The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1868-01-24
The Road Cuf,rentfoaa.

Magraw to The chair, and appointing VIM.
I'll. Dallam, Secretary.
The chairman of the committee appointed
ut the last meeting, presented the following
report, which was adopted:
To Thomas archer, Esq, President Of the Read
Convention Of Hayord County.
Your Committee appointed to devise some
mode for the improvement of the condition
of our Public Roads and Bridges, respectfully
report, that in the discharge of their duty,
/ they have diligently ayailed themselves of
all the information upon the subject that they
could obtain; that they have examined into
| the Road System OF some OF the other states,
and find that whilst there are many salutary
features in them, yet there are also provis-
ions which your committee think would be
ineXpedient for us to adopt and Others which
are contrary to the constitutional law of our
State. In PENNSYLVANIA they tax trades, of
fees and occupations for road purpoecs. In
our State we can tax only real and personal
property. In Ohio and New York they re-
quire every man between certain ages to
work on the road given number of days, or
commute by paying sum of money per
diem.
Your committee deem the present cond-
ton of the highways mainly attributive to,
1st, The want of an adequate amount of mo
ney levied to mend and keep them in order.
2nd To the improper expenditure of money
! by supervisors, and Sd, To the inability of
the supervisor to employ the best labor and
make 'iudicious contracts, for want of money
in hand to pay when work is completed
| All this can be remedied in our opinion
by the faithful application and enforcement
of our present Road Laws, without addition
al legislation. The County Commissioners
have ample powers to lay all needtul taxes
| ha in hn ntyr
Code, art. 90, sec. 81. The County Commits
sioners have also power anc control over the
supervisors to compel them to execute their
duty. The supervisors are to be guided and
governed by regulations and restrictions
laid down by the County Commissioners, and
are liable to removal by them, and indct-
ment and fine, at the instance Of any one in
terested, for neglect of duty or malfeasance
in Office, Code, art. so, sec. Is and 16). The
third evil may be cured by anticipation of the
collection of taxes, by sale of certificates Of
Indebtedness or otherwise, SO that you viii
perceive that there is at present vested in the
Board of County Commissioners authority
sufficient to enable them to put our roads
in good condition. ........t.... .s ,1...
| And your committee would suggest that
| this Convention pass resolution, asking the
County Commissioners to take into consider
alton the present condition of our Roads and
Bridges, and to levy a sufficient amount in
their Judgment to make, mend, and gradually
to permanently improve them, and also to
pass such needful Negotiations and restlic
tons" for the guidance of their supervisors,
as will reduce their general powers to whole
some and well regulated system. a
And we would recommend that the com
nissioners require that the supervisor Of
each district view and examine the roads and
bridges in his district and make careful esti-
mate of the cost of making and repairing the
roads therein, and report the same to them
two months before the c'ose Of the annual
levy. > 'F .-2 H',
This duty well performed would enable the
Commissioners TO better arrive at the proba-
bic amount required for road purposes. .
Also, that the Commissioners pay over TO
the supervisor the amount allowed to his
district, taking his receipt for the same.
That the supervisors keep books of ae-
count, wherein shall be entered all sums of
money received and disbursed, and on what
account, and to whom, which books shall be
open at all times for inspection, and they
should also make an annual account under
oath of all monies received and expended and
produce vouchers for the same to them.
Also, that the supervisors be required to
mend the roads between the LIST day of April
and the 1st day of October, in each and ev-
cry year. .h, ~ ... = e.
We would also recommend that whenever
any landholder shall make application to have
any road or portion thereof assigned to him.
and he shall agree to keep it in good condi-
ton, that he shall be permitted to take such
road or portion, and in consideration of his
doing SO, that he shall be paida certain sum
of money annually, to be agreed upon, which
! sum is not to be decreased as long as such
i road is kept in good order.
Your Committee also think it the duty of
each citizen to take personal interest in the
| roads and bridges, and in fact become su-
pervisor himself, to report neglect of super
visors to call attention of Commissioners to
condition of roads not in travelling order and
\ in bridges dangerous to pass over, and any
obstruction or intolerance placed in the high
way; and they would also recommend that
the attention of the States Attorney should
also be called to the many abuses and nui-
sances now existing, and request him vigo-
4 rously to prosecute all persons liable to pun
ishment under the common law and proyis-
! ions of our statutes.
And your Committee think that if we, each
! and all of our citizens, go cheerfully to work
and allow our lands and other property to be
economically taxed, and look only to the inn
$ provement of the value of our real estate and
our own convenience as recompense land q
| llDeIdl Oi1e III Will De|, we Will BOON nave our
County Roads and Bridges credit to us in
stead ola disgrace. -n... .t
All of which is respectfully submitted
! CHEYNEY HOSK1NS,
"a Chairman of Committee.
Mr.. Franklin Whitaker offered the follow
ing resolution:
/ Resolued, That the resolution passed at the
preceding meeting of this Convention, on
: the 3Oth ultimo, recommending an increase of
taxation, be and the same is hereby rescind-
ed. 'he +t''+ va
ton: ~ VA
la4;Your committee to further the object ofthe
Convention, would respectfully recommend
that committee ofthree be appointed by all-
thority of the Convention, to lay the pro-
ceedings of this body before the Commission
ers of the county, and ascertain from them
what action they will be likely to take in the
matter. ~ .i'.t' h" @7& N.'' ..i.'" 3Ht ID
And your committee further recommend,
that petitions be drawn, parties interested APP
pointed to circulate them among the taxpay-
d ers for their signatures, recommending the
County Commissioners to levy such tax for
road purposes as in their wisdom would seem
requisite. ,7 soda ADA h -gltf toe It..
r. Under which the chair appointed the fol-
lowing committee Mr.. Franklin Whitaker,
VIM. Hughes and E. Fl. Beans.
| v. Gbaynau Hoskins Een fnff,arad tho Rollo,.y