The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1879-01-30
Harwell's Road Bill.

Mr.. EDIToR:-I am informed
through a private source that there
is much talk in rural circles about q
bill which has been prepared and
introduced by myself "to improve
the public road law"
This is a subject to which 1 have
given much attention and l have
prepared the bill with especial ref
erence to the interests of the farmers
of the State, no matter how humble
their conditions, and the land own
ers. In preparing the bill have
not been unmin6ful of the fact that
| am not an inconsiderable land
owner myself. Had l been so,
should have proved an exception to
the theory "that men legislate in
accordance with their own inter
ests," and should have gone back
on a class with which l have been
identified in interest and associa-
ton all my life, and amongst whom
L am proud TO number some of the
best friends l have in the world.
The condition of the public roads
throughout the State is a reproach
to it and proves the inadequacy OF
the present law, and every man in
Giles county knows that our roads
have grown from bad to worse,
until now there is a general and
pressing demand for a more efficient
law. In my bill, to meet the de-
mand, and secure an equalization
of the burden of keeping up the
public roads, and to throw about
the bill such machinery as will Sc
cure its faithful execution, l pro-
posed, amongst other things, a tax
of so cents on the $1,000 worth of
taxable property, not on land alone,
and l trust, sir, the bill will become
u law. However, for the comfort of
certain parties in your vicinity, let
me say that there is a number of
bills in the hands of the committee
proposing to tax, and not one pro
posing a tax as low as mine. The
committee has submitted the bills to
a sub. com. to prepare a bill to be
offered in lea, of which the chair
man offered a bill levying a tax
three times as large as my own.
My own farm lies along a public
road that travel almost daily, the
law does not require me to strike
blow or to contribute one cent to-
wards keeping it in good condition,
whilst there is not a tenant on said
farm, no matter how poor ne is, 80
he is within the prescribed ages,
who is not forced to work or pay a
fine whenever the overseer demands
it. This burden should be equal
Ized, and a tax is needed tor this
purpose, to secure the faithful exc
5ution of the law, to procure tools,
and the improvement of such por-
ions Of the public roads as over
jeers, with such tools as they have,
,annot possibly do. The proposed |
AK is to be levied on all taxable |
)r operty, to remain in the hands of |
he trustee a separate fund for the |
of the public roads,
nd to be apportioned to the several
districts according to the taxable
within their limits. This
AK does not extend to polls because
heir muscles are taxed, and all land
wners before the war paid higher
AK than is now proposed, .. e., their
laves were required to work, and
hey were fined if they did not send
hem. The farmers will pay this
mall tax cheerfully, for they know
nat good roads will facilitate travel, {
heapen the transportation of their
to the centers of trade, de- I
OTIS, etc, and will increase the val ]
e of their land, and thus in the :
nd prove to be no inconsiderable
lvIng. L hope the leading features b
f the bill will be preserved and be-
ONE law. The citizen of Giles
no does not desire better roads is
OF abreast with the popular de s
Iand in the rural districts, is with
ut public spirit, unprogressive and
q unsafe guide in directing public
ointment. And fthe rattle of era
= vehicles on rough roads, and the
harmonious thud OF the patient
,adster throwing rock and mud,
rikes no discordant note for his {
If, he has no music in his soul.
Pardon the length of this letter, {
ut it is written in the interest of
Idustrial progress.
Respectfully, T. b. HARwELL. S