The record-union., 1898-06-02

H1ghWayS) delivered the IOllOWlHS INT
How Can Good Roads be Construct
It has been my desire, and / think
speak authoritatively when | say it is
the desire of every Commissioner now
holding a commission on the Depart
ment Of Highways, that some method
should be devised by which California
may ultimately acquire a good road
system.
That is the purpose Of the organiza-
kion of this commission and to that end
we have labored, and have devoted our
entire attention during our present
term Of Office.
Early in our term we resolved to
test the good faith Of the people OF
this State in their demands for good
roads. The Legislature at its last ses-
sion authorized the construction OF the
Folsom highway from the easteriy
limits Of the city of Sacramento to the
town of Folsom. The State agreed to
furnish the broken stone and stone for
bridges and culverts free of charge ex-
cept the cost of transportation-the
county to grade and construct the roaq
Early in the fight it was discovered
that no money was available to do the
ccuntys portion of the work, and
therefore some method must be devised
by which the necessary funds could be
obtained. There was no other plan that
would satisfy the conditions of the
case, except a resort to the issuance OF
bonds.
This question was submitted to
vote of the people of Sacramento Coun-
ty, and by an overwhelming vote they
decided to issue bonds in the sum of
- 4I,a 7fxy'-
the cost Of constructing the road. The
bonds were issued and bid in to an
Eastern firm bearing interest at per
cent per annum, but owing to some
possible defect in the law, the matter is
now in the courts for adjudication. We
have great hopes yet for a favorable
termination of the matter so that we
may be able to construct a few miles
of model highway.
The very strong vote in the county
and the almost unanimous vote re-
ceived in the city of Sacramento, in
duced US to believe that the people OF
the State generally were in favor of
issuing bonds for the construction Of
good roads. In order, however, that
this question should be determined in
it's fullest sense, the Department of
Highways resolved to place the ques-
tion before the people Of some other
county and to draw the lines upon a
county issue alone, wherein the coun-
ty would assume the entire response
bility in the matter.
San Mateo County being so favorably
located geographically, commercially
and financially, and being county
using large sums of money for road
purposes, the commission resolved to
u A fl1s
having passed through the incubating
state, the question Of issuing bonds in
the sum of $4,000 for the purpose Of
constructing ninety-six miles Of road
in this county was finally submitted TO
q vote of the people on April 4, 1898.
The result was an overwhelming vote
against the issuing of bonds for this
purpose
Whether it was the result Of indi-
vidual wire pulling and combined
financial interest in opposition that
caused this measure to be defeated, we
are unable in a measure to state. One
thing, however, that became very ap-
parent is that many people who were
always clamoring loudly for good roads
Except where they are asked to pay
for their construction are the classes
Of citizens who made the strongest op-
position to the issuance Of bonds for
this purpose.
1t is to be noticed that in one in
stance a member Of the Good Roads
League of the State saw fit to assail
the proposition advanced with great
acrimony. From this action we can
only infer that the bond system for
building good roads does not meet with
his approval, and we shall expect TO see
+0+n 80
California some important suggestion
in the future on how good roads can
be constructed in our State without is
suing bonds.
There is no county in the State that
demands a good system of highways on
certain lines more than San Mateo. Its
geographical location alone demands a
first-class system of roads. Its local
advantages for procuring good road
metal are far superior to the majority
OF the counties in the State; yet her
people refuse TO vote bond issue TO
build good roads.
Having tested the case under the
shadow of the great metropolis Of your
State and with a people fairly enter
prising and public spirited, and leaving
unwritten the plan of campaign
adopted by the enemies Of this meas
ure, we are forced to the conclusion
that the people generally are not will
ing to bond their credit for the pur-
pose of constructing good roads. ! re-
gard the question of bond issue for
road purposes practically settled for
some time to come, and perhaps forever
I'm the State of California.
1t Will not avail the opponents of the
bond issue in San Mateo County to ex-
cuse themselves behind the imaginary
gauze of impracticability or want of
Feasibility of the measure. The esti-
mate was carefully made upon which
the bond issue was to be based, and
had the estimate proven inadequate to
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