The courier-index. (Marianna, Ark.) 1917-current, 1920-06-04

was that of the highway construc-
ton. He declared that in his opin-
ion road building is of the highest
Importance and said that he ia
vored good roads, with the accent
on the "good." On this important
point Coy. McRae said:
''The general assembly made
mistake when it plunged this COM
paratively undeveloped state into
road building program which calls
for 5000 miles of roadway to cost
from Sis, 100000 to S140,000,000
with no provision for maintenance.
If all these roads were actually con-
structed they would cost one-third
as much as the assessed value of the
lands of the state.
1.-THE people have been so shocked
and insensed at the unbusiness-like
project as whole, and at many un-
Just details, that the cause of good
roads has been set back, rather
than advanced.
Contracts have already been let
for 1000 or more miles of roads,
to cost more than $50,000,000. This
alone is sum greater than propos-
ed for roads for the empire state
of New York.
81 suggest to all commissioners
who have not yet let contracts TO
not do so until money and labor
conditions, and cost of materials,
become more favorable. Nor should
road be pushed where a majority
of effective citizens are opposed to
it.
Nobody can afford to stand for
reputation, but we must go slow
in pushing new burdens upon the
people. AS governor / would veto
any bill for a levy of taxes or for
the creation of a debt for roads or
other improvements unless shown
that the people had petitioned for
same, or is referable to them.
"But | realize the folly of rely
ing solely on the power of the veto
in combating the local or special
bill evil More than one governor
in the past has found that local
bill can be passed very quickly over
his veto. Therefore, the people
must be on the alert to stop the
crimes of the local bill. believe
that Amendment No. 10, now be-
fore the people, to be voted on next
November, will do more to curb the
local legislative evil than any gov
ernor with his power of veto can
do, and l hope it may be passed"
Col. McRea also devoted some at
tention to the penitentiary and state
charitable institutions. He said the
present commission form of man.
agement of the penitentiary is
failure and should be abolished and
its supervision turned over to a hon.
orary or ex-officio board with a
manager under bond for each farm.
"The penitentiary," said he,
SHOULD he humanely run and should
also be operated on a strictly cash
basis. The commission or board
that supervises it should also have
supervision over the reform and cor
rectional institutions"
He expressed regret that the state
charitable institutions should or
could be dragged into politics, and
said:
Instead of a political board
drawing a big yearly salary, at
tending to private business and man
aging political campaigns, we should
have an honorary board, represent
ing in personnel both men and wo-
men appointed to the position be-
cause of fitness and sympathies.
Also, the superintendent of the
elemosynary institutions should be
given increased powers and held
personally responsible for the man.
agement of the respective institu.
tions."
Insisting that his greatest purpose
is to provide a sensible program
for restoring the state government
to the people and running it on this
economic basis, he said:
s'This will be much simpler thar
it might seem. | propose to sta!
on the job. | am not and neve
will be a candidate for the Unitet
States Senate, as is the case witt
some of my opponents. Nor do
have any ambition to go out Of
! dress parade before the people o
! other states. | mean to know wha
: is happening every week of my in
: cumbency, if elected. A governo
should be what the name implies. II
t should keep in vital touch with tn
$ operations of the charitable inst