Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-10-26

the fact that II would take at least
a hundred years 10 make good sub
| stantial roads OF the main thorough
fares OF this territory depending upon
the convict labor alone. Where the
work should be done would also he a
bone Of contention, These and many
other difficulties viii arise, bur none
that Is insurmountable and cannot be
overcome with diligence and determin'
alton 10 succeed. Those who take the
brunt Of the work upon their hands
10 educate the people 10 understand
and appreciate the importance Of the
work and the benefits TO be derived
therefrom have no easy task before
tHam, They will mett many dis
couragements, but with brave hearts
and an eye steadily upon the great
benefits to the people II they succeed,
no obstacles will be too great TO be
overcome and the gratitude OF q we'll
pleased people will be their reward.
A Few Things That viii Have To Be
Considered.
One of the first things TO be con-
Isidered Is to obtain means TO carry on
the work. Convict labor as far as II
goes Is especially adapted for the pur-
pose. Beyond this l see no other re.
sources In this territory except poll
and property taxation. This must be
obtained by wise and %judicious legis-
~lation, wise, In providing the proper,
channels through which the statute
is to be executed; j%udicious, In not
trying to do so much at once as to
prove a hardship upon the tax payers
and thereby disgust them with the
| whole enterprise. After the funds are
obtained to commence work, the place
TO begin must be considered. II would
not be good policy to start work on
many roads at first, only on a few Of
the main Travelled thoroughfares to
show the people what good roads are,
and thereby create a favorable i'm.
preston among the tax payers. or per.
haps what would be better. adopt the
old Santa Fe trail as the ~initiat0ry
| step.
WHEREVER It becomes necessary
to levy taxes Ia carry on the work, II
must be done In a way that Is plain
to the tax payer that the money Is to
be used to build good and substantial
! roads at the minimum expense. and
that no part Of 1t a be used for
political favorites Of graft" Of any
kind. The making Of the roads must
be under the charge Of competent and
Trustworthy men. who know what q
good road Is ard how to make 1t sub
s~tantially and economically. All main
thoroughfares upon which there is,or
is to be a large amount Of travel,
shouud be made upon the best ground
for rcadbed, having in view the inter
est of the public and not individuals
who would like to divert the line for
their personal benefit. Cross roads
and feeders to these main lines will
furnish accommodations to individuals.
What is a Good Road and How Made.
A good road is n with as light a
grade as the topography of the coun-
try through which It runs will admit
with a firm roadbed sufficiently oval
with bitches at the sides with necess.
airy sluices to carry off all water dur
ing heavy rains or melting SHOWS.
thereby preventing the roadbed from
being washed or injured. II this Is
properly done 1t will be but a small
expense to keep the road in good re-
pair. With the improved machinery
now in use in making roads. the ex-
pense is reduced to the minimum
when intelligently used.
nnAnC