Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-04-02
THE NEW ROAD Law,


The CHRONICLE has frequently called
attention to the imperfections in the old
road law Of the State. Its theory was that
the poor men-non property holders were
to build the public roads and accordingly
they were taxed and the landholders were
exempt. In other words the old law made
the men work on the roads who had the
least interest in keeping them in
order. The result was poor roads.
The Legislature just adjourned pass.
ed law which, if properly enforced,
will certainly give us better public high
ways. Every citizen is deeply interested
in it and should help in securing its en-
forcement. The Nashville Tanner gives
the following outline of the law, which we
reproduce with pleasure ~" 'i.h mo
1t makes it 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 highways
and bridges, and the building of of bridges,
where Necessary, t, provide implements
which can not be furnished by, the hands
in each district, and to assess the requisite
tax in their respective districts. . q,
Every person owning or occupying land
in a district where he resides and every
male inhabitant between the ages of eigh-
teen and forty-five, residing in the district,
is to be assessed to work on the highways,
and the lands of non-residents assessed to
defray 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
overseer of roads, in twenty days after his
election, is required to furnish the Com
sc,so I,.A 49, Ill. ~ A.. -
his district, who are liable to work, Tex
cepting ministers OF the Gospel, Iiiliors
and jurymeD) who are to be assessed five
days work in each year, The residue of
highway labor is to be assessed upon the
property, in the district, of non-residents,
and upon the real and personal estate of
every inhabitant, the Commissioners dis
tinguishing in their assessment list the
amount charged upon such land from the
personal tax, if any, of such occupant, and
if his land is assessed, the owner shall not
himself he 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, Oh account of land rented
bythem, are allowed to deduct the amount
from rent or recover from landlords at a
fair communication per day for such labor.
Overseers will be elected for not less than
three nor more than five miles of road, to
serve one year, to give notice to all persons
assessed to work. when towork and where,
also to notify nonresident owners of land
in their districts, or their agents, of their
assessments. Persons not willing to work
may elect to commute for the same at the
rate of dollar per day, to be paid over to
the overseer, and by him applied to ex-
pense account of road. The oyerseer is
clothed with power to require cart, wag-
on or pillow, with yoke of oxen or span of
horses, and hand to manage them, to be
furnished by their owners, who shall have
been assessed and may be liable for three
days service 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
refusal 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 Commissions
ers and new roads may be surveyed on
the petition of twelve ffse-hoiders. Com
missioners assessing damages, and persons
aggrieved having the right of appeal to
the County Court. Ample restrictions, by
security and penalties, are thrown around
and overseers to guarantee
faithful performance of official service.
THEE ATE @rnpus