The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-01-30

To TIE EDIToR-Sir: Permitme. through
your valuable columns, to call the atten-
ton of our Indiana solons, now in ses-
sion IN your city, and especially the atten-
ton OF Dayiess county representatives in
the respective branches OF the general as
sembly, 10 the need of better roads in this
part OF the state. \ few miles travel on
any OF the roads, during the past week,
would, or ought 20 stimulate the most in
different to the need Of improvements
most crying need. On this Sabbath morn
ing, instead OF going to church, have re-
NAMED at home for two reasOns-(ll be-
cause of the bad roads, and (2) for the
purpose, in this way, Of suggesting to our
legislature a simple prescription.
From time to time we have had enacted
numerous grave" road laws, and since
1877. il not longer, we have had free
turnpike road" law. To improve roads
under these laws is, or at least in this part
OF the state is thought to be, too onerous
on the adjacent land owners. No i'm
provement OF roads can be made that does
not distribute its beneficial. effects beyond
the tWO-mile assessment range. Then
why not enlarge the territory required 10
pay tribute Ii has always seemed to the
writer that a portion OF the cost OF making
such Improvements should be extended
over the entire country. To do this may,
of course, require some persons to pay
more than they get back IN the way OF
direct benefits. The statuaTv plan, as
heretofore carried out, requires those own
ing lands within the two-mile ranges to
paw for roads that benefit those living be-
yOnd that range.
It strikes me that an easyand OpDOrtune
thing for the legislature to do would be 10
so amend such of the sections of the free
turnpike act" OF March, 1887, a. will
accomplish the purpose or pass
short act supplemental thereto, pro-
viding that the expense Of making the
improvement authorized under the law
be borne as follows, TO wit: The one half
by assessment on the lands within two
miles as now provided; part OF the other
half by the township or townships
mostly benefited and the balance by
the county, the last half TO be appOr-
toned between township cor townships
and county, as may in the judgment of
the viewers appointed to assess damages
and appOrtiOn cases seem mete and equit-
able.
1t may be. in counties where roads have
already been built TO any considerable ex-
tent that such amendments or supple
mental act would operate unfairly IN re-
curing those who have already borne the
whole burden BIZ assessments under the
two-mile limit. OF paying Tor roads within
their own neighbOrh0Ods, TO contribute by
township or county tax to building the
roads for those who did not help them.
Ii, on that account, the law, such as sug-
gested, be Objectionable to those who have
already paid Tor their roads, let it be pro-
Vided that the law shall not apply to
counties where such roads have heretofore
been built. Surely, in counties where no
such roads have been built, citizens in re-
mote parts of the county could not well
object 10 the mite required OF them, in
view of the fact that. by like proceeding in
the future, they could call for return of
their money 10 assist in building roads for
themselves. To assess only one half of
the cost instead OF all on the lands within
two miles would have a tendency to
stimulate efforts at road improvement.
When q portion OF the citizens of a county
succeed In getting good roads, partly at
the expense OF others, the others would
be tempted to 90 and do likewise. In
This county, and in the adjoining counties
where the writer is acquainted, fully one
half OF the road-tax levied and collected is
worse than thrown away. In majority
of the townships it always will be thrown
away, until by legislation provision is
made for some new method of collecting
handling and eXpendng the road funds.
And right here let me remark parenthetic-
ally: Nothing in the state, unless it be
our election laws, needs reformation so
badly as the law governing the powers
and duties OF township trustees. Safe
guards to secure the proper use and
honest accounting for the funds of which
the trustees are made custodians should
not be neglected The idea Of giving
power in these degenerate days to officials
TO handle, control add expend money, and
keep their own accounts, without whole
some checks and balances, Is an evidence
OF a degree OF faith IN the honesty OF poor,
weak humanity that does great credit to
the goodness OF heart of him who has the
faith, but oh what a commentary on his
Judgment, and what an advertisement OF
bis want OF knowledge of the conduct and
actions OF men. But, Mr.. Editor, am
switched of. Let me switch back.
/ started ont 10 suggest an amendment
Of. or supplement 10, the act of March,
1877. 4 supplement would be the better
way, think. One, simple and short,
which any fair lawyer who has before him
the statute of 1877 can in a very few words
easily draw.
Hoping that some public-spirited Sena-
tor or Representative II use a big 5 and
r. viii introduce and press to final action
come amendments to our road laws that
will open an easy way to better roads, al
low me to subscribe myself for progress
and REFORM.
Daviess County, Jan. 20.
TApFEE n Hrs