than good ones. Min
nesota is an important state, and this
is great question which should not
be neglected. The original movement
in this state was started by wheelmen,
and that was really a disadvantage,
because many said that, if it was a
scheme on the part of the wheelmen
they would have nothing to do with it,.
but the interest this year is greater and
more general"
George H. Hazard said that it would
be good idea to inaugurate series
of good roads Institutes and introduce
the matter into the country schools.
Prof. Hayes, of the state experiment.
al farm, was the next speaker. He
thought a definite plan Of road building
persons and incorporated into the laws
Of the state. The system of changing
road supervisors every year was per-
nicous
II favor a system of pretty expert
county surveyors, accompanied by
good education in the building Of
roads," he said; land township boards
should have an extension of power.
1 lean toward the contract system. and
thl fay a thar. thor hn
road laws should be remodeled, as is
being done in Iowa, but the problem is
more difficult of solution in Minnesota.
because Of the varying character of
the land. However, this general sub
ject and the facts should be taken I'D
and considered by the Legislature or
some other central and competent
body"
H. H. Hart, secretary of the state
board of corrections and charities was
then called for, and discussed the sub
Jects OF preparatory steps for the con-
struction of county buildings and re-
lief of the poor. He thought the arch
ltect employed for such work should
be paid a lump sum, 50 as to remove
the temptation held out by the percent
age system. Neither would he ad-
wise the choosing of an architect by
the competitive plan, as it never gave
satisfaction. The way to do was to
select the very best architect availa-
ble-a man capable and honest. and
pay him for his services.
You have to build for the future" he
continued. land 1t requires careful fore
sight, so to provide for future needs We
all like to see a monumental building look
handsome but this character does not depend
upon the gingerbread work the carved stone
and the galvanized iron cornice, but upon the
elements of construction which tend to give
1t dignity, strength and fitness. Two-thirds
OF the court rooms in Minnesota have been
constructed without reference to acoustics or
health"
He also said that in Minnesota there were
not more than two suitable poorhouses Fort
unately, there were not many-under thirty
five They, had no provision for bathing.
none for the care Of the sick. Goodhue and
Ramsey counties had the only poorhouses.
Dakota county will build one which prom
ises to be an excellent one. the commission
ers having junketed in order to get plans
Otter Tail, Winona St Louis and other coun-
ties were sadly in need of poorhouses.
1.-THE care of the poor" he said sis one
OF the most difficult duties imposed upon
the counties. The relief of the poor is sa-
cred trust. The county has no right to
scrimp the pauper, but has no more right
to give aid where it is not for the good of the
kindness in disguise.
There should be scientific study of char
ity, by reading. by discussion: but it has to
be developed by actual experience. Paupers
are in two classes. chronic and temporary
1t is as hard to reform chronic pauper as it
is chronic drunkard. for his pride is dead
and he has the grab disposition, so that il
is hard to hurt his feelings. The second
class is harder to deal with because it should
be the object to prevent, If possible, an in
crease Of paupersm. Sometimes the pub
lie dole grows to taste very sweet to those
who have once had 1t, and thus it becomes
the easiest thing in the world to breed paul.
per. 1t sets bad example to the children oil
pauper families who grow up in the belief
that the county owes them a living
Speaking of children. Mr.. Hart said that
crime was decreasing in Minnesota, although
it was due to the practice here of picking
up children all over the state and sending
them to Owatonna. If a mother was a good
woman. she was entitled to her children, but
IL she was not they should be taken from her.
AS for the boarding of paupers. the speaker
advised paying s. per week, straight, as the