The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1894-06-13
THAT ROAD LAW.
ONE OF THE GRAND JURY's RECON-
MENDATIONS
That Does Not Meet With the Approval of
the People, What the Law Is--Win
It Be Enforced?

It Re Enforced?
So far as The News can learn the
rec ommendation Of the grand jury that
the new road law be put in operation in
Terrell county does not meet with the
approval of a majority of the people.
The main objection to TIE law is that
feature of it which provides for a tax on
property for road purposes. AS high as
$500 on the 81 900 can be levied and col
lected.
1t is the general opinion that the peo-
pie of the county are now paying as
much tax IS they can we'll stand, and
that is not good idea to increase the
burden at this ime.
For the benefit of the public THE
NEWS prints synopsis of the law:
The first section gives the county COM
missioners full charge over the public
roads of the county, with authority to
appoint superintendent of public roads
and necessary overseers, and to fix their
terms of Office and salaries.
The second section provides that each
person subject to road duty shall work
upon the roads such length OF time as
the commissioners may require, provided
it does not exceed ten days during the
year. Instead of working the roads,
however, computation tax of not over
so cents day may be paid.
The third section says the commission
ers shall levy tax of not more than So
on the 81 900 on all taxable property in
the county, which fund, together with
the commuation tax, shall constitute a
road fund to be used for paying salaries
and wages and working and improving
the highways.
The commissioners are empowered to
work the roads by the following methods:
1st. They may work chaingang to
consist of the misdemeanor convicts of
this or any other county that may be
obtained without cost or hire. Those
who not pay Communication tax shall be
worked, but not wi h the convicts.
End. They may have the roads worked
by contract with private parties, compa-
MES or corporations, provided that if
work is done by contract the contractors
shall employ the changing, if one is
established, and the labor of those who
do not pay the Communication tax, and pay
for the same,
3rd. The commissioners may employ
or combine any of the above mentioned
three methods, or may use any other
system that may be necessary for keep
ing the roads in good condition.
Residents of incorporated cities and
towns are exempt from all parts of the
law except the payment of the tax on
property.
This is now the road law in Terrell
county, as the accommodation of the
grand jury was all that was necessary to
put it in force.
The county commissioners, at their
meeting few days ago, discussed the
matter, but reached no decision as to
what they would do. They will take up
further consideration of it at their meet.
ing in July. and will probably then reach
some conclusion concerning the problem
that confronts them. 0al%
There is already much talk of having
the next grand jury recommend that the
commissioners continue the working OF
the roads IN the old way for the present
In the meantime the new law is in effect,
and if tho roads are worked it will have
to be done under some of the provisions
mentioned above.
After giving the law trial the people
may be better satisfied with it.