The Monticellonian., 1902-04-18
Plea For Good Roads.

good roads problem.
 While our roads are yet far from what they should be, great progress has been made.
 The passage of two general laws, the amendment of others the adoption of the constitutional amendment au- ! thorizing counties to levy three m.ll road tax. the vote for the tax in fifty counties. the excellent work done in many places, are witnesses to the determination of our people to have good roads.
 "I have always expected progress end have had great faith in the abil- ity of the people to understand any question properly presented but have been surprised at the headway made by the road movement since the great good roads convention of '96 was held. A few years ago, when was making good roads speeches. l was frequently asked whether l ex- which 1 described I would answer that l hoped to do so before l died. Already it has been my privilege to see and travel some fine roads built by taxation.
 Friends of road improvement should not allow the success thus far achieved to relax their efforts. In deed. unless the subject is vigorous ly agitated, there may be falling off in interest.
 Tn some of the counties the levy ing court did not regard the vote for tax as mandatory, and refused to levy the tax In twenty counties the elee- ton commissioners failed to put road tax on the ballots. In many eoun- ties the dictriets have been poorly ar ranged or incompetent or inexperle. .ced men have been appointed commission CTS and overseers. A large part of the first years tax was necessarily spent for tools and machinery Many people looked for macadamized roads in front of their doors and were disap- pointed The drouth last fall made road work extremely difficult. There have been doubts about the interpret aton and application of the law in cities and towns One or all of these things will discourage certain people who voted for the tax as an expert ment
 However, one great point has been zained-the question must be consid cred by every voter at every state election. and even the enemies of progrss in their desire to defeat the road tax will keep it from being for gotten.
 What should be done?
 T. Wherever the tax has been lev jed the commissioners should spare no effort to make a good showing before September. The worst roads and those used by all the people should be worked
 9.2 Candidates for county judge and representative should be asked to commit themselves in favor of road improvement.
 B. Election commissioners should see that the vote on road tax is print ed on the ballots.
 A It should be understood that le- gal steps will be taken to secure the levy, if the leyying courts refuse to obey the mandate of the voters.
 D. Good speakers should accompa- ny county candidates in the summer canvass and present the question to the people,
 "6. Where good work has been done in any county it should be widely ad- vertised and carefully studied in other counties.
 "7. Good roads conventions should De held in different counties. "S. Defects in the present law should be pointed out and amend ments suggested.
 "9. Candidates for the legislature should inform themselves thoroughly before the legislature convenes and 1 be prepared to take advantage of every reasonable suggestion.
 "10. A state good roads convention might be called to meet in Little Rock in July or August, not so much to create interest (as that is already aroused), but to enable workers to compare notes on work done and agree on line of action
 AS chairman of the permanent committee l might have authority to call such convention, but I would not care to assume such authority un- l less the suggestion is generally sec Onded. In fact, it might be best for the governor himself if he thinks 1 proper, to call the convention If such convention is called it ought to | be free from partisan and personal politics so that all good citizens may feel free to take part.
 Let it be understood once for all l that the people of Arkansas are com mitted to the course of progress as 1 represented in the good roads move ment and that now the sole question is Hon. w. B. Hines, of Conway. has | been appointed a member of the board of state capitol commissioners, vioe l Hon J. E. Martin, resigned to accept the appointment of assessor of Faulk- neI county.
 StiIl In Nred.
 There is still much destitution among the farmers in the drouth stricken sections of this state. and eff forts are being made to procure sup plies from St. Louis and Chicago mer- chants to enable the people to make crops.
 The Arkansas association of Sev- enth Day Adventists has been incorpo- rated under the laws of the state.