The record-union., 1897-01-07

labor on the roads where there is no
county farm
1t provides unusual punishment at
the discretion of a ministerial officer
fer prisoners convicted of offenses be-
low the grade of felony. 1t gives power
to legislative board to cut short SEN
tences imposed by the courts.
But the main objection, if for argu-
ment's sake it is conceded that the other
objections may be disposed of easily, is
that 1t is simply impossible to make
good roads, or do good work on road
construction or maintenance by any
such system of enforced labor, or the
employment of such fugitive and chang
ing forces, or under any such direction.
This idea of roadmaster and poor labor
work on loads has been the bane of
good road construction for half CEN
tury or more. 1t is the costliest possible
kind of labor; 1T is the least fruitful kind
of labor, and it never has and never will
| be resultant of effective and economic
road work.
No one with half an idea of getting
| good results would think of building a
| house on such a plan; no one would
| dream of accomplishing any finished,
permanent and desirable construction
for his occupancy, use and comfort and
| convenience on such a level
| Landowners and taxpayers are en-
| titled to the best for their money in
road work. This digging UP, blowing
UP and scraping over of county roads
under roadmasters has been the curse
of road systems in California, and is in
all highly enlightened communities
abandoned and condemned. Engineer
ing supervision, skilled labor largely
good material purchased in large lots
transported at just the right time and
exactly to the right spot, and handled
with least loss of time and margin OF
waste are the need. System, harmoni-
Gus in each part of the whole, conserves
cheapness and effectiveness.
The barrack guarding, feeding, lodg-
ing and working of such force as is
| contemplated would, with the added
pay, cost more to the road districts than
free labor at So a day directed by in
dependence, self-care and intelligence
Moreover, the proposed system takes al
the tramps and vags of towns and cities
and claps the burden of support upon
| the shoulders of the people living out
side of corporate and town limits.
| 1t is conceded that the wil1ful vagrant
ought to be compelled to work, and that
work should be provided to that end
that will yield enough to support the
fellow. 1t is conceded that the unfortu-
nate poor, without home, shelter, food
or means, ought to have opportunity tc
earn a living, and that poor farms and
county homes for the INDECENT are prop
erly established for all such. In the
East these institutions are generally
successful The laws of California now
provide for homes for the INDECENT and
for poor farms and work thereon. But
these should not be herded with the
willful vagrants and county convicts
They do not deserve to be degraded by
such enforced companionship.
This whole question of public relief is
one of profound interest and ought tc
command the most earnest attention
but the system as suggested by the bill
under notice is bad, at least SO far as 4
applies TO tanlpering with the roads
which Heaven knows have swallowed
UP enough millions of the peoples
money without visible useful results
Whatever is done in the matter OF
4 road construction and maintenance
must hereafter be- accomplished with
economy, pernanence, ,and in line with
the best known methods-the day of tbs
| fugitive roadmaster road work has
passed forever wherever experience
scientific knowledge and discovery
have enlightened the people.