The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1914-01-31
3D. ROADS
hON PROBfD

solutions OIIeTeu Dy oeId-
IS, of Cecil county, and also
ne folloWinp statement of
Williams, which is herewith
d from the Stars columns in
nat Mr.. Williams constituents
Understand the position he is TAX
n the matter.
A offering the roads resolutions and
vocating their adoption, Senator
filliams said he had no apology to
make for engaging the Senate's atten-
/tion on this subject at this time be-
cause at is by all odds the biggest
problem with which we shall have to
grapple in this session, and it is a
problem with which we should grapple
as the peoples accredited and respon-
sible representatives. In discussing
this subject, however, | should like to
clear away in the very beginning two
or three possible misunderstanding
In the first place, am not antagoniz
ing the good roads movement. No man
should insult his brother man by ask
ing if he is in favor of good roads any
more than by asking if he is in favor
of good clothes, good houses, good
food, or good anything else. That is
one proposition on which we are all
agreed and which we may dismiss.
"Secondly, am making no attempt
to introduce here or anywhere any
captious criticism of the Good Roads
Commission. | have as high respect
for the gentlemen who constitute that
body as one man can possibly have for
another. But they are just our folks.
They are the men who have been
taken from beside us in the various
walks of life to constitute a commits
sion which is nothing more nor less
than the peoples ministerial agency,
and it is a strange doctrine that the
principal (the people) should not most
carefully inquire into the proceedings
of their agent. And that is all this
resolution is asking. If by way of re-
jc,nder it be said that the agent, that
is to say, the COMMISSIONERS rem
dered this account in the printed re-
port that has been laid upon our desk,
let me say that to a certain extent |
agree with that rejoinder. | want it
expressly understood that | am not
intending to intimate that the report
of our State Road Commission is not
accurate and, in many respects, adj
mirable. Let it be equally under
stood that it is not sufficient report
on which the people or their accredit-
ed representatives can make up a
sound and wise judgment as to what
steps they shall take with reference
to the continuance of this great under
taking. The report so far as it goes
furnishes US, make no doubt, with
accurate information, but it certainly
does not bring us all the information
which is needed. In other words, there
t,,,,, ,,hn IF .,f,,
ton with which the commissions re-
port does not deal at all, but with
which the peoples representatives
any wise true to the trust which has
been reposed in them as public ser
wants. Let me illustrate:
"This report, for instance, does not
touch the vital considerations that are
involved il this great subject. The
report tells us how many miles of
roads have been built, where they have
been bui!t, of what material, at what
cost etc, etc It tells US this, have
no doubt, accurately, but it does not
deal with the financing of that road
building. | am not criticisng the COM
missions report 1t was not expected
to deal with that phase Of the subject.
Its business was to build roads. 1T
has built them and has told us how
and where and when and at what cost.
1t is the PEOPLES business. and the
business of the persons -eminentlv
who are their accredited representa-
tives, to finance the enterprise and il
nrien v,h;rh nanrot. Ta LA nnor ~
shoulders of any road commission or
any public official from the governor
down, or any political party or poll
tical boss. The financing of this enter
prise must rest upon the responsible
shoulders Of the General Assembly of
Maryland, which is nothing but the
people Of Maryland assembled in their
representative capacity. We cannot
evade this fact. We dare not shirk our
responsibility for it How are we 60
ing to meet it? There are certain