The record-union., 1897-12-06
SATURDAYS ELECTION.

The outcome of the road bond cleo
ton in this county on Saturday was a
distinct triumph for progressive princi-
pies and enlightened ideas of admins
tering public affairs. 1t was as direct
public condemnation of uneconomic
systems OF road building of the past as
could we'll be delivered at the polls.
That II was the result of the very
vigorous campaign of education prose-
cuted in the past four weeks by the
Commission, the State Department of
Highways and the old and new guard
of good road systems is undeniable.
1t must be assumed that the two
thousand five hundred or more voters
Who did not go the polls clearly under
stood that by remaining away they dis
tinctly affirmed the proposition in IA
Vor Of the road. Nothing was made
palmer than the fact that silence would
give consent. We have the right,
therefore, to say, that of the 5000 vot-
ers Of The county who could be rallied
TO the POLLS in political election, some
1000 are squarely in favor of radical
reform Of the road methods of Sacra-
mento County.
Officials, therefore, who fail TO heed
this emphatic expression of the people,
viii meet with public rebuke that will
endstheir political careers, as the cleo
Of
of those officials who arrayed them
selves il favor of adherence to the
wasteful and valueless methods of the
past.
The result of the election, in the
opinion Of the Record Union" is of
1nestimable value to Sacramento Coun-
ty insproclaiming it abroad as progress
sive. its people as public spirited, re-
solved upon improved and economic
methods along all lines, and that both
city and county have entered at last
upon a new system that will invite to
us desirable population, encourage in
VeStmcnt Of capital, and enlarge the
material industries Of the community.
1t would be unseemly and unchival-
71c, since the contest has closed, to Wis
1t repnoaches upon those citizens who
voted no. They have met defeat and
like good citizens will accept the verdict
OF the ballot box and share In the bene
htsvto flow from this expression of en-
larged perception Of what policies be-
come progressive people We regret
that they should have labored under
the mistake they did. But now that
the matter Is settled they will be ex-
pected to join with the majority, to
build up and maintain a unified senti-
nent In favor Of general betterments
Of local conditions in the Capital Coun-
ty of the State.
It,is imperatively demanded that en-
try upon such reforms as are indi-
Gated shall begin at once. With unlim-
tied material at hand we should make
il the Law of the county that no more
moneysshall be expended in patch work
road construction and maintenance.
Better build but one mile of road a year
and make it modern and permanent,
thanrthrow the taxes of the people into
road methods that cannot be more
lasting than the wear of a single year.
With stone in vast quantities at our
gates 1t viii be folly to waste more
money in annual construction of wood
en- bridges and culverts of any consid-
cradle size
With a rural section possessed Of nat
ural advantages and inviting pros
poets as any in the State, policy must
govern that will make suburban Sac
mento so strong in attractions that
thousands will come and dwell with us
who desire the retiracy and independ-
ence of country life combined with the
privileges and business and social adj
vantages of town life.
We want and must have a rural sec
tion into which we can take our visitors
and horne-seekers with pride and with
out apology. Cleanliness, neatness,
permanency and intelligence in con-
struction must greet our visitors as
they are taken into the rural sections.
All this can be accomplished, be it re-