The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1913-07-19
L'Anse, Mich, July 16, 1913.


or retaining the county road system in
Baraga county is nearing. feel that
altogether too little publicity has been
given to this important matter. Many
of the voters have gained a wrong inn
preston regarding the system since
the recent investigation, and / fear
this sentiment may prevail over the
better knowledge of those who are
more familiar with the facts.
must acknowledge that for q time |
was opposed to the county road system
but during the lastseveral years have
had occasion and opportunity to become
thoroughly familiar with the conditions
and needs throughout the county.
have taken everything into considera-
both for and against the system, |
have gathered data and information
from every source, and / will say open
IL and frankly that can see no just
reason why the system should be abol-
ished, but on the contrary believe it is
to the best interest of our county at
large to retain the system.
i have failed to find single individu-
al in Baraga county who can prove that
the county road system is wrong.
! fine all the complaints against the
system are local in character; it is
thought to Cbe alright for the
state but not for our county.
Some contend that the system in this
county is failure since it was institut-
ed; that there has been graft; that the
road money has been spent wrongfully
and discriminately in favor of certain
districts; and many similar complaints,
all of which are contaolled by the coun-
ty road law.
1t is not for me to pass judgment on
the actions of auy of our past and pres
ent road officials, but / Will say, that
if for any such reasons the system is
considered unsatisfactory, that if any
of the county road officials fail to do
their duty, the proper procedure is to
set about to correct such conditions. and
to improve the methods of road build
ing. 1t is not necessary to abolish the
system to gain coed results, but it is
imperative that we correct the abuses
and errors that have kept the system
from being the benefit to our county
that it has proved to be in the entire
state.
When the county road system was
first originated, the residents of the
towns and cities objected because the
law compelled the incorporated cities to
pay county road tax, contending that
it was unjust to require cities to assist
in building roads to the farmers. Data
and information was gathered by the
state authorities which proved beyond
a doubt that it was to the best interest
of the towns and cities to have coed
roads to the communities because it
would materially cheaper the price Of
the farm produce brought to market.
This is an undeniable fact and true
condition in Michigan, and what is true
for the state must also he true for the
county.
Carefully consider before you cast a
vote to abolish the system that if prop
erly supp. 'orted and managed it will
aid in securing good roads. You should
be Just as must interested in this great
question as am; your future and that
of your posterity may depend upon the
stand you take in this matter. The
people of Baraga county need more
and better roads and the time to build
such roads is now, while the natural
wealth is yet undiminished. Nearly
half a million dollars of the natural
wealth is being removed each year
from this county. At that rate the
natural wealth will soon be gone and
the result will be that the farmers and
residents will have to shoulder the bur-
den Of building such roads.
Yours respectfully,
CHAs. H. ANDERSON.