The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1919-02-11
WHAT Will OUR
COMMISSIONERS DO
Action of Former Board
on Petition Plan
Postponed
LASTING ROADS
ARE NECESSARY

In no way can the sentiment of a
people be expressed more emphatic
ally than by direct petition for that
which they desire; therefore when
a public wish is thus expressed it
should receive every attention and
consideration upon the part of f>those
addressed. Especially should this
be so in cases where the petition or
request is directed to public officials.
1t is we'll known tho unfortunate
fact, that many necessary public
improvement Is delayed an unwar-
ranted time and often is lost sight
OF altogether thru a fear upon the
part of those lin authority that public
sentiment is not unanimously in
favor of it. This is altogether a mis-
taken idea upon the part of some
officials. There is seldom unanimity
upon any subject, and negative
forces may always be found to op-
pose any measure which may come
up for discussion. Society as a rule
is composed of two factors; that is
an intelligent, progressive far-think-
ing class and the apathetic element
who never do anything in the way of
advancing an idea conducive to the
betterment of themselves or the
people at large. 1t is the latter class
OF people who let things follow their
natural bent, put up with whatever
comes along, and leaves everything
that Is done to their more thought
full neighbors.
Bingham County's Petition For Per-
penant Highways
Last fall, under the auspices of the
Bingham County Civic league, a petit.
lion was circulated and signed by
hundreds of representative citizens
and taxpayers from all parts of the
county, asking for commissioners to
build certain amount of permenant
-oad War conditions at that time
made 1t inadvisable to ask for more
han what was apparently immedi-
ltely necessary, as the government
vas then discouraging any public
work which was not considered an
Ictual war measure. This condition
md the fact that the approaching
,lection might change the personal
II the existing, board, no doubt in
luenced that body in postponing
Iction until the result Of the coming
Election was konwn. The vote
howed an entirely new board elected
N very properly the petition was
leld over and presented to the now
for consideration.
This petition undoubtedly e1-
'ressed the sentiment Of the progress
i've people Of the county. and while
requested more or less specific
rogram Of construction, 1t was
ever the less broad enough in tn
cope to permit Of either enlarge
nent or curtailment according to the
Judgment and discression Of the COM
1issioners themselves. Conditions
ave changed since the presentation
I this petition. The attitude Of the
overnment, Is now to the effect, that
IL public work which is necessary
r may become necessary in the fu-
ure, be commenced as quickly as
ossible in order to absorb the great
urpluS OF labor which will be ex-
slant in the immediate future. Far
lghted men appreciate that we are
ast approaching the most critical
eriod Of the nations history. The
'orld is full Of unrest and unless
lbor Is provided with that which il
ecessary to keep the people busy
lere is no telling what may develop
nd instead OF the era Of prosperity
, much to be desired, we may have
chaotic condition Of affairs, the re-
lit Of which no man knoweth. Bing-
am county needs permanent roads. v