Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-07-28
HOW TO BUILD GOOD ROADS.
State Legislatures should Devise Means
for Raising Necessary Funds


State Legislatures should Devise Means
for Raising Necessary Funds.
Hon. Thomas W. Mabrey. member OF
the Missouri legislature from Ripley
county and editor OF the Doniphan
Prospect-News, suggests that in the
midst of the discussion of good roads
somebody should say how they should
be built; that under the existing provi-
sions of the state constitution county
courts are so restricted in their tax
levies that barely sufficient revenues
can now be raised for the economical
administration of county affairs, AID
that in consequence any additional sum
of money for road purposes cannot be
raised by general taxation until an
amendment to the constitution shall be
adopted authorizing an increase in the
levy. And Mr.. Mabrey declares himself
in favor of the immediate submission of
such an amendment. to the end that the
people may have an opportunity to build
the good country roads which they are
so DESTROYS of having. The constitution
now limits the rate of taxation for
county purposes to the actual income
and revenue of the year, based upon the
previous year 5 assessment. and although
provision is made for an increased
revenue by a vote of the people the
limitation as to indebtedness still re-
mains. Mr.. Mabrey is right Good
roads cannot be built without money,
and very little money can be raised I'M
til the powers of county courts are ex-
tended.
A recent legislature undertook to OBJ
viate this difficulty by enacting that
whenever the citizens of any county in
this state. living along the line Of any
public road, shall subscribe any sum not
less than fifty dollars per mile or more
of such road. and shall deposit the same
with the county treasurer of the county,
it shall be the duty of the county court
to subscribe and pay out of the general
funds of the county like amount, not
to exceed $500 per mile. for the same
purpose, provided no county shall con-
tract a debt or obligation in excess of
the tax levy authorized by the constitu-
ton But it is declared that very
large proportion Of the Missouri coun-
ties have long since reached the consti-
tutional limit of taxation, and hence
cannot avail themselves of the statutory
provision.
Mr.. E. c. Simmons, of St. Louis, re-
Gently said: ITO have prosperity we
must have good roads, and the work
must be taken up by the state. The
state should, in my judgment, make so
many miles of good roads in each coun-
ty on condition that the counties make
a relative amount" Here, again, the
restrictions of the constitution interpose,
for the tax levy for state purposes is
limited, by reason of an excess of valu-
alton over 5000. 900 600, to fifteen cents
on the 500, and the revenue from this
rate, even with the most economical adj
ministration of affairs, will hardly suf
fee for present constitutional require
ments.
OF course it must be admitted at the
outset that any ordinary movement to
extend the limitations upon taxation is
fraught with an element of danger. But
here is condition which appeals to
the foundation interests of all COM
merce, all trade, all civilization. If the
merchant and the farmer can have good
roads throughout the year their revenues
will be largely increased and the pros
perity will be more general and continu-
GUS. But it requires money to construct
such highways and keep them in repair,
and the money cannot be had until the
constitution is amended.
The question therefore resolves into
this; Are the people sufficiently inter
ested in good roads to demand an amend
ment to the constitution allowing them
selves to be taxed by state and county
for road purposes?