The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-09-29
The Hard Road Law.

| Auo Nohu
The most important addition to the road
law enacted by the present legislature Is
that portion that authorizes the construc-
ton and maintenance OF gravel, rock, mac.
adam or other hard roads Whether in de.
tail, the new law Is just what II should be
must remain to be tested by practical ex.
pertinent, but that 1t aims at the solution
OF veXed question IN connection with the
construction of permanent roads Is certain
ly proper conclusion to draw from its
terms. Any person who remembers the
condition OF the streets Of Earlville twenty
years ago, and compares it with that Of to.
day, and notes the improvements which
have resulted from free use OF gravel,
must conclude that any law which looks
to ultimate improvement of the principal
country highways by similar means can
only result IN great benefits to real estate
and to the permanent values OF the same
as well as the convenience OF the public.
A fair idea of the prosperity and thrift of
any city, town or community may be de-
termined generally from the character of
the streets and roads. Settlers upon level
ground such as surrounds Earlvile have
had much to contend against, and but little
assistance from nature in the construction
and drainage of public highways, and no
amount OF work or expense will ever make
good roads without the use of material of
a permanent character. The "hard road"
law, as 1t Is called, makes provision that
upon petition Of fifty land owners who
are legal voters Of the township being
presented to the town clerk in counties
under township organization, he shall,
when giving notice of the time and place
OF holding the next annual town meeting:
also give notice that a vote will be taken
for or against levylng tax not to exceed
one dollar on each one hundred dollars as
sessed valuation of all property for the
purpose Of construction and maintaining
gravel, rock, macadam or other hard roads.
The petition shall state the location and
route of the proposed road or roads, not
exceeding two IN any year, and shall also
state the rate per cent, which shall not
exceed the Limitation above noted, and the
number of years not exceeding five for
which the tax shall be levied. The ballots
shall read For" or Against special tax
for gravel, rock, macadam or other hard
roads" Should majority favor the pro.
posed improvement, the commissioners OF
highways shall proceed to levy tax in
accordance with the vote, and they may
also receive donations IN money, labor,
materials or other valuable thing 10 aid IN
construction. 1t is made the duty of the
county clerk to extend such special tax
against all property owners names, and
when it is collected 1t shall be known as
the permanent road fund. The treasurer
OF the commissioners of highways shall
execute an additional bond in double the
amount of such fund that will probably
come into his hands. The commissioners
have power to employ competent engl-
neer with necessary assistants to survey,
plan and make specifications and estimates
OF the work which the commissioners shall
divide into convenient sections, also to be
numbered by them They shall then ad.
vertse for sealed bids by publishing or
posting notices describing the work to be
done. The plans and specifications shall
provide for the grading and constructing
OF road.bed of not less than twenty feet
IN width on the surface, ana so constructed
rs to drain freely to the sides, and with all
necessary side and lateral bitches, tile
drains, bridges and culverts, and track
laid with gravel, rock, macadam or other
hard and durable substance, not less than
seven no more than sixteen feet in width,
and ii constructed OF gravel or broken
stone, not less than ten inches thick in the
center and eight inches thick on the edges
This last provision Of the law Is directory
only, and allows the commissioners to
make roads of different width or thickness
in their discretion. The commissioners
shall meet and open the bids and let the
contracts to the lowest responsible bidders
for the various portions of the work, and
shall require them to give bond with sutti.
cient security tor the faithful performance
OF the work. No commissioner shall be
interested either directly or indirectly in |
any contract relating to road. They
may reject any and all bids. They shall
also cause the surveyor to certify to
estimates OF the work done every thirty
days, and shall issue orders and pay upon
the estimates of the surveyor, rescrving 90
per cent. OF each estimate as guarantee !
fund for the completion of the contract |
The commissioners shall keep full and |
complete records of all proceedings, and |
file with the town clerk all records, plans, !
estimates, specifications and contracts, ana |
shall make a full report and settle with the !
board Of town auditors at all regular meet |
ngs; failing in this suit may be instituted |
against them by the supervisor in the cor |
porate name of the township. 1t is also |
discretionary with the commissioners, |
where hard materials cannot be obtained |
at cost within their mean, they may
cause roads To be constructed wholly OF |
earth, with tile or other drainage. For |
the purposes enumerated in this act, the
commissioners may enter upon the lands !
Of others, doing no more damage than the |
necessities OF the case may require, ard |
take thereirom such material rs IS neces- |
sary tor the construction and repairing of /
roads, conditioned that they shall first ten. ,
der the amount of damage allowed or
agreed upon. Where the damage cannot
be asCcrtalned and agreed upon by the
owners and the commissioners, then the |
right OF eminent domain may be exercised |
and the lands or materials condemned for |
use under the terms of this ACT. COMMITS. |
Sloners shall be paid TO services under /
this act as for service under the common |
road law, and the surveyor or engineer
shall receive compensation not to exceed |
that Of the county surveyor watch is six
dollars per day, and assistants shall be EN-
ployed at wages agreed upon. All roads |
constructed unCer this act shall be free for |
IL Ia i 81