Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-12-11
FOR THE ENQUIRER.

TO tie Mep,derS Of the Legislature.
GENTLEMEN.-Permit me to address few
remarks to you upon the subject of the
own: that it is a subject that feel much
solicitude about, and am encouraged to hone
from the spirit of investigation that is excited
that the time is not far distant when we shall
see the road system so revised, and the great
Ieading roads to our markets put into such
good order that none OF the carriers of the
produce OF our soil TO our different markets
VIII nave Just cause Of complaint fit be ask
ed, winch Is the best possible way of getting
me great roads 10 our markets put ID COED or
DER, so as tor II TO he least Objectionable In the
public answer, according to nay moor 0pin-
iou, that either of two ways would nroduce
the desired effect. The first is TO pass a law
COM cling the county courts of this common.
wealth, at their March or April court m sum-
mon all their magistrates together with all
tneir surveyors of roads, and to max g a general
arrangement of all their roads and an assirn.
ment OF sufficient number Of hands TO keen
me sald roads In repair, and instead of the
penalty for neglect of duty I'm a surveyor being
los. let 1t DC at least thirty dollars and the fine
upon the person for falling to attend such sur-
veyOr with proper tools when summoned ar
least two dollars, and that all warrants he
brought III the name of the commonwealth
against delinquents. and that the suI yeyor he =,
competent witness. Perhaps il would be ripht
10 give to the surveyor, IS a compensation fer
his trouble one half OF such recovery. and the
m H. e,
repair tie said road.
IDLY. Would it not be better to pass a law
requiring the courts of this commonwealth ar
their March or April court to appoint one mr.
more commissioners or supervisors, whose bu
slnesS 1t shall be to lay Oft the treat LEADING
roads TO their markets into divisions ,yho
snail advertise that he will OH such dav lot
out the repairing of Sucli district. being No
upon such road to the lowest bidder for
years, and that he will proceed from nut,
all lar l,s
zone, let bond be taken according TO contract
u to'l0ws OF course to enquire where is the
money to come from to pay those several un
dertdkers?
The supervisor having ascertained the ar,re-
gate eXpence. and made his report To- the
court, will net tie court proceed to levy as
much money upon the tytlies OF the county AZ
VIII detiay the eXpence, allowing the saceipt
OF each undertaken for services rendered noon
the road tn be receivable in taxes by the sbe
VII before final liquidation of ms accounts
Win the courIl This tax | presume would h,
less Objectionable in this way thaa any other
i0r u Is the y tile al present that performs ths
labor upon the road and any other mod &c
taxation would IN my opinion he mneoual
Iproceed to PROFOUND several queries. and
make answers to them. as tie best mode of
conveying my poor ideas.
Query Isl. Ought every public road. such az
= roaus, roads leading tn cOurihOuses, public
places OF worship, &c. come under the notice
OF the supervisor q lHEcgr No road OUGHT 10
be taken INTO consideration but the great lead
ing roads to the market where the produce of
their soil is carried.
End How arc The little neighborhood ROADS
and the cross roads through the county TO be
kept III repair, il they are not taken into mi.
system '-dnscer. In the same manner thst
they now are with some little alteration IN t',e
present road law to compel prompt atten
dance of the hands
3rd. viii thus system, if carried into effect
produce indictments in the neighDofbood
where those roads are that are not taken info
thls system, in consequence Of their having TO
WORK on those roads and pay an equal tax with
other citizens of the county for the repairing