Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-06-13
METHODS. NOT PERSONALITIES.

METHODS, NOT PERSONALITIES.
Benton county roads are badly
in need OF improvement. This,
we believe, is a statement which
no one acquainted with the con
ditions will gainsay. That all
possible expe lience shall be made
TO place these roads in good con-
dition for travel during all sea-
sons of the year, is, we are safe
in saying, the earnest desire of
all. The one place where there
is difference of opinion, is regard.
ing the method to be employed.
The method is the most import
ant factor in the entire matter;
upon it depends the success or
failure of the whole enterprize.
For years money and labor have
been expended upon the roads OF
this county, and there has been
little, if any, permanent improve
meut.
That there should be honest
Difference of opinion upon the way
to proceed in the future is natural
and necessary. No man who has
an eye single to the public good,
will abuse another who may hon
estly differ with him in opinion.
Personal attacks will accomplish
nothing for good roads; they will
only result in attracting atten-
tion from the real question at is
sac.
If a plan is offered that does
not meet with approval, let the
dissenter show wherein he be-
lieves the argument of the pro-
moter is at fault. The personal
ity of the parties to the contro-
versy, if they are honest in their
contentious, is of no consequence.
What we are all interested in is:
The best, the quickest, the
surest, 1.-The cheapest way to get
good roads.
At the last session of the legis-
lature a law was passed which
contains this provision:
At the first regular session OF the coun
ty court in the year 1902, and annually
there after, it SHALL be the duty of the
county court to appoint roadmaster or
masters who shall serve one year, or un-
til his successor is appointed and quail
fed, unless said Office becomes vacant by
resignation, death or removal for cause !;
and the said county court, when they ap-
paint roadmaster or masters, shall pay
said officer or officers salary sufficient
to justify competent person or persons
to devote his or their whole time to the
matter of roads and bridges from March
l to December l of each year. Before
entering on the duties of his Office he
shall take and subscribe an oath to faith
Au1ly anu IldLly HCIiO lLS uuIlcS
OF his Office, y and he shall enter into
a bond in the sum Of not less than ST.
O0), as the court may direct, made pay
able to the county, with three or more
frse holders of the county as sureties for
the faithful performance of his duties,
***"
1t further provides:
"The county roadmaster shall have the
power to determine when and in what
manner the road supervisors of the sew
sral road districts in the county shall ex-
pend the tax apportioned to their sever
al districts, .and the instructions of the |
said roadmaster in all matters relating to |
the construction, improvement or repair |
Of the public roads and bridges shall be |
implicitly obeyed by the said road super
visors. 1t shall be the duty of the coun-
ty TO I'D master to investigate peti-
tions for road improvement and to report
his findings and recommendations there
on, in writing, to the county court
The law makes it obligatory
upon the county court to appoint
a roadmaster; to provide salary
for him; to require him to give
bonds; to remove him for cause,
and to appoint his successor.
That law prescribes the duties of
the county roadmaster; states
specifically what methods he
must pursue in contracting the
work of improvement, and in
the expenditure of funds.
The court of this county has
complied strictly with the law.
1t appointed Geo. w. Smith to
serve from March 1, 1902, to
December 1, 1902. He was re-
.uired to give bond of s., 900, !
and his salary was fixed at s.
per day, with the stipulation ,