Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-03-10
htou Spectatos,
EEsDAY. MARCH 10, 1856.
HE COUNTY ROADS AGAIN.

HE COUNTY ROADS AGAIN.
hnot be supposed that the Board of
isors failed to consider properly, nor
scheme proposed by that body for
the county roads was submitted
due reflection as to the necessity OF
Oh movement. 1t is true in respec'
overnments, national, State, and
Ind the principle, too, holds in ali
Il enterprises, that the present ad-
ion must provide for the future
The Board, after thorough
.e Of the situation, proceeded to DC
abundant precedent in Legislation
ifor the benefit of Augusta coun-
yhen it can be demonstrated as finan-
question, that plan ample in provis-
can be carried for all purposes, county
district, without the slightest pressure
ere matter of details should be left to
ence and good judgment to direct
. k and not be allowed to hinder the
ect in view-the improvement of the
unity roads upon good and equitable ba-
).
Under such circumstances, the Board
,ceeded to outline plans for judicious
1 economical progress, poviding for all
gencies, present and prospective, with
t increasing taxation beyond the amount
READY approved by the people-indeed
alling below by one-fourth or more, in ex-
rcising the power already conferred.
An undue alarm has been sounded in ap-
yehension of burdensome taxation. A
view of the facts as they are, will dispel
at illusion, for it is but an imaginary
ing. OF the total sum Of one hundred
d fifty thousand dollars, it is we'll known
at the city of Staunton-already under
,nsiderable debt, much larger in proper
ton of aggregated values than any the
county will ever be called upon to bear
gas willing to pay thirty thousand dollars,
thus reducing the fund to be provided by
,unty to one hundred and twenty thou
dollars The further discussion of the
r will bring out information which
% summed up as follows
80 taxable values of Augusta county
Are over twelve million dollars. For road
purposes the following schedule of levies is
N existence:-For general road purposes,
,s6, 000 which is separate and distinct from
district levies. The district levies are
\ABeverly Manor 10, Riverheads 123. Mid
River 10, North River 12t, South River
ia Pastures 10 cents on the hundred
from a levy of Is cents on
ollars' value derived from
Il be $4,000 Eight cents
IN the hundred dollars value
.cient to carry loan of $780,.
per cent. and pay all interest and
pal in twenty-four years. This
,ss seven cents for the districts, to be ap
ed to the crossroads, to which should be
lded. in estimating resources for the dis
lets, largely increased details of labor re-
eyed of duty on the roads undergoing the
cAdamizing process. Experienced lnau
.ers in such matters believe that the re
urces thus accumulated by the districts
Ill be moro than sufficient to conduct q
stem of cross road improvements on q
CHER scale than the present. The eSti.
nate of fifteen cents is not considered eX-
essive, for Beverly Manor is now paying
t, and the other districts should be willing
% bear All equal proportion, especially
ks much of the present tax in that district
necessary to keep up avenues for the dis
lets outside of it.
u Should it be desirable not to commence
redemption of the principal until after the
expiration of the first ten years, then there
would accumulate surplus largely in ex
cess of the demands of the loan, which will
swell resou.ess for district purposes, and be
ample to commence an advance movement
in bringing up the crossroads to the class
adopted for the leading lines. Thus, it vii
be observed, that if the five districts nov
taxed under fifteen cents make the Sigh
Increase of % cents in two, and cents il
three, the Matchmaking of the main lines
will BE accomplished, and the state of TIL
cross roads set forward ard greatly I'M
proved over the present condition. Whils
the calculation is based upon giving the dis
tricts seven cents, it is maintained that Will
that amount and the resources of increased
labor already referred to, they will have g
noS 10 tax so highly, thirteen cents will bs
ample. The tSerms of redemption of princpa
come IN here for instance, cents tax will
pay interest and redeem it in twenty years
. will do the same in twenty four years, ant
seven seven VII Il. HGacor1plish it in fraction ove
thirty years. To this, can be added an
other consideration. The next assessment
in 1890, will increase taxable values, as i
did in 1885, consequently with more TO ia,
a less rate will obtain the same results Il
now.
Now, why should this exhibit alarm an,
person? The whole tax to be levied can b.
made less than three-fourths of that wIicl
. the present law authorizes and empower
I the Board of Supervisors to levy at discre
tio1. If twenty cents We not considered
too much in the present law, why should
fifteen or thirteen be considered ,nonstrous
when by it a splendid system of improve
ments extending all over the county, carry
ing it's benefits to every neighborhood
I'D result under new enterprise?
facts set forth are derived from actu
llation, which those who doubt cal
their own satisfaction. if they vii
about the present system a
sst the taxes levied under tkt
w: 1t is an annual exhibit of
LIZ of the money of the people, washef
way as fast as applied, with bad road
nearly all the time, and it cannot be helped
Apply judiciously the revenues availabi
und er some such plan as that recommend
ply the Board of Supervisors. and it will Civ
fhes people first-class roads, upon whic!
IL