520 BOAKD OF AGRICULTUKE. 



We are all agreed that we need good roads; but it takes money to 

 build and keep them in repair. My plan for getting the money would be 

 to require a license on every vehicle used, the amount to be fixed by the 

 width of the tire on wagons, and then a heavier license for buggies and 

 bicycles. I think this no more than .iust, because many people travel the 

 roads day after day who never help to build or keep them in repair. But 

 even after the money is raised we still have a serious problem. I think 

 a superintendent should be appointed for each township by the County 

 Commissioners, instead of electing the Supervisors by popular vote; be- 

 cause men who are utterly incompetent are often elected, the saloon bum 

 having just as much to say about electing them as the man who is most 

 interested in the roads. 



Allow me to give one or two illustrations. A few years ago a saloon 

 bum living out in the country a mile and a half announced himself as a 

 candidate for Road Supervisor. The good men of the community, with- 

 out regard to party, voted against him; but he was elected .iust the same. 

 He paid no tax, never traveled the roads, except on foot, was of no benefit 

 whatever socially to his neighbors, but the President of the United States 

 never felt larger than he did when he was elected. It is needless to add 

 that the money for that district was practically squandered in one place. 

 A road ran around the side of a steep hill; instead of putting a drain on 

 the upper side of the road, he put one on the lower side— it would carry 

 just as much water, and was easier made. It was said that some of the 

 best farmers in his district lost their religion at the time, and never re- 

 gained it until removing to Rising Sun a year or so later. 



In another disti-ict the Supervisor was working the road with a crew 

 of men. Squirrels were ripe, and one morning he came on the road with 

 his gun on his shoulder. It was at first supposed that he intended to 

 shoot the first man who stopped to get a drink; but that was a mistake. 

 He told them that he was going hunting, and would probably be back 

 again in the afternoon, but told them to not work too hard, as he was 

 sure it would be a hot day. It is unnecessary to say that not a man got 

 too hot, or that the road was very little improved that day. 



In building roads, four things must be considered, grade, roadbed, 

 culverts and metal. The grade should be the best that it is possible to 

 get, even if it costs much more, and the work of metaling must be de- 

 layed, because roads are supposed to be made where they will remain for 

 ages to come, and the grade is not likely to ever be any better when the 

 metal is once put on. 



On at least one of the roads of this county preparations are now being 

 made to metal about one mile of road that is very hilly, just up one hill 

 and down another. The roadbed has been made, and the drains along the 

 sides are all right, but no amount of metal can ever make it a good road. 

 To my mind it would be better to build large culverts in the low places, 

 then grade the hills down before putting on any metal even if it takes 



