The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1873-04-18
The New Road Law.

The following is the substance of the
road law passed by the last Legislature.
1t will prove interesting to many of our
readers, and should be preserved:
It is made the duty of county courts to
lay off their counties into road districts,
appointing three commissioners from each
district to attend to the repair of high
ways and bridges, and the building of
bridges, where necessary; to provide i'm
plements which cannot be furnished by
the hands in each district, and to assess
the requisite tax in their respective dis
tricts.
Every person owning or occupying
land in a district where he resides, and
every male inhabitant between the ages
of eighteen and forty five, residing In the
district, is to be assessed to work on the
highways, and the lands of non residents
assessed TO dsfray expenses of highway
labor. Commissioners meet at the county
court clerks Office on the lst day Of June
each year to assess the highway tax The
overRser of roads, in twenty days after
his election, is required to furnish the
commissioners q list of all the inhabi'
tants of his district, who are liable to
work, excepting ministers of the Gospel,
milIers and juFymeR,) who are TO be as
sessed five days work in each year. TIE
residue of highway labor is to be assess
ed UPON the property, in the district, Of
nen~residents, and upon the real and per
sOnal estate of every inhabitant, the COM
missionsrs distinguishing in their assess
ment list the amount charged upon sessh
land from the personal tax, If any, of such
occupant, and if his land is assessed, the
Ill A.w.an9E h. .oaaaand 20
work during that year on account Of such
| land
Tenants of land for q less time than
| twenty Eve years, who may be assessed
| to work on roads, on account of land
rented by them, are allowed to deduct
! the amount from rent or recover from
landlords at a fair Communication per day
| for such labor.
| Overssers will be elected for no less
| than three nor more than FIVE miles OF
road, 20 serve one year. to give notice to
| ali persons assessed to work, when to
work and where, also TO notify non-resi-
| dent owners of land in their district. or
their agents, Of their assessments. Per-
sons not willing to work may elect Il
| commuts for the same at the rate of one
dollar pei day, to be paid over to the
oVerseer, and by him spilled to expense
account of road.
The overseer is clothed with power to
require 4 cart, wagon or pillow, with yoke
of oxen or span of horses, and hand tt
manage them, to be furnished by theil
owners, who shall have been assessed and
may be liable for three days service OF
more, and such persons will be entitled
to credit Of three days for each day
service there with. Persons warned {,
work may appear IN person or by sub
stlsute, working eight hours each day.
Penalties are imposed for neglect o.
refusal to work or furnish teams.
Whsaever limestone or gravel can b.
had, no other material shall be useh II
the construction Of roads The survey o
roads is under the direction of twslv
free holders. commissioners assessing
damages, and persons aggrieved havini
the right of appeal to the county court
Ample restrictions, by security and pen
alties, are thrown around the commits
sioners and 0verssers 70 guarantee faith
full performances Of official service.