Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1873-04-03
THE NEW ROAD LAW.

THE NEW ROAD LAW.
Below we give a synopsis Of the new
law passed by the Legislature just adj
journed, to regulate the construction of
: public Roads. We believe the law to be
agood one, and also, one of the most nec>
essary measures that has gouc into effect
for years. Under our present system, if
system it can be called, that branch Of
internal improvement has been sadly neg
lected, greatly to the detriment OF the
Whole country, In the present condition
Of the public highways in this county it
costs Learly as much to haulthe Levy pro-
ducts of the farm TO marlet asst doe to
Ia Sc them, and reduces the f. rnerS pr fits
in a corresponding degree. 1t is to the
it rest of every farmer in the country to
urge the carrying of this new law into effect
as soon as possible. The saving in horse
flesh alone will amply repay the additions
al expenditure, We trust our County
Court at its next term will proceed to Or
ganizc under the n1w law b. lay
ing off the county into road districts and
appointing the commissioners at once so
as to IN active operations on our
much neglected highways at the earliest
possible moment.
There is nothing except the lack of a
good common school system that has
tended to discourage immigration more
than the condition Of our roads, and per-
SONS from other States who have been ac-
customed TO good roads will not purchase
lands and settle where there is no pros
pect for improvement.
Let US commence the work at once.
The new law makes it the duty of Coun-
ty Uturtsto Jay of their counties into road
districts, appointing three commissioners
from each district to attend to the repair
of highways and bridges, and the build.
ing of bridges, where necessary, to pro-
vide Implements which can not be furnish.
ed by the hands in each district, and to
assess the requisite tax in their respective
districts.
Every person owning or occupying land
in a district where he resides and every
male inha bitant between the ages of eigh-
teen and forty-fve, residing in the district,
is to be assessed to work on the highways,
and the lands of non-residents assessed to
uufray expenses of highway labor. Com
missioners meet at the County Court
Clerks Office on the LIST day of June of
each year to assess the highway tax. The
overscer of roads, in twenty days after
his election, is required to furnish the
Commissioners a list of'all the inhabitants
bf his district, who are liable to work
excepting ministers of the Gospel, millcrs,
and jurymen) who are to be assessed five
days work in each year. The residue of
highways labor is to be assessed upon the
property, in the district, of nen>resideuts,
and upon the zeal and personal estate of
every inhabitant,t the Commissioners diStil :
gushing in their assessment list h amount
charged upon such land from the personal
tax, if any, of such occupant, and if his
land is assessed, the owner shall not HIM
self be assessed to work during that year
on account of such land.
Tenants OF land for a less time than
twenty-five years, who may be assessed to
work on roads, on account OF land rented
by them, are allowed to deduct the
hmbent from rent or recover from land,
lords at a fair communication per day for
such labor. Overseers will be elected fer
not less than three nor more thar FIVE
miles of road, to serve one year, to give
notice to all persons assessed to work,
when to work and where, also to notify
nonresident owners of land in their dis,
%tricts, or their agents, of their assessments.
Persons not willing to work may elect to
Commute for the PANE at the late of a
dollar per day, to be paid over to the
overseer, aud by him applied to expense
account of road. The overseer is clothed
with power to require a cart, wagon or
plow, with yoke Of oxen or span Of horses,
and hand to manage them, to be furnish
ed by their owners, who shall have been
assessed any may be liable for three
services or more and such persons will be
entitled to a credit of three days for each
days service Herewith. Persons warned
to work, may appear in person or by
substitute, working eight hours each day.
Penalties are imposed for neglect or re-
fusal to work or to furnish teams.
Whenever limestone or gravel can be
had, no other material shall be used in
the construction of roads. The survey
Of roads is under the direction of the
Commissioners, and new reads may be
surveyed on the petition of twelve Free
holders. Commissioners assessing DANA
res, and persons aggrieved having the
right of appeal to the County Court
Ample RESTRICTIONS by security and pen
%alties, are thrown around Commissioners
aud overseers to guarantee faithful per-
formancc of official service.
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A KENTUCKY VIEW OF THE