The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1902-04-12

| While our ROADS are yet ial iiNi
what they should be, great progress
| has been made.
1.-THE passage Of two general laws
| the amendment of others, the adoption
of the constitutional amendment au'
thorizng counties to levy a three
mill 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.
Il have always expected progress
and 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 90
was held A few years ago, when |
was making good roads speeches,
was frequently asked whether | eX'
pected to travel any of the roads
which | described. would answer
that | hoped to do so before | died.
Already 1t 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.
in 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 cleo
ton commissioners failed to put road
tax" on the ballots. In many coun-
ties the dictricts have been poorly ar
ranged or incompetent or inexperienced
men have been appointed commission
ers and overseers. A large part or
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
alton 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
gained-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?
81. Wherever the tax has been lev
fed the commissioners should spare no
effort to make good showing before
September The worst roads and
those used by all the people should
be worked.
"2. Candidates for county Judge
and representative should be asked to
commit themselves in favor of road
improvement.
90. 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 levying courts refuse to
obey the mandate of the voters.
"5. Good speakers should accompa'
ny county candidates in the summer
canvass and present the question to
the people,
&c. Where good work has been done
in any county It should be widely ad'
vertised and carefully studied in
other counties.
~. Good roads conventions should
be held In different counties,
"S, Defects in the present law
should be pointed out and amend
ments suggested,
80. Candidates for the legislature
should inform themselves thoroughly
before the legislature convenes and
be prepared to take advantage Of
every reasonable suggestion.
40. a state good roads convention
might be called to meet in Little Rock
in July or August, not so much to
create Interest Gas that Is already
aroused), hut to enable workers to
compare notes on work done and agree
on line OF action.
AS chairman OF the permanent
committee might have authority to
call such u convention, but | would
not care to assume such authority IN.
less the suggestion Is generally sec.
onded. In fact, It might be best for
the governor himself. II he thinks
proper, to call the convention, II
such q convention is called 1t ought to
be free from partisan and personal
politics so that all good citizens may
feel free to take part,
Let II bo understood once for all
that the people Of Arkansas are com
mitted to the course OF progress IN
represented In the good roads move
ment and that now the sole question Is
how the best results may be secured.
Two Injured.
The falling OF tall pine tree across
the track OF the Kansas City Southern
caused bad wreck Of passenger
train near Ashdown, All the pnsson