The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1897-10-16
THE GOOD ROADS ASSN.
The Secretary OF the State AS
ISOLATION Writes to the
Intelligencer.
AN INTERESTING COMMUNICATION
The Objects of the Organization Well
Outlined.
To the EdIlnr OF lhe IntelIIreneer.

To the Edilnr of the Intelligencer.
The object III This association is Il
improve The public road system OF onl
stale. This can be accomplished only
by Increased interest IN good roads anC
increased knowIedge of the hest meth
DDS 10 be adopted in using them.
The pnblic highways are The proper
ty of the people. This ownership is
not in the form of individual but of cor.
poraIe interest. Hence we must "a
die the road interests in II cooperative
way. One individual cannot put into
practice any method be it ever so good
till he gets the consent and co-opera-
| ton. of n majority of his neighbors.
! Cooperative effort may have Il valne
IN many businesses. 1t becomes q neces-
sity in road matters If we are 10 attain
to the best results. Therefore we urge
upon every community and every
county the Importance of forming
'Road improvement Associations"
These societies exist in many counties
in the state. Much good has come of
them. Much Improvement Is notice
able in communities where active CO.
operative efforts have been made. Let
me suggest that In addition 10 h usual
reasons that should induce your citi-
citizens to form q road association there
exists just now q special one.
The state association will hold its
1th annual convention at Lexington
December z, 1897 1t would be ex-
ceedingly pleasant for US to meet with
a live wide awake local organization.
| am sure from The indications noted at
sCorder during the Farmers Institute
meeting there last week that your
comfy organization will be perfected.
The road subject embraces a wide
field for discussion. 1t will be clearly
impossible At any meeting to dis
cuss the entire range of ~sub-topics that
may seem 10 need attention. find it
qifite convenient to take mp the discus
sion in an analytical way. The subject
naturally divides itself into main divis-
ions az:
/. Ways and means, /. e., how
nader. our present constitution we
may provide revenue for road purposes.
This would raise an enquiry as 10 the
sources and efficiency OF our present
revenues. The property road tax, the
saloon license for roads, the poll tax,
etc. This subdivision would afford
material for quite q lengthy discussion.
2. Supervision, who shall disburse
the funds raised for road purposes.
This subject would require the best
thought and clearest application for
at least one session. /: wonld suggest
an inquiry into our present supervis-
ion by road overseers, the supervision
in especial road districts,'' sscounty
supervision under sslocal option law
etc., etc.
>. The third division would en-
road construction, road repair,
drainage, eie., etc.
The 4th division might be made quite
interesting by an enquiry into the meth
DDS of using The roads when bniii,
what advantages, If any, IN the use of
tires ON wagons
The state road ASSOCIATION is conn.,
posed OF a voluntary membership, no
initiation fees, no obligations imposed,
no salaried officers to maintain. Coun-
y courts Of all the counties are urged
o send delegates Comfy and local
are also expected TO send del
Citizens are expected 10 con
something for the purchase of
necessary stationary. The State Board
II Agriculture has very kindly gwen us
heir support. Gen. Roy Stone, dlrec-
or OF the department of road enquiry,
Washington, ID. C., sends all the in
ormaiion at hand, which is considera-
Die. The secretary OF the Missouri As
'ociaiion will afford TO local societies.
III the information within his reach.
turn IL Is expected that local soeie-
les will furnish us with all The infor-
asked for. BY this operation
desperation of the people among
themselves, of societies with. each other
md all with the state organization we
rope 10 increase the interest in roads
widen our knowledge and
unity our endeavors so that
'ur state may adoptathe very best pub
ic road system ever devised. Then
ecretary RIppey's mutiD for u state
will be fully appropos, sMissour I'm
,erial Mistress OF States.n I
Very truly, 1
G.. w. WATERS, See. /,