The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1915-02-04

Occur AieHeS, To say nothing OF the
other minerals, through the Dead
wood country to Edwardsburgh, -and
near thai point tapping the Thunder
Mountain and Warren districts, was
enthusiastically discussed Saturday
night at the Commercial Club. ;"
From the Boise Statesman, Jan.
25th.
This is the opening parag graph of a
news item dealing with two proposed
bills for the construction OF wagon
road from Boise to EdNardsbuTg on
iBig Creek in Idaho county. One
proposed bill provides that the work
should be entirely done by convict
labor, and appropriates $4,000. with
which to purchase teams tools.
camp equipment, etc. The other bill
while providing that convict labor
may be employed on tie proposed
road, makes direct appropriation of
S75, 500 for its construction.
At this time We are not interested
in discussing the relative merits of
the Two bills. Neither shall we com
ment on the proposition to use cen
Wet labor in the construction of the
road, save in one particular
Convicts may we'll be eager for the
passage of the bill--as they under
stand it; so they would have cause TO
rejoice at any sign of humanitrian in
terest in their employment and vel.
fare, but our legislators should be.
ware lest the latter Of these two bills
carries with it 4 provision whsreun-
der convict labor be contracted, ia
Iality and misfortune for Idaho they
would better pray Heaven TO guard
them from.
Our immediate interest is conceri
ed with the proposition Of any wagon
road from Boise to Central Idalo, to
he constructed at state expense. On
this matter We do not wish to be mis-
understood; we Of Central Idaho
want our entire district opened up by
wagon roads and railruaus, tele-
phones, and every other convenience
that Will assist ia its settlement
and industrial development. Why
shouldn't we' The mineral produc-
tion OF Lemhi and Custer counties is
not oue-hundredth part Of what il
will be with adequate railroad .and
wagon road development. ln tie
eastern portions Of Idaho county con-
dilions are even worse; In many oi
tile districts claims are not even be.
ing represented, because of the pro.
worth of labor or Improvements on
each claim In the Wilson Creek dis
trict, that has twice won the state
premium fol- gold ores at the Boise
fair, 1t is probable that not single
claim has had 81 in labor expended
on 1t in FIVE years past, except such
few claims as are equipped with an
arastra, the working OF which on the
ores mined, pays for such develop
ment. We know We have hundreds
OF thousands OF acres OF yellow pine
and ir timber ripe for the saw, need
ing only means for its transportation
To the markets of commerce and
trade. Grasses, OH which might range
millions Of live stock, clOthe ouI
mountains with verJure in tbs
springtime bloom and wither in the
fall, without adding one peuny to the
wealth OF Idaho. All the various In.
dustTies associated Sith the handling
tnf livestock, With mining and witt
numbering, can find in DUr rivers and
streams energy to make them indus
trially possible and profitable
Much as we need wagon roads IL
Central Idaho, let no legislator delud'
himself into believing that the pass
age of either Of the bills proposed
viii result in the construction Of on'
mile of such convenience that SiIl bs
ussable when finished. The co struc
tiUn of such road from Boise hat
been tried before, and failed
The first failure VAS the wagoI
road that, beginning in Garden Val
: ley. Was constructed through the up
per end Of Peace Valley, and over IN
= u Penn basin. That road runs in th'
|, vicinity uf the lead deposits On Dead
, wood alluded TO In the Statesmai
: articIe-in fact discovery Of those de
Z po,its WIS made the year the roai
/ Vas built. II Dead God distric
; needs wagon rosd such oonVen
e ieucs can b. constructed at sigh
lcost, by n shorter route aud Wit