Arizona republican., 1905-03-22
Convict Labor on Roads.

While the Arizona legislature failed to pass a satisfactory bill providing for convict labor on public highways. Col orado proposes to have law which will give that state Q magnificent sys- tenn Of -convict-co constructed roads. Our legislature did pass a bill purporting 10 cover the subject, but it was defec- tive in many respects. and the gov ernor could not approve it. For one thing. it provided that the convicts should be apportioned among the sev- eral counties. which was an absurd provision. It is only possible to work convicts economically when they are employed in gangs of one hundred or more, and to have scattered them over the territory in small attachments would have been expensive beyond reason.
 We gather from the Colorado Springs Gazette that the Colorado law provides for a public highway through the state of Colorado. which shall have for it's southern terminus a point in the Raton mountains on the state line between Colorado and New Mexico, where the old Barlow and Sanderson stage line. known as the Santa Fe trail,'' crosses the state line, being the northern end of what is known as "El Camino ReaT' in New Mexico, running thence in a hOrtherly direction as nearly as prac- tieable. through the following cities and towns: Trinidad Walsenburg, Pueblo Colorado Springs. Denver. Lohgmont, Loveland and Fort Collins.
 The construction, repair and mainte- nance of this highway are to be done under the authority and control of the board of commissioners of the penitenUiary of the state of Colorado and the warden of the penitentiaTy is authorized and required to construct said highway by the use of the labor of the penitentiary convicts. and also to construct in like manner such ex- tensions of said highway and such oth- CT public roads leading to said highway as may from time to time be provided for by further enactments of the gen. eFaI assembly.
 The Colorado highway, if so con- structed, will be a part of an interstate road. of which a section has already been built in New Mexico by convict labor, and another section of which the government of New Mexico is about to construct. extending north ward to the Colorado line at the point specified in this bill for the beginning Of the Colorado highway. It is also expected that before, or soon after the Colorado section is completed. the state Of Wyoming will undertake it's cxten- stns from the Colorado line to the Yel- lo&stone national park
 Such a splendid highway. extending efPusn the Mexican border to the north ern frontier along the eastern base of 1he Rocky mountains, 9pen throughout the year for automobiles and other pleasure vehicles, would be a notable achievement and improvement. and would undoubtedly be a great drawing attraction for visitors to that part of the country.
 Had the Arizona legislature seen fit to enact a practicable law. it could have been made of immense benefit to the Salt River valley. without extra cost to the territory. and eventually it would have been of inestimable value to the territory as whole. for it would be difficult to place a limit on the worth Of a comprehensive system of good roads in Arizona. With convict labor it would have been possible to construct a permanent, macadamized Mesa ta the Buckeye country. for ex ample. and such a road. in addition to it's great utility for the residents of the valley. would have proved one of the strongest possible attractions for win ter visitors.