Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-11

mended In Z report from co'uts
engineer: others. owing to imperfect con-
struction, are carried away BY fresnets.
and replaced every few years, becoming
continual source Of expense 70 .nS
people. 1t can be easily demonstrates
that at least half Of the annual exPepoi-
lures OF this State for bridges. which -
large, could be saved by the employment.
Of competent engineers to supefmten"
their construction. and that the saving III
this item alone would amount TO seVerai
hundreds of thousands OF dollars.
AS TO the money spent on roads proper
as far as the accomplishment OF any per-
manent good is concerned. II Is pracu-
calIy wasted. The first heavy rain' OWNS
TO the imperfect drainage OF our roaus;
completely demolishes the most careiu,
work Of the average road oversee., 's,- a
generally leaves the road in worse Gun.
ditIon than before the working, as part
OF the road-bed on all declivities IS car
rled off. and In the course OF a Few ye"s
II is so washed out as to necessl'aee
change OF bed, at a great cost ior '"oV'
and for land condemned.
with competent engineers 70 supersiso
This branch Of public work. the roaos ;
should continue to improve. insteao OF
hecoming worse every year; ana IN .ne
course OF time We might De ehap.eu ~
boast of road-system whicn "ouiu ''"
that OF any other State. -. ..,,
There IL not the slightest douoe "a'
desirable immigration to this Sta,e 70
riously retarded by the ban cohui.'o' "a
our roads, thus decreasing 'he
for. and consequently the Vslue oi' -,
ing lands. residents Of other States "i'iIe
-ecognizing the many advantages OF our
soil and climate. not caring 10 move nv ~
a locality 50 deficient in transporta'ion
facilities. ,,s,ah,e
These considerations lead to the 'ncVi'ap'e
ooro,,s,on that an engineering department
I'm our state government Is inaispeiisiD,, :,
TO the proper development OF our haeula ',1i,
resources and essential to an ecohoin'ea'
exnenditure of money on pubic worhs
and the sooner the people realize tha'
instead OF being an additional expense
such an organization would be a means
of the greatest economy, the pet'er io'
the public veal.
Virginia Is one of the few states Oh our
Union which has no engineering uepa', :,
ment. and 1t Is to be hoped that sfe VII,
soon follow The lead OF her sisters and
organize one on such a OASIS as "h' n'
sur, the selection OF competent men, anc
90 orronged as TO promote system ano
harmony in the prosecution OF puOh'
work. 4, N.
Another question OF importance IS th'
method of tnxation to be employed loi
ratsinv funds for this work. Cndoup'euS
a snacidc tax on property IL me sures
o,d most convenient way, ana the peopi'
could nav Il without feeling the puruen
and would pay 1t chserfully II they cou,s
see good effects result from the eApenu'
t,1re of their money. Also, II persons own
ing horses and vehicles were 'elu',eu
80, snecial tax on them Cor road pur
,,os,os they should not complain, as V
,,onov would be used solely Tor 'hel
benedt. and a larger fund coiid oe rdise'
/ by such tax. ,,r,,o,
/ poiio,ing this TO be the true soiutio'
| of the problem as TO ways anu h'e"''
! for improving and perfecting the roa'
| system of the State, the writer mas ~ 81
! induced to submit the following plan io
/ framing a road law; 100,
| 1 TO create the Office or Stlue sns'
neer. with salary OF 5000, paid py III
State, all travelling expenses paiu' wnoS
duties shall be to take cnarge Oh az
/ public work of the State, ana 10 repo'
| annually TO the Governor.
TO create the office Of assistant engl
neer. one to be appointed for each .sena
,ortal district upon the recommendation
NJ the State engineer and the approva
of the Governor; salary to be sl,2UV, pan
bv the counties of his district pro rata
and travelling expenses TO and from IN
! canital once a year to be paid by TN
I State: his duties TO be 70 superintend Tn
Improvement and building or count.
roads and bridges, make estimates 10
| same. and attend to all other matters re
| latiye To his office which may be referre'
To him By the Board Of Supervisors o
the counties of his district; to repor
annually, at least, TO the state engineer
8. To provide a road superintendent 10
each magisterial district, whose duty sfla
be TO superintend. under the direction
of the assistant engineer, all work o.
public roads, TO be paid 81. per day
and report to the assistant engineer a
! all times.
4. To provide for n specific tax on rea
and personal property, to be levied b.
each county for road purposes, not L
exceed 90 cents on 500, the fund so raise
to be expended upon estimates made b,
| the assistant engineer. and all bills 70
expenditure upon public roads. bridges
or buildings of any kind. to be approve'
| by the assistant engineer before beini
submitted 10 the Board Of Supervisors
| and all estimates OF the assistant engi
neer to be submitted to the Board o
Supervisors for approval. Also TO pro
vide special tax on horses and We
hices, the proceeds to be added to tn
general road-fund.
5. To provide for the employment o
convicts on the public roads In such man
ner as to make their labor available.
c. Il. FRENCH.