The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1896-04-11
FOR GOOD ROADS.
A Permanent Organization Made at
Higginsville.

Through the courtesy of Editor San
Kleinschmidt, of the Advance, we pre-
sent the following report of the Coco
Roads meeting:
HIGGINsVILLE, APRIL 1, 1896.
The road meeting held here Saturday
was a decided success. BY O'Clock the
court room was well filled with road over
seers and others interested in good roads
The meeting was called to order by
Walker was elected chairman of the
meeting and :. j. Kleinschmidt was
chosen secretary.
Chairman Walker in a few brief and
we'll chosen remarks stated the object OF
the meeting. Clarence Vivion was then
| called upon, and he responded briefly
He spoke of the grandeur of old Lafay-
cite county and the necessity of good
roads. He referred to the deficiency in
our road laws and urged that proper
steps be taken to correct the deficiency
Mr.. j. H.. DeBOlt, of near Corder,
then addressed the meeting. He also
referred to the deficiency in our road
laws, urged the necessity of good road
legislation, and gave special force to the
idea that u road overseers should be
practical men,. Too many of our roads
were not properly graded, neither were
they properly drained. He favored
general road supervision-the appoint
ment of an Industrious, practical super
lntentent of roads.
Judge j. w. Harrison was called upon
for an address. He said he had come
to heal and not to talk. He spoke of the
difficulties that road overseers had to
contend with. He thought general road
supervision impracticable. County court
- lo ,--Al 20 rfxyn rnoA nxynronnrc
more time to work. OverSeerS could
work a few men to a better advantage
than many. Thought many Overseers
worked ont the time allotted to them by
the court before they had time to work
all their men. He urged that the court,
the O~VerSeerS and people work in har-
mOny for the improvement of our roads.
j. w. Jefferson, of Napoleon, next
addressed the meeting. He thought
road Overseers ought to be given more
authority and greater privileges. Spoke
of the restricting instructions by the
county court. Thought the court had
exceeded its authority in fOrbidding
road OYerseerS to do special work on
roads without an order from the court.
He further stated that road overseers
were not given sufficient time. In his
district, he said, there were $50 men to
work on the roads, and he had but fifty
days to work them in.
Major Geo. z. Gordon, of Corder, was
then called. He spoke of the necessity
of good roads, and laid special stress on
the idea that the road Overseer should
be in perfect harmony with his people.
Thought Our grading facilities good and
the work well done, but needed better
drainage.
John ii. Walkenhorst then addressed
the meeting. He objected to so much
restriction by the court and argued in
favor of giving the overseers more time.
Said the overseer must be in touch with
the people and must understand his
people. Must know what kind of work
they are best able to do. Must also I'M
derstand the working capacity of teams
and know where to place them. He
urged that road o%verseers should not
only Oversee" but work themselves.
He thought overseers could always
accomplish more if they said, Come,
instead of go, boys"
J. w. Smith, of Sni-a- Bar township,
said he had not come to abuse or criti-
else the county court or the people. In
speaking of building culverts. he said
stone should always be used for build
ing the walls or abutments. In his dis
trict they had plenty of rock, and they
were using it. AS to the question of
time, he thought the court would give
more il the matter was properly pre-
Did not believe that we needed
We had m already, in the road COM
missioner. He, too, urged that court,
and the people work in unity
for better roads.
At this point Mr.. Jefferson moved
that a committee on resolutions be ap-
pointed. The chair appointed j. w.
Walkenhorst,. j.: w. jefferson, j. II.
DeBolt and j. w. Smith. The COM
mittee retired to prepare its report.
Henry Steinman, of Aullville, then
spoke briefly. Said he had never had
with the court while he was an
Always allowed his accounts
for work that was needed. Thought
that overseers should work with few
men. OverseerS should be practical
road men. 1t was always important to
know what to do and how to do 1t.
Frank Mills, of near this city, thought
court was doing the best it could
under the circumstances. He advanced
idea of using engines on road work
but engines didn't. Had tried the
in his district with good results.
Chairman Walker was then called
upon. He finds it a great trouble to get
men to work. Said many owned no
real estate, paid no taxes and wouldn't
work on the roads. Overseers could do
better work if they had the cash. He
state appropriations for road
work. Appropriations are made for
many things of less Importance to the
people than roads. He favored the
establishing of feeding posts along the
,oad between here and Kansas City, so
stock men could drive instead of ship
heir cattle, and thus ave from SIS to
$40 on a car load. He thought it was
for the county court to restrict
'%verseers.. Many, if not restricted,
would go too far.
Judge j. j. Filing, of Concordia, then
# a direct road tax. Township funds
be separate, and the levy should
" from 10 to Is cents.
Capt. A. 4. Asbury, being urged to
the meeting, made a few brief
emarks in behalf of good roads.
Mr.. Rambeau, of neal Odessa, next
addressed the meeting. He urged that
II road work be done at the proper time
4 the year. Work should be done early
n the spring: One days work in the
pring is worth three days work late in
he fall. All culverts should be built
With stone abutmentS. Thought most
{ our roads too narrow. Keep the
rush down and see that hedges are
ept trimmed.
The committee IN resolutions then
resented the following report:
Resolved, first, That it be the sense Of
his meeting that we favor the passage
f a law by the legislature, giving the
ounty road commissioner h power of
lperintending all road work in the
Resolved, secondly, That as road
verseers, we wish to do the best work
ossible, and to that end we respectfully
the county court to supply us with
he best machinery with which to do
lid work, and also give US ample time
work all hands.
Resolved. thirdly, That we go into
ornament organization to be known as
le Lafayette County Good Road Asso- t
alton. )
On motion the resolutions were taken :,
. and voted upon by sections. q
Resolution n was lost. Resolutions
and three were adopted.
Mr.. Jefferson moved that it be the
nse of this meeting that the greater
,rtion of road work be done between
g first of May and tbs latter part of
lily. Carried.
Mr.. DeBolt moved that the convention o
Oceed to the election of permanent q
1cers. u
William Walker was elected president, v
being the unanimous choice of the
INVENTION. j. w. Jefferson was elected
"a president.