Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 December 1892 — ROADS FOR FARMERS. [ARTICLE]

ROADS FOR FARMERS.

The Congress at Indianapolis Attacks the Question with Energy. The second day’s session of the Indiana Hoad Congress at Indianapolis, was attended by 400 or 5000 delegates. While the congress 'ls divided as to what steps should be taken to securebetter roads it is apparent that the outcome will be at least a healthy public sentiment in favor of good reads, which will result eventually in some desirable legislation. The farmers who are in a majority in the congress have not had a great deal to say, but whenever they have spoken they have opposed any movement which proposes to increase their taxes or add to their bonded indebtedness. At the opening of the session Rufus Magee of Logansport offered a resolution that tho World’s Fair be opened on Sunday. x lie resolution was laid on tho table by the congress without discussion. The Illinois Highway Improvement Association sent a letter of greeting to tho congress, and stated that for twenty years it hud been trying to ro : form the road laws of Illinois, and now began to see daylight The letter Btated that the Governor-eleot and a majority of the members of the Legislature were pledged to road reformation. The first paper of the day was by W. P. Carmichael, of Wellingtord. It dealt with “Some Criticisms of tho Fresont Systom of Road-Making in Indiana.” In the discussion of the papor Mr. Brown, of Fayette County, said that there are in the State about forty thousand miles of road. He estimates that the roads could all bo put in good condition at a cost of $8(10 a mile. This would entail an expenso of $2.50 an acre for the land in tho Slate. This cost could be distributed ovor ten years and would cost the owners of tho land 25 cents an acre each year. Ho thought that this expense would not bo burdensome.

Mr. Martindnle said that the idea prevailed that Indiana was behind her sister States in the construction of roads. TThat was a mistake. The supervisor system, ho said, was defective in itself. It had not been executed as it might have been. It was established at a time when it was necessary to go from village to village. The boat that could be done with it was to use it in keeping the next roads passable. He said that if the delegates oamo here with the intention of “ripping up” tho present law they were on a mistaken mission. The thing to do was to amend and better tho present laws. Prof. AV. B. Johnson, of Franklin College, in an address, said that the roads of the State were faulty in the essential particulars of good engineer* Ing. Roads, too, he said, were faulty as to construction of bridges and drainage, which was the most Important factor. The natural soil, day, was strong enough to support any load placed upon it. Along tho roads wore deep ditches, but they do not carry water. Drainage under tho road is almost wholly unknown. The present supervision of roads, ho avorrod, wan faulty. Supervisors were generally Intelligent men, but they laoked technical knowledge of road-building and maintenance. It was desirable to have o trained corps of men to build roads and keep them in repair. J, A. Robinson, of Shelby County, n People’s party man, said he had reaohedthe conclusion that any effort to tamper with the present road law would result in the getting of no law at all. Ho believed with many farmers that entirely too much money was spent inside tho court houses on the roaerquestions. Ho said he believed that any report which looked to the increase of the bonded Indebtedness of the farmers would receive a black eye in the Legislature. ‘lt seemed to him that there were men who were always ready to put additional burdens on the farmers. Tho men who had built this nation were the farmers behind the plow. Progress, he said, declared that the people who supported this nation had a right to demand that the general government come out here and assist in m iking good roads. Mr. Robinson made a long plea for the farmer. The congress was furnished a statement from the State Auditor in tho afternoon showing that tho total road tax in Indiana in 1892 was $2,209,875. This sum, it was stated, did not lnolude taxes raised for free turnpikes or for bridges. Many of the delegates expressed the opinion that this amount of money, if wisely spent each year, ought to build a great many good roads.