The Conway log cabin., 1900-09-18
Our County Roads.

to execute it.
 The chief executive officer is the Road Commissioner. He is to be a resident householder of the coun- ty; he must buy all tools that are to be bought by the court for the whole county and distrib- ute the same to the overseers; must the construction of all bridges of the county, and also the work on all roads when the court shall so order, and must report to the court all overseers who fail to perform their duties. He makes plans and specifications ofall bridg- es and examines all first and sec ond class roads and bridges and makes estimates of work to be done, repairs and changes to be made and cost of the same. He is the head of the whole work ill the field. Whilst the court is to order him i'll most cases, 1t must depend on his observation, calcu- lations and good judgment as to what is to be done. He should therefore be man of fine sense, sound judgment, broad informa- ton, and-if possible-scientifc. Of course he must be honest, and above reproach, to avoid suspicion of jobbery. He must see that every dollar of the peoples money is spent to the best advantage, the law will come into certain disrepute. He must not be afraid to do right and have cour- age enough to stand unjust criti cism, for he will get it. He must know good material of all sorts and get the best and cheapest. He must see that overseers do not play off and fearlessly report such as fail, from any cause, to do their full duty.
 The oyerseer must be a man much of the same type as the com missioner. All the detail of work are to be looked after by them. They must screen no man from fear or favor, but require each one who is hired or subject to road du- ty, to put in his time faithfully. Road hands, whether hired or put ting in their own time, should work ten hours day, just as they do when hired to any private in 1ividual. There should be no diff ference in the amount or quality of work, whatever. Overseers select material in many cases and should be men of broad intelligence who know the importance of drainage in road building, and that it is no further to go around hill than to 20 over it; when, where and how to use rock and where to get them; and especially men who have ex- ecutive ability; who can keep a dozen hands at work and see that none play of and who know that twelve men idle for five minutes is equivalent to the loss of one mans time for an hour.
 The most important thing per haps is mapping out the whole work is the right arrangement of districts. The number and shape of them is to be determined ill Oc- tober, by the court. I think they should not exceed perhaps 5 to s., There should be just enough of them to employ the overseers the year around. By this means bet ter men can be gotten for that po- sition. For 300 working days each one would receive $45o in a year. This is more money than most farmers handle. Constant employment has several advanta- ges. They become more expert. It is their sole business and they take more interest ill it. Another important reason is, that each dis trict must have certain expensive equipment ill order to get best re- suits. Among these things wag- on and pair of good mules. These mules must be fed all the time and it is plainly economy to keep them busy. They will be re quired to haul dirt, rock, timber, carry tools about and many other th;,uc There tut1St he D1ow