The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-02-17

semitic Valley, that great natural curl
osity. Great applause) But he had
concluded TO change and support
Fresno. (Cries of '.O-o-o-h.'o
Fresno won hands down, and the
nomination was made unanimous,
Smith of San Bernardino saying that
he wanted the convention to remember
that San Luis Obispo was in line for
next time
'sOh, l don't know said the Chair
man, amid laughter. II think the Mar
iposa- Yosemite Valley man is we'll to
the front"
MI. HENDERSoN'S PAPER.
Orrin S. Henderson of San Joaquin
read an excellent paper on The Mutual
Relations of City and Country, and the
Value of Good Roads to EACH as fol-
lows
The inhabitants of our counties living
outside the Incorporated cities look upon
their brethren of the city often as having
no interests in common with them, in re-
lat1on to roads and highways; yet their
needs are extremely mutual.
One without the other could not exist,
the country must come to the city, and
the. city must go to the country for life
and existence, in marketing produce and
for trade, and the binding factor to their
happiness and ease is good roads, or, at
least, better roads and plenty of them.
We are passing through the theoretical
part and must soon come down to prac-
teal ideas.
The demand for good roads comes from
central populated centers and extends 10
every part within reaching distance, UNI
til one community would influence another
community to improve its roads to keep
its trade at home, and the result would
be main highways connecting county
with county, and in time State, with State.
If some of our legislative friends would
travel outside their own bailiwicks before
going to the sessions of the Legislature,
and see the wonderful growths of GER
tain localities, where good roads are IN
evidence, and the very many claims which
exist in favor of wise LEGISLATION for per
manent highways, they would not be very
long in putting in working order laws for
the founding and starting of permanent
highways to connect county with county,
city with city, on broad economic lines
and with perfect adjustment.
There is nothing now for certainty
which the State of California can do
through its LEGISLATURE to increase it's
interests and raise property values more
than by a decided action for good roads
Every locality will be benefited, no mat
ter where work may start; you cannot
confine its influence to any one section,
all must and will receive its effect.
The one and first question asked by
travellers and intending settlers is. How
is the roads in such and such lOcauty,
and can we get to and from the cities
easily?
Visitors to our State tarry longer, and,
of course, would leave more money within
its borders and they probably would To-
cate quicker as citizens if We could show
an abundance of good roads in progress,
under a perfectly laid out and developed
system; for to farmers and orchardists
and rural residents, perfect roads bring
produces closer to consumers, increase
values sofssfarm and produce, add to the
pleasures of life, and on wear and tear
of vehicles saves money, besides is mercl-
full to man and beast alike.
Good roads will keep the boys on the
farm longer, men will not and can
not be isolated from the world and So
ciety. Remove the highways. impossible,
rough and muddy, which are the barriers
to all alike.
The roads of foreign countries put US to
shame white and smooth. made to stand
for ages, we'll drained and built with per-
feet engineering they have stood the wear
of ages.
Muddy. damp roads mean malarias and
sickness to man and beast, also without
saying of what mental strain man is call
ed upon to stand it is cruelty to ANIMALS;
thousands of horses are killed annually
through bad roads, and dusty roads mean
lung troubles.
of main roads LOCO acres are tributary,
and to make good roads 50, 600 or $4,000 will
easily transform a mile of our pres
ent bad roads = bad for two or
worthy the name of roads-into good
roads every day of the year. and this
would mean but a tax of 81 or s. per acre,
if the acres tributary paid 1t all. Is
there any one after careful study of pres
ent conditions doubts the value, since
several times the amount of the tax would
be amply saved in wear and tear of We
jhicles harness and horses, and add loss
of increased costs of carriage, and en-
forced delay in loss of time from lack of
quick transportation.
The value of good roads can be Illus
trated practically, where the counties are
traversed by roads improved in mod
ern style; farms can be sold without eff
fort. and at top figures; purchasers or
probable buyers know that a rich farm
is of no value unless you can market the
produce economically and reach your
market at all times; for this reason many
lands with richest soils are sometimes
i uncultivated.
/ have made this plea for better roads
for the mutual interests of city and coup-
ty habitants. poor. roads have been pa
tiently and long endured: it is a much agi-
tated question, it is true: it is said that
there are about 100000 miles of common
roads, enough to circle the globe fftv
, times or to go to the. moon more than
five times: but if some of them would
only go there just once and stay there, we
would be happier on this earth for their
being removed and out of sight.
/ cannot tell you exactly how roads
should be built different conditions
ouire different actions and remedies, but
basic principles till always remain the
same.
/ would but try to show the urgent me-
cessty that something must be done, and
that Immediately. for permanent better
ment: 1t is a fact and to be deplored,
that the vast majority of our country
roads have more the appearance OF dried
up water courses than good intelligently
constructed lroadways, and in the face,
/ too, OF all the taxable wealth that is an
nually poured out upon them for the pur-
pose of making them better.
Carefully compiled statistics show that
the people of this country pay more for