Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-01-21
County Items.

What seems to be agitating the minds oi
the people OF the county most at this time
ia how to improve the county roads. About
two years ago the county purchased three
road machines These were used in piliDg
up the dirt in the middle of the road. This
does very well for summer travel, but when
winter comes on il only increases the depth
OF mud. The people are seeing the aecessi-
ty OF making improvements upon roads
with broken store AID gravel. They haYe
petiticned the Board Of Supervisors TO that
effect, and the board has instructed the road
overseers to purchase hammers for the pur
pose of breaking stone and to make all re-
pairs with gravel and broken stone. The
road fund is created By a tsx Of 10 cents on
the 500 worth OF property and two days
work from every male citizen between the
ages of Is and GO years, or in the place of
two days work $3.50 Gne. The law requires
that the road survey summon every person
liable to work, sn6 if be fails, then 10 put sn
execution In the hands of he constable or
sheriff for the collection of such fac and
cost. A failure Of the road survey to issue
such execution renders him liable 10 ind!ct-
ment. Should there be sn extra session of
the legislature it is probsble that an amend
ment to the road law will be asked allowing
the Board of Supervisors TO increase tee
road tax, ns the county ia out of debt and
the county tax can be lowered.
The purchase of land in the county still
continues by persons living il Washington,
and those coming on from distance desi-
rous of living near Washington. The most
favored spots in the Geunty seem to be Ar
iington, Carlin's Springs, and Balls cross
roads, the latter place being now known un-
der the more euphcnious nsme of Balston.
Several new buildings have been built with
in the last year, and several more are going
up ct these places.
Tho Law passed by The legislature few
years ago requiring 81 land to be sold after
beirg two years delinquent for State and
county taxes, has had beneficial effect up.
on the finances OF the county. Many per-
sons living away but holding land in the
county for speculation, have heretofore
greatly neglected the payment OF their tax
es, but now they have to come in and settle
at least every two years or their land will
be sold By the county treasurer.
Judge Chichester at the last term of court
made ruling that hereafter jurors who did
not put in on appearance at 10 o'clock, thus
requiring others to be called In their places,
would lose their pay and mileage, and those
who fail to attend in obedience to their
summons. would be brought in under rule
to show cause why they had failed SO to do.
1t is understood that there will be meet.
ing of the citizens of Alexandria county at
Walker schoolhouse on Saturday evening,
the 9th day of February, for the purpose of
organizing County Improvement Associ-
ation." A permanent organization Will be
effected and committees appointed to look
after the differei9t interests Of the county
and to foster public improvement in the
county generally. This kind of an asaocia-
ton has been for long time talked of, and
the ctizeus have at last agreed TO organize.
a large attendance is anticipated.