The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-04-05

In this matter we are tempted to echo
over hope, and as we see the blood OF
Cuban patriots kiss the graves OF
bandits and incendiaries, criminals
and outlaws" and exclaim, How long,
Lord, OH how long?
THE FOLSOM MODEL HIGHWAY
AGAIN.
Concerning the model road author
lied by law to be constructed between
this city and the Folsom Prison, TWEEN
tyfour miles. there is great deal OF
public discussion going on. The unani-
nous desire of the people is to see the
work begun at the earliest possible
date. There is, however, a good deal
to be done in preliminary work before
that road can be opened to the people.
First, the line must be determined by
the commissioners yet to be appointed.
Next, the Supervisors must secure the
right of way and deed it to the State
Third, the money to meet the State
half way must be raised or secured
for the commissioners, as no work can
be done until the fund is in hand
Fourth, the administration of the rock
crushing plant at Folsom must arrange
to be able to furnish all the material
necessary, but to do so possibly it may
nave to store funds from other sales
to justify it, However, the hope is
largely entertained, and the belief also,
that the State Prison Directors will
find a way to supply the material as
early and as fast as wanted. Finally,
the character of the road, the speclf-
cations and the engineering details
must be approved and the grades es-
tablished.
But while all this work is going on
there is nothing apparently to prevent
the bridge work being commenced, so
soon as the route is fixed and the
funds are assured. There are two
things that may go on simultaneously,
namely: While the commissioners are
to arrive at q detail of cost, the
people of this city and of the county
can busy themselves in plans for rails
ing the money Several methods for
cussion by business men and farmers.
News came the other day that in one
farming section which the road will
traverse the expression is that con-
scribed only upon assurance that no
high priced men will be brought in to
lay out and superintend the work. If
such an idea is entertained it must be
dissipated. The State will not build
a model road on any cheap plans, nor
permit it to be constructed by cheap
men. All such would be the very costli-
est possible. While of course the COM
missioners will conserve all possible
economy, it must be remembered that
they are to build model, not a COM
mon road A permanent modern high
way Of the best order that can be con-
structed of broken stone means that
high skill must be brought to the
work, and high skill, experience and
thorough competency command their
price.
1t would be lamentable, indeed, if
road should be built under the law that
would not be a model in the fullest
samoa IF tho rUord Chnuld snythiOp
short Of that be constructed and
rendered to the State for acceptance
and maintenance it would set back the
good-road movement greatly injure
pletely negative the idea of State
highway system, and not unlikely
good county systems also.
What the people ought to demand,
and what the commissioners, whoever
they may be, viii, we apprehend GER
tainly plan to build, will be highway
Of the very best order one that will
fulfill the purposes of the law in the
highest sense and make Sacramento
County conspicuous all the State over
1t ought to be possible to get matters
into such a shape as to have the work
of actual construction begin with the
opening Of 1898. If SO, the road will
be completed in about one year from
this time. To accomplish this, however,
it will be necessary that steps be
taken by the people as soon as the
commission is appointed which will be
done probably in the course of the next
few days The commission must be
and Sacramento City stand ready to
render them efficient and speedy help,
and to further efforts in all proper
ways. The right method, in our opin-
would be for the county at large in
it's official capacity to put up the nee
essary money. If $4,000 is necessary,
as is likely. to do what should be done,
the State contributing about $50, 600 in
material and labor, it viii mean but
one and e-ninth mills on assessabIe
dollar values, a contribution, in view
Of the great benefits this model road
will be to the whole county and the
enhancement of assessable values it
will effect. that is really a small mat
ter.
HOW CITIES MAY REFUND THEIR
BONDED INDEBTEDNESS.
An Act passed by the late Legislature