GRAVEL ROADS.
Mr. FLOYD from the Committee on Roads, reported on the bill [H. R. 55] to amend Section 7 of the act authorizing Boards County Commissioners to construct roads and issue bonds, recommending the indefinite postponement of the bill.
Mr. ADRIAN--This bill is in the interest of the people, and especially the farming community. Whatever is in the interest of the farmers is beneficial to the whole State, because agricultural growth is our first interest. We should seek to correct the errors of the past. What is it that has impeded our progress ad development in this State? It is our miserable and deplorable roads. In this matter we should heed the experience of other States as well as our own. Behold Ohio! What is it that has developed her resources, increased her commerce and place her on the high plane of agricultural development that she enjoys to-day? I answer, it is her great gravel road system. What has been accomplished in Ohio would soon be accomplished in Indiana, a State whose resources are almost on an equal and scarcely surpass by any other State in the Union. We are far behind our sister States in the Northwest in the improvement of our public highways, for which our former Legislatures alone responsible. The eyes of the people are anxiously turning to this Legislature with fond hopes that something will be done in their behalf. Shall they be disappointed, or shall they not? If you would return to your constituency with the assurance of a warm and fervent grasp of the hand, and with the exclamation of "Well done, good and faithful servant," you will give this measure your warm, cordial, and I trust undivided support.
On motion by Mr. KENNER the bill was recommitted to the Committee on Roads.
Mr. FLOYD submitted a report from the Committee on Roads on the bill [H. R. 88] authorizing the sale of plank, macadamized, etc., roads, under execution and empowering purchasers to recognize, with certain amendments, and when so amended, recommending its passage.
The report was concurred in, and the bill ordered engrossed.
