The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-09-29
BETTER ROADS WAN TED.

accommodations Made by Road
Commissioner Bourquin to the Con-
gress.
The agitation Of the road question seems to
be general throughout this state and Ala
hama. In every direction the necessity of
improving the highways of travel is receiv-
iug attention, aud an organized effort in
every direction is advocated for the purpose
of obtaining such legislation as will enable
road commissioners to put the public roads
in better condition.
The Georgia road congress, which was 10
session in Atlanta IN May OF last year,
drafted memorial to the legislature ask
ing that an act be passed to provide for a
superintendent Of roads for each county in
the state to lay off the public roads in sec
tons, and either let them out by contract
or employ overseers under whom the roads
should be worked; to provide for strin-
gent rules to compel the road work.
ers to perform the labor assessed
upon them or pay its equivalent in money; ;
to provide for tax upon property as addi-
tional means of furnishing road to Dis, grad
ing and aiding labor in keeping the public
roads in order. leaving the road authorities
of each county to determine the amount
and character Of work to be done within it,
and that as soon as consistent with tho good
victs be put upon the public roads.
One Of the communications addressed to
the Georgia road congress which attracted
great deal of attention was from GugIe
Bourquin, chairman of the road commits
sioners of Chatham county. He urged the
congress to use its influence to bring about
a better system of public roads and made
the following recommendations;
To declare the present public roads of
GeOrQia q disQraca to the state
That convicts should be used in giving US
good roads in preference TO any other public
work that they can be put to-
That road commissioners should be re-
quired to be present when their roads are
to be worked. and not leave this important
work to overseers.
That roads should be worked at all times
when necessary, and not according to the
old custom, at certain seasons of the year.
That the law should provide that de-
faulters be turned over to the chain gang
instead of being sent to jail
That all toll roads and bridges be abol-
ished.
That in the use of the roads, every one
should keep to the right of the road, and
anyone obstructing the passage way and
refuses to move when given notice, should
be fined and imprisoned.
That cattle aud stock should not be allowed
to run at large over roads, 80 as to fill up
drains made by public hands
1t is expected that that the Georgia road
congress will be called together shortly
after the legislature convenes. AS
President Ncrthen will then be gov
ernor of the state, it Is not
likely he will continue in the presidency
OF the road congress, and many of the mem
bers of the next legislature who are dele
gates to the road congress will use their
influence to bring about some legislation
that will enable road commissioners to keep
the reads of the state in better condition
than at present.
Maj. Il. P. Smart of this city, and vice
president of the road congress, representing
the First district, is mentioned as successor
to President Northen. He is heartily in
accord with the movement to provide a
better system for the betterment of the
county roads, and was a member of toe
COMMITTEES that memorialized the last legis-
lature for legislation on the subject.