Mexico weekly ledger., 1901-08-08
DR.. J. 3. HAWKINS
Writes the Ledger an Interesting
Letter Thinks the Voters Would
Favor his Proposition for
Rock Roads.

the project among all classes Of our
people, | venture a few additional
suggestions in explanation Of the ex-
pediency Of the whole subject. All
agree that rock roads is the pressing
and indispensable demand Of the bust.
ness interests OF the whole country. All
agree that 1t would do more in de-
veloping the natural resources, give
advantages to the agricultural develop
ments OF thecounty and add toits ma
terial wealth more than any other or
all other questions that could present
themselves for our consideration.
Well, IL all agree on these questions
as Of paramount importance, let US
take up the subject soberly, meet in
counsel, and devise the best, surest and
the most expident plan Of accomp-
fishing the end in view. 1t is a fact
that needs no explanation. II we get
the much needed improvements we
will have to pay for 1t, and pay dearly,
for rock roads cannot be built in this
county for a song. Let me give an
object lesson. The bottom east Of the
river twenty Or thirty years ago was a
waste and swampy wilderness, infest-
ed by crocidiles, frogs, a home for
wild beasts and mosquitoes. The few
inhabitants who lived there were
scouFgsd the year round with chills
and fever. The owners of these lands
were taxed to the amount of one acre
in every five for the purpose Of build
ing the Lewis that had afforded them
only partial insurance against the
overflow of the Mississippi. 1t cost
millions of dollars to develop that
county, and yet, that land to-day is
worth one hundred dollars per acre,
and all agree the money expended was
a wise investment, and to-day the
same bottom is justly denunciated
the grainary Of Illinois.
In the background of my vision l
can see this county advancing from its
present uncultivated and undeveloped
condition into a veritable Eden under
the magic touch OF spade, pick ham
mer and grader, making good solid,
mudless and dustless roadways at all
seasons Of the year.
IL has been estimated that to rock
these roads as the law requires would
cost on an average Of two thousand
dollars per Wholesome more some less.
At this rate 100000 would macadam
two hundred and fifty miles approx
mate.l This would give employment
for the next several months to three
or four thousand men and teams.
These needed improvements could be
made now; make the times compare
lively easy, give employment to all the
bonifled citizens OF the county, many
of whom will otherwise have to find
employment elsewhere. Spend this
money, every dollar Of it, at home;
build the roads as a permanent invest
ment that will ultimately result in
untold advantages to our people and
county for all time TO come.
Where can we get the rock,is asked?
That is an important question, and
demands a reasonable answer. Money
will find the material. This whole
county has an underlying strata of
rock that at many points can be easily
quarried and gotten ready for the
road bed; and, in addition, we would
suggest that the railroads running
centrally through our county are much
interested in this fa~r-reaching ques-
tion, and could be induced at a NOM
inal price to deliver along the lines of
these roads, at convenient points,
thousands Of tons Of rock, crushed and
ready to be placed on the grade. These
rocks could be secured in the bluffs Of
Pike and other counties adjacent to
Audrain, for the asking, or small pay.
These rock to be quarried, crushed,
delivered at given points on the rail-
roak at the expense Of the county, or
contractors, the macadamizing to
commence at these points of delivery
and finish toward the outer lines of
the county. By so doing the work
could go on on many roads, regardless
Of the condition Of the weather, and
by the time ten or more miles of road
had been rocked they would be as
smooth and solid as the streets Of our
best cities.
Major Ricketts, suggests that the
money could be secured at 4 per cent.
interest, or less, and the bonds sold at
a premium. At that rate the five
hundred thousand dollars would cost
the county twenty thousand dollars
per annum for interest and a like
amount set aside as a sinking fund
would add but a pittance to our pres
emit rate Of taxation. 1t would result
in making times easy, just at this
oppertune time; give employment to
the many, otherwise idle ones, and
solve the ever present, Ragged and
puzzling question Of good roads.
The editor Of the Laddonia Herald
says it is a calamity howl, and that
nine-tenths Of the people Of the coun-
ty would vote against it, but gives no
reasons for his wild guessing. In my
Judgment neither Of the assertions is
correct, only in the fertile brain of
this guessing editor; and II the ques-
tion were put TO a test to-day, In an
intelligent manner, the necessary two
thirds majority Of the votes would be
for it. The propositions are reasona'
bic, timely and practical, and viii
fully meet the exgencies Of the hour,
and result ultimately in the greatest
benefit to all the people.
What say you, Mr.. Editor? Why
not call a mass meeting Of our peopleF
Get them to thinking; exchange
views; discuss plans, whereby this all
important subject car be gotten fairy
and practically beforethe public. fra-
ternallv ]. B. HAWKINS.