Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-02-24
THAT SANTA FE ROAD.
The Las Vegas Board of Trade Passe
Resolutions Endorsing The
Proposition.

Whereas Committees of the 35th
legislative assembly are now consid
ering the wisdom and feasibility OF
utilizing convict labor for the build
ing of public highway between San
ia Fe and Las Vegas, and
Whereas, In the opinion of the Las
Vegas board of trade, composed of the
representative citizens and taxpayers
of San Miguel county, such employ.
ment of the unfortunate inmates OF
the penitentiary would not only serve
to provide such inmates with much
needed healthfu1 occupation that could
in no wise conflict with the just rights
of free labor, but would identify New
Mexico with the "Good Roads move
ment now so popular throughout the
neighboring states of the west, initiate
a settled policy for dealing with prison
labor problem to the ultimate benefit
of the entire Territory in the matter
of easy communication, and determine
the question heretofore discussed is
the Territory as to whether permanent
good roads can be satisfactorily con-
structed, thereby greatly contributing
pie as we'll as advancing the material
business interest Of all parts Of the
Territory when the proposed sysreni
shall have been practically demonstra-
ted, as we firmly believe this will dem
onstrate it; and
Whereas, Such public road or high.
way would pass through the United
States Pecos Forest reservation, the
most beautiful mountain park region
in the world, and render the same ac-
cessible to the people of all the coun-
try contiguous thereto, and stimulate
the building of other roads by people
desiring to reach the same as the gen
eral artery of travel for the purpose
of trade and recreation and intercom-
munication which would tend to build
up the Territory, and acquaint all peo-
pie with the natural, mineral scenic,
historical and other beauties and adj
vantages Of this now little appreciated
section. and would practically be an
Appinan way to the Rome of New
Mexico; and
number of beautiful ranch homes and
summer resorts within the region to
be penetrated by the proposed road,
whose owners and others seeking rest
and summer outing in the said locality
should have some outlet to the adjoin-
ing cities on the east and west, there
by making travel convenient and
pleasant and active; therefore be It,
Resolved, BY the Las Vegas board
of trade that such undertaking is
deemed entirely feasible, and the cost
the corresponding advantages to be
derived therefrom; and that we ear
nestly urge and petition the members
of this assembly to authorize and ade
quately provide for the use of a suffi.
cient number of the convicts that may
be confined in the penitentiary from
time to time, or are now confined
therein, for such purposes. Be it,
Resolved, That the secretary of this
board send copy of these resolu
tions to Hon. r. l.. Baca and Hon. w
H. H. Llewellyn, members of the
house of representatives of said as
sembly. and to the representatives
and councilmen from San Miguei
county.
Adopted by the executive committee
of the Las Vegas board of trade, this
twenty-fourth day Of February, A. D
1903.
MILLARD w. BROWNE, Pres
Attest: GEO. p. MONEY, Sec'y.