Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1901-08-08


1t has been estimated that to
rock these roads as the law re-
Quircs would cost on an average of
two thousand dollars per mile
some more, some less. At this
rate $500, 600 would macadam two
hundred and fifty miles, approx
imatcly. This would give employ
ment for the next several months
to three or four thousand men and
teams. These needed improve
ments could be made now; make
the times comparatively easy, give
employment to all the bona fide
citizens of the county, many of
whom will have to find employment
elsewhere. Spend this mone,, ev-
cry dollar of it. Mt home, build the
roads as II permanent investment
that will ultimately result in UNI
told advantages to our people and
county for all time to come.
Where can we get the rock, is
asked! That is important
and demands Il reasonable answer.
Money will find the material. This
whole county has an underlying
strata of rock that at many points
can be easily quarTied and gotten
ready for the road bed; and in adj
dition, we would suggest that the
railroads running centrally thru
our county are much interested in
this far-reaching question, and
could be induced at Il nominal
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 Sc
cured in the bluffs of Pike and
other counties adjacent to Audraln
for pay. These rock to be quar-
ricd, crushed, delivered at given
points on the railroad at the eX-
pense of the county, or contractors,
the macadamizing to commence at
these points of delivery and finish
toward the outer lines of the couu-
ty. BY so doing the work could
90 on on many roads regardless of
the condition of weather. and 10y
the time ten or more miles of road
had been rocked they would be as
smooth and solid as the streets OF
our cities.
Major Ricketts, suggests that the
money could be secured at I pei
cent interest or less and the bonds
sold at Il premium. At that rate
the five hundred thousand dollars
would cost the county twenty
thousand dollars per annum fol
interest and a like amount set aside
as sinking fund would add but a
pittance to our present rate of tax
alton. 1t would result in making
times easy, just at this opportune
time; give employment to the many
unemployed and solve the ever
present haggled and puzzling ques-
ton of good roads.
The editor of the Loddonia Her
ale says it is Il calamity howl, and
that nine. tenths of the people of the
county would vote againt it, but
gives no reasons for his wild guess
ing. In my Judgment neither of
the assertions is correct, only i'll
the fertile brain of this guessing
editor; and if the question were
put to IA test today,in an intelligent
manner, the necessary twO-thirds
majority of the votes would be for
it. The propositions are reason
able, timely and practical, and will
fully meet the cxigencies Of the
hour, and result ultimately in the
greatest benefit to all the people.
What say you, Mr.. Editor! Why
not call mass meeting OF our
people? Get them to thinking;cX-
change views; discuss plans,
whereby this all-important subject
can be gotten fairly and practically
before the people. Fraternally,
j. b. HAWKINS.
D.ak:Lstson Drnhshstc