The record-union., 1897-11-07

per mile would amount to SIo, ,UOO, max
ing $40. 900, or in round numbers, 5000,
COO
Where has the remainder been ex-
pended? No doubt those in charge OF
the funds during these many years have
expended this money in a measure judi
ciously, as the circumstances presented
themselves, but the object of this dis
cussion is to bring the minds of the cltl-
zens of Sacramento County TO realiza-
ton of the unbuSineSslike methods OF
the present road building system. 1t
cannot be denied that should any cor
poration or business man conduct his
business on the above plan bankruptcy
would soon be the result. 1t is very for
tunate, or perhaps unfortunate would be
the better term, that county is behind
the proposition, otherwise road building
en- this plan would long since have been
a thing of the past.
Where then has the money been ex-
pended? Let the people consult any in
telligent Supervisor, and he will tell
them he never has money enough al
any one time to consider for moment
the building of good macadam road, or
if he does he can build only one or TWO
miles in his district per year. 1t is only
the wealthy road districts that can pulid
even a few miles per year. The result Is
nearly all of the money is expended III
meeting the demands of the people fol
assistance in times of bad weather,
periods when no good work can be done,
and only patchwork undertaken. Inc
remedy, therefore, lies in having money
enough together at one time to bulld
good road
Under the existing system, one OF the
most serious problems that conIron's
Supervisor is to maintain 81 system Vi
temporarilv constructed bridges, COM
posed of perishable material, whose use
after fifteen or twenty years demands
new structure or large expenditure u
maintain the old Another serious con-
sideration is that when one portion OF
road has become impossible, the super
visor is compelled to attack the work
in wet weather with an unorganlzeo
rorce of men without proper tools and
with the effect only of expsnding iarse
sums of money for small returns
The real money-savlng proposi'io,'
then. would appear to be to nave sum
cient money on, and at once win
which to construct a road, ana "heh
this is obtained to let the contract to
individuals prepared to execute Tie
work at the lowest price bid
II is estimated that it will cost Sio,
600 to construct the Folsom road. Inc
value of property assessed IN oacia
mento County for road purposes is IN
round numbers about S14,W0,On
Therefore. it would require an essess-
ment of O.535 per 500 on this valua-
ton in order that we may obtain 1uno5
with which to construct this road. IL
is not Justice or equity to ask that the
districts in the county should pear al
of this expense, even if the law WouiI
permit such a procedure. The assessel
valuation of property in the road dis
trict in which the Folsom road Is TO-
Gated is S6231 $50 1t would require
an assessment Of 81. 2035 on each SlW
in this district, in order that we migh'
procure the necessary funds.
It is useless to say to the people that
the Folsom road can be constructed III
this manner. No community so sparse
ly settled will undertake the task. The
State has made a liberal offer to tn
county, but the work contemplated IN
the bill must be completed before Jan
uary /, 1899, or the opportunity of haV-
ing twenty miles of the best road II
the State passed over to the State au-
thorities for all time will be lost. This
road. if constructed, will pass under tbs
supervision of the State authorities
The expense of maintaining it will for
ever fall upon the State of California
and be in the same status as to main
tenance as the Tahoe wagon road
which is now maintained by the State
This money will all be expended in Sac
ramento County. The opportunity Is
now at hand; the question is in the
hands of the people of Sacramento
County. No county in the State has
ever had such a liberal offer, and prob
ably none will ever be so favorably
located as to enjoy these benefits.
A rock-crushing plant within twenty
two miles of the State Capital, Capt.
tol building where assemble the law
makers CT the commonwealth, sur
rounded by a country replete with ma
tive beauty, and yet not one first-class
road upon which the pleasure seeker
may drive and behold the resources
and beauty of this fair land. This road
if constructed. will lead directly from
the State Capitol situated in the most
prosperous city of the Sacramento Val
ley. to Folsom State Prison, one of the
model institutions of the age.
The present condition of this road is
not inviting during the long winter
months and instead of a Legislative
Committee visiting the prison by wagon
road, thus enabling them to witness
the resources and view the scenery OF
the district surrounding such a mag
nificent institution. they are whirled
along on a railroad train to their des-
tination.
We ask the citizens of Sacramento
County to contemplate the contrast be-
tween a drive over the Folsom road IL
its present condition and that of a
drive over the same road when covered
with macadam, we'll watered and lined
on either side with magnificent shade
trees.
We ask the wheelmen of the city OF
Sacramento to anticipate the pleasure
Of magnificent bicycle path of twen-
ty miles in length. protected from
the summer sun by the shade of broad
spreading elms. This will be the picture
presented in years to come If you will
build the Folsom road.
How can you build this road? Not
by direct taxation upon the whole coun-
ty: not by a levy upon the property
situate in its road district The only
resource left must be by the issuing
of bonds. Let not the people be fright
ened by the use of this word bonds.
When we analyze ii we find it but a
simple business proposition. The valua-
tion Of all taxable property in the coun-
ty will amount TO about x.53, ,0OO. 600 II
r,c.,,.r,.i bond thxa .cxaiax,4x. S.-5