Mexico weekly ledger., 1901-01-31
ABOUT ROAD BILLS.
Representative Rhodes Clay Would
Appreciate the Ideas Of His
Constituents Along These
Lines-His Letter.
To the Editor of the Ledger.

To the Editor OF the Ledger.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo-, Jan. 2S.-
Dear Mr.. White: May l ask that you
publish in your weekly this commune
cation with proper headlines calling
the special attention Of the various
road commissioners Of our county to
the same. Thus far there have been
twenty-five road bills introduced in
the House, none Of which seem to be
fully satisfactory; as a result the Com
mittee on Roads and Highways has
decided to report all unfayOrably and
to recommend two others as substi-
tntes therefor, both 10 become laws
but leaving it within the discretion Of
the county court Of each county to
decide which law shall be adopted in
that particular county. One Of the
bills is nothing more than the present
law, commonly called the Contract
System" with a few changes, the
chief Of which are, first: cOmpensa-
ton to be allowed road commission
ers; second, reduction in age of inhab-
itants liable for road tax from sixty
to fifty years; third, increase in min
hmm poll tax from 81 80 to 81 and
maximum tax from 50 to So, likewise
making time for labor on road not
less than two or more than six days, if
tax not paid in money. The other
bill is practically the old law known
as the "School District Plan," which
was in force prior to the passage Of
the present law, with also a few alter
nations. In it additional safeguards
are thrown around the %Overseer so as
to prevent misuse Of road funds and
insure their expenditure for road pur-
poses strictly. One change prevents
him from using his own teams other
than to work out his own tax; another
requires receipts for every amount ex-
pended by him to be filed with annual
settlement, etc. From the above it
will be sec that it is left to each
county to say which law it will adopt.
| find that practically only about me
half Of the counties of the State at
tempted to put in force the law
passed by the last Legislature; that is,
the present law. Many of those coun-
ties that are using it seem to be of the
opinion that it will prove a good law
with the above changes, while Others
and especially those which refused to
appoint commissioners or to in any
way bring it into use are persistent in
demanding the old law. As a result
| personally believe the adoption Of
both as above outlined is the best So
luton of the problem, lin the future
any county should become dissatis-
fled with the n it adopted then a
change could be made by that county.
Certainly it is time to have the
law in such condition that every
Legislature which convenes will not
feel that 1t is its duty to alter the
same. am somewhat undecided as
to whether the power should be given
the county court to adopt the law or
whether that power ought not to vest
in the people, as, for example, if such
law after being adopted by the court
ought not to be ratified by the people
at an election. However, believing
the county courts, as a rule, express
the sentiments of the people, posi-
bly, such a ratification would not be
necessary. Owing to the Importance
of this road question and my limited
knowledge upon it, | have taken this
method Of making known our present
intentions here and TO ask any and all
persons in u county interested in
the same TO write me freely in regard
thereto should they so desire, in
order that | may more intelligently
vote upon the matter, as well as, If
possible, truly represent my consti-
tuents. Especially do | ask the road
commissioners to consider the matter
and if they find any criticism of this
plan to make known the same to me
at once. Thanking you for your val
liable space and with regards, permit
to remain, Yours obediently,
RHODES CLAY.