Fergus County argus., 1903-01-14

EleCllOn VI ohoc CAHNNlo - bON-
ernor would make more OF the state
officers elective.
Corporations - DEMONSTRATION" is
advised.
Mergers = History of governors
conference" held in Helena year
ago Is reviewed.
Railroad Commission-Creation of
such body is advised.
Woman Suffrage-It is endorsed.
Pioneer Day-Request Of Pioneers
society that day be set apart is en-.
dorsed.
Road Law-Amendment Of existing
statute advised. but no plan is map
ped out.
Miscellaneous Recommends sale
OF states second hand furniture. Sug.
gests fire insurance on capitol. Re
commends creating office of chaplain
of penitentiary. Advises more rigid
inspection OF mines. Calls attention
to the good work Of boiler inspector.
Says state eximiner is a useful of
icer. Reviews pardons of the year
Suggests technical amendment OF
laws concerning state law library
fund and bond of county treasurer.
Amend Road Law.
A message to the legislature that
omitted a recommendation to amend,
revise or repeal the road law, would
be a novelty which would not escape
the watchful eye and determined pur.
suit of the Industrious and proficient
secretary and librarian of the his.
torical and miscellaneous depart.
ment of the Montana state library.
After long period of parturition,
the seventh legislative assembly
brought forth q voluminous docu-
ment which found its way to the
executive office at 1855 o'clock D.
m. on the last day of the session.
Externally there was nothing about
1t except Its size to excite suspicion
or alarm. Internally, did not ex.
anime 1t, for In the Ave minutes left
for that important purpose, could
not hope to do 1t justice. 1t was sup
posed to contain the gathered wisdom
OF ages, and. like the wonderful one
horse shay that was built
In such a logical way"
1t was expected to stand the
shock Of time. and the strain of man
for at least 100 years. But. alas. all
things must have an end-and SO IL
must be with the Geiger road law.
When submitted to analysis, II was
found to be replete with incongrui.
ties and impossible of satisfactory
administration. In less than thirty
days after is birth 1t was virtually
dead. Every road trustee has vol.
unteered to be its funeral orator,
every county commissioner is willing
to be its active pallbearer, and every
road district is yawning to be its
grateful cemetery. AS q law, Il is
lame and impotent It is full of holes
SO to speak. visible not only to the
trained eye of the lawyer and states.
man, but holes through which the
layman can see as through an open
transom." There isn't enough of Il
left to amend or revise. Like the
deacon's wonderful masterpiece,
1T went to pieces all at once,
All at once, and nothing first
Just as bubbles do when they
, burst"
Responding to inquiries as to It's
efficiency, two counties make nc
complaint, while twenty-one counties
want 1t repealed. Several OF these
are most emphatic in denouncing II
= Carbon county says 1t costs then
$1,000 to disburse $4,000, and that /,
q has no redeeming feature. Fifteer
B. counties report the collection OF pei
. capita road tax Is much less undel
the present law. In some counties 81
= per cent less.
Z Let US have a simple and effectiv,
law suited to our sparsely settled con
dition, one which will not only facili
a tate the building Of roads. but tn,
q building OF good reads.
Since the invasion Of the railroad
A and the daily visit to nearly ever,
A county seat Of "the great black stee'
with heart OF fire and breath O
fame" the construction and main
A tenance Of decent county roads hav
q been largely neglected. Consciou
OF the great evolution now going O
% in transportation and transportatio
a facilities by which the captains O
a. industry" In that line Of effort hay
decreed that competition is no Ion,
q. er necessary, philosophy in whic
" my education has been neglected an
4. mindful OF that familiar couple
which | will not luote lest | be col
Ia sidered irreverent about lle rich ri,
~ ing in chaises and their less fort,
~ nate brothers being Obliged TO wall
| will be pardoned, | hope. II | appea
IA to take personal interest in the sui
o. ject of good roads, or seem 10 rel
j.. lie the truth o. the melancholy r.
frain Of an unknown writer,
III I'VE hear no more Of changing hoof
" And the stage coach rafting by.