The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1873-04-17
PubIic Hiehmavs in rennessee

uOfAC AAASs AAfsE%9S III tennessee.
One of the most important laws ens
acted at the session of the General As
sembiy inst closed, was that regulating
the Improvement of public reads in the
State. It makes IL the duty OF fIta
County Courts to lay off their counties
IL road districts, appointing three COM
EnissiOners from each district TO attend
to the repair of highways and bridges.
and the building of bridges, where nee
esSary to provide implements which
cannot be furnished by the hands in
each district; and 70 assess the requisite
tax in their respective districts. Every
person owning or occupying land in A
district where he resides and every
male inhabitaut between the aQes Of
eighteen and forty-fiye, residing in the
district is to be assessed to work on
the highways, and the lands of non-res-
idents assessed co defray expenses of
highway labor. Commissioners meet
at the County Court Clerks Office on
the list day of June each year TO
assess the highway tax. The oyerseer
of roads, in 20 days after his election, is
required 10 furnish the commissioners
list of all the inhabitants of his district
who are liable to work, Except minis
tiers of tile gospel, mlllers and jarymen)
who are to be assessed five days work
in each year. The residue of highway
labor is to be assessed upon the proper
~, in the districts, or non-residents,
and upon the real and personal estate of
every inha bitant, the Commissioners
distinguishing in their assessment list
the amount charged upon such land
from the personal tax, If any, of such
occupant, and If the land is assessed the
owner shall not himself be assessed to
work during that year on account of
of fet-
time than twenty-five years, who may
be assessed to work on roads, on ac-
count of land rented by them, are al
lowed to deduct the amount from rent
or recover from landlords at a fair COM
pensation 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 to
work and where, also to notify nOn-res-
ident owners of land in their districts,
or their agents, of the assessment. Per-
sons not willing to work may elect TO
commute for the same, at the rate of a
dollar per day, to be paid over to the
Overseer, and by him applied to expense
account of road. The Overseer is
clothed with power to require a cart,
wagon or pillow, with yOkes 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 credit of three days for each days
service Herewith. Persons warned to
work may appear in person or by sub
stitute, working eight hours a 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 roads may be
surveyed on the petition of twelve free
holders, Commissioners assessing dam
ages, and persons agrieved having the
right of appeal to the County Courts.
Ample restrictions, by security and
penalties, are thrown around Commits
sioners and Overseers to guarantee
faithful performance of official service.
Such, in brief, embraces all the essen
tial features of the law, which appears
to us to be very good one. If strictly
and zealOusly complied with, we shall
soon have good roads all over our State,
greatly to the advantage of our interior
commerce and agriculture, and very
materially to the enhancement of lands
and farms. The citizens of the district
should, whenever possible, comply with
| the requirements for the employment
| of1imestOne and gravel. The property
| in districts where such substantial high
| ways are put down, will have the call
| on that where less durable and passable
| roads are laid.-BdRRer.