Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
Good County Government.
VOLCANO, March 8, 1902.


tribute a few thoughts on the above
subject. My remarks are not intended
individually, but simply, in a general
way, and without any personal feeling
There has been good deal of dis
cussion on the matter of good roads.
1t will be remembered, not many years
ago, the road work was in the hands
of officers known as roadmasters, and
the people got sorely vexed at the
manner in which the roadmaster did
his work. AS soon as he was elected
he would, it was said, begin election
eering and planning to hold his lob.
After discussing the matter pretty
thoroughly, it was thought a reform
was possible by dropping the road
master and leaving the roads in the
hands of the supervisors. The people
were led into snare. 1t was never
supposed that the supervisors would
have full sway at the road funds, but
would superintend the work; would
contract for the work and after it was
done, if it was found up to the stand
ard, they would simply order the bills
paid, not even being allowed to handle
the money. What is the result. Sad:
we have jumped from the frying pan
into the fire. Many believed we would
be benefited, but we have consolidated
supervisor and roadmaster and created
an office coveted by allan Office that
is considered worth spending consider
able money to win. So | contend that
there should be guard rail placed
round the county's strong box. There
is one little guard that should be torn
down. thrown over the fence, and
trampled under foot. That is the
Caminetti electioneering expense law.
The intention might have been good.
but it accomplishes nothing. 1t looks
as though some of the officers would
blush with shame when they see their
expense report put in print, so l think
it should be pulled down or put up in
some shape that will prove effective.
The board 'of supervisors have too
much power. There is nobody to
question their road bills. They are
simply audited. No one knows from
the published proceedings where the
money goes to. The supervisor draws
1t, but he is not the beneficiary, as the
law distinctly prohibits that.
In regard to the proposed new road
OF the Amador Lumber Company. II
have travelled the country over and it
is the opinion of nearly every one
have talked with that the company
should have right of way. They
should have the right to build the road
with their own money also, as they
comprise some of the wealthiest men
OF the county. l am told by some of
the men living in the section where the
road is to pass through, that the coun-
try is, and has been opened with roads
for years, but good roads are boon
to any county, and the horrible con-
dition of our roads is more for lack of
proper system than anything else. 1
believe if the people had their way
they would build roads with some of
the money that has been squandered in
times past for Native Sons celebra-
tions, mining engineers, printing great
register, and settling technical points
in school laws. The people have well
paid official to look after their legal
business. The district attorney is
quoted as saying the bill for
attorney fees in the school
tax case was illegal. Now
what are you going to do with this?
Give it good coat of grease suppose,
and have the people swallow it. II
believe most of our officers are too well
paid. You may ask why. Because
there is such an anxiety for office the
list of candidates on all sides go all over
the county throwing money like mud.
Do they do it because they love their
country or sit because they love votes?
The system builds up big saloon
business and tends to lower the moral
tone of the community. This practice
is disgrace to be very much regretted.
Is there no remedy? I say. there is.
Let every man constitute himself a
committee of one and stamp it out.
A NATIVE Son.