The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1896-02-28
FOR BETTER ROADS.
So Declares the Good Roads State
Convention at Little Rock.
forty-Four Counties in the state Repre-
sented-A 2-MiIi Tax Lexy Is
Recommended

a state convention to be composed OF
delegates from the respective counties
to meet in Little Rock on February 25
/ to consider the subject of roadmaklng
under the present laws of this state,
and to suggest and devise the best plans
practicable to promote and secure good
roads and highways throughout the
state
The Importance of the question to be
considered aroused much interest
| throughout the state, and when the
convention was called to order in Rep
resentative hall on the above date
there was large and representative
gathering of citizens from "A counties
in the state. The proceedings of the
convention was marked by a singleness
of purpose, and that for which the con-
vention was called. In the discussions
each speaker seemed to realize that the
, states industrial and commercial
growth depended, to great extent
upon good roads.
The convention was called to order
by A. c. Millar, president of Hendrix
College, and after prayer by ex-Gov.
Eagle and short addresses by Gov.
Clarke and President Millar. the con-
vention elected the latter gentleman
chairman. III. II. Nickel, of Ozark.
was appointed secretary and George C.
Naylor, of Little Rock, and w. M.
Neal, of Helena, as assistants.
call of the roll showed that there
were present about 200 regularly APP
pointed delegates, representing A coun-
ties. The League of American Wheel
men of the state was represented by
seven delegates.
At the night session, the committee
Der from each judicial circuit, reported
the following through Capt. William
McGuigan, of Garland county:
Resolved That the convention recommends
that the Gener Assembly be requested to
submit to the pie a constitutional amend
ment allowing - several counties to levy a
2-mill tax to be used for road and bridge pur-
poses
Resolved, That we favor the working OF d
portion of the state convicts the Iblic roads
and bridges under such regulations may be
necessary at the option of the county courts of
the various counties.
We further recommend that the two papers
read before this honorable body be furnished
TO the press OF the state for publication
A motion was made that the paper
read by Judge w. f. Avery, of Ouachita
county at the afternoon session be sub
stituted. Among other recommended
tions made by Judge Avery was the
calling of constitutional convention
to make not one but a large number of
changes in the Constitution. A run
ming debate ensued on this portion of
the amendment and it developed that
a large majority of the delegates were
opposed to the calling of constitu
| tional convention, but were favorable
to the submission of constitutional
amendment authorizing the levy of a
tax of mills for road purposes.
A motion to re-commit the resolu-
| tons was laid on the table, as was also
the Avera substitute by decisive vote.
The resolutions presented by the
committee on resolutions was then
| adopted by a vote of more than two to
one.
A motion for the chairman to ap-
point committee of five to prepare
and present to the next legislature
bill embodying the sentiments of the
| convention was carried.
The committee on resolutions was
instructed to make supplementary re-
port at the morning session, after
which the convention adjourned.
On reconvening on the second day
| President Millar addressed the conven-
ton, giving his views and expressed the
belief that good roads could be OBJ
tanned under the present constitution
and without amending it by the county
| Judge having the road overseers prop
erly work the men and boys in his dis
trict. After which the committee on
resolutions presented the following
supplemental report:
| That we recommend to the next General As
sembly the passage of an act amending Sec
9S5 of Sandel & Hills Digest, giving the county
! courts the power to feed county conyicts when
working them on the public roads.
| That the chairman of this convention be re-
/ quested to appoint committee OF five persons
who possess practical knowledge of making
| and working roads, to devise ways and means
| under our present constitution for making and
| improving the roads of this state, and submit
the same to the next legislature for its APP
prevail or rejection, and that the chairman
! have sufficient time in which to appoint said
committee and that he announce said commit
tee in Little Rock daily papers; that If the
| said committee find that the improvement dis