The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-02-04

ways. 1t is believed that if a good sys-
tenn of road construction could be de-
vised and placed under proper super
vision, so that ii will be thoroughly
carried out. the greater portion of the
State can be soon supplied with good
and well-constructed roads entailing
very little cost for maintenance without
any increased taxation.
For these reasons the people Will
watch with more than ordinary atten-
ton the report which is TO be made by
the Committee on Roads and High
ways. Undoubtedly in the nine bills
which have been laid before that COM
mittee there are many good features,
and it is hardly less a subject of doubt
that there are also many that would
prove injurious rather than helpful to
our road system. The committee
which proposes to revise them all and
combine them into single measure IS
therefore intrusted with one of the
most responsible duties imposed upon
this Legislature.
THE DREDGER.
Marysville Appeal: The opposition to
the bill TO appropriate money for the
dredger is of the kind that is generally
out for a piece" 1t is difficult for
them to understand that there are
measures carrying appropriations Of
some magnitude which are not the prey
of boodlers. The operation Of
such a dredger as we have been led to
believe will be used cannot prevent the
retaining of swamp lands. The prime
object. however, is to correct the river
channels, and that alone is. the only
motive that should guide the Commls-
sioner and his engineers incidentally
if the dredger or the many dredgers
which are sure TO follow the success OF
one reclains the land, so much better
for the State Its taxable valuations
will be increased and it will thus gain
an everlasting revenue. The deepening
OF the river channels will afford safety
to every town and every farm along the
banks of every stream treated and re-
lieved of the great unnatural deposits.
Our Stockton friends have exhibited
petulancy which we thought they were
above. If there are any riders on the
bill let US hear of them. Don't STAB the
measure by insinuatiOn and innuendo,
the most contemplate weapons possible
to use.
THAT PESKY ROAD PROBLEM.
Kern Echo: Fresno is talking about
35-cent tax rate for road purposes. II
they are sure they know how 10 build
roads. it may be well enough to raise
large sums of money. But this county
presents a painful example of raising
money before it knew how to use it.
The above item appeared in the
Echo" on August /, 1885. We hoped
at that time that our people would
have reached a stage of perfection
that would have enabled us 10 have
utilized the funds for road building a
year and half hence to better ad-
vantage Well. perhaps, we have, out
permit US to say parenthetlcally
(we've got lots to learn YETI
THE ROCK PLANT OPPOSITION.
san Jose Mercury: Referring to the
opposition, Slight as it is. against the
use of rock crushed at Folsom on the
streets Of cities and towns, the Tulare
Register pertinently remarks that
breaking rock will compete as little
with free labor as any work the pris-
oners can be set to doing. and it is de-
voutedly to be hoped that demagogy Of
such transparent quality will not be
suffered to interfere with the good work
the State is now doing at Folsom