Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-10-19
NOW F0RGO ROADS
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAoE)

CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE)
the Valley, NJ. Erskine Miller; from APP
palachia. II. A. ellis. Secretary. r. A.
Dunlop: assistant secretaries, representa-
tives Of the press
CHAIRMAN CORBIN'S ADDRESS.
Mr. Corbin. upon taking the chair. said
this was an unexpected honor that the
body had thrust upon him. He regarded
this as the most Important convention
ever assembled in Virginia. lie was sure
the deliberations OF no other body could
result In more advantages 10 the people
Of the State than this. Mr.. Corbin said
while he was present not only as the
representative OF his district. but OF the
state Board OF Agriculture. he however.
had prepared a paper which expressed
his own views, not those of the Board
OF Agriculture. which he would read at
this Juncture. Mr. Corbin said:
Gentlemen of the Good-Roads Conven-
ton For the attainment Of good roads in
virginia the first question TO be consld-
cred Ia the all-important one OF ways
and means. II takes large expenditure
OF force TO make a good road. and II re-
CURES money to command the requisite
labor necessary to accomplish the end.
This money can only be obtained by
taxation. All taxation Is obnoxious. ana
especially unpopular are new and in
creased taxes. None will be voted 10
build good roads unless the people are
convinced that great benefits will accrue
20 them as a recompense. and that the
tax IL an equitable and fair one. To
secure the sanction Of the taxpayer edu-
cation Is n prerequisite.
SUBJECT MUST BE AGITATED.
"'The subject must be continuously agi-
tated. and the people instructed as to the
large benefits attaching TO every locality
where good roads obtain. In regard to
the equity OF the tax. assurance must be
made that every dollar OF the assessment
levied will be expended in the locality
wherein tho tax Is collected One hundred
dollars will build five times as much good
road in the Ti1ewater section OF the state
as IL will I'm Piedmont Virginia.
THE Legislature should pass general
road law. authorizing a vote TO be polled
IN each county In the state upon the APP
plicatiOn for the same Of 100 voters twho
shall be frechol1ersl I'm the county. Inc
vote shall be- for or against the Issue or
bonds by authority OF the county ohich.s'
which bonds shall not mature for thirty
wears and bear per cent interest. pay
able scmi-annually the bonds at hrst SAFE
not TO DE disposed of below par value
and the money SO obtained 10 be sacreHiy
used in maintaining the roads IN me
county 10 be constructed by and at the
expense OF the State.
THE STATE BUILD THEM.
"The law should provide that When
county VIII pledge TO maintain In gooH ana
thorourh order the roads constructed ny
the STATE within the limits Of the county
for = spocifi4d number Of years that the
STATE Will then undertake 10 construct
one or more thoroughfares ana highways
through the borders Of the county 20 con-
tracing. The work 10 be done under the
survey and supervision ana control or
competeut Stat engineer. who is 10 be as
sisted AZ a fair rate Of compensation by
the graduates Of the Virginia Military
Institute who have received benefits at
that institution as State cadets. one
wears service AS such assistant engineer
10 cancel the obligation now attaching to
each state cadet TO teach two years.
AN convicts of the state that can
in any manner b. made available in any
capacity whatever should be employed on
this work The lea seems to prevail
that as soon as n sheriff delivers n con-
wet at the peuitentiary he must he made
self-supportirg his punishment is a So
c,nia-v consideration. Convicts should
never be employed at work mat completes
with honest, corporate. or individual on
tcrprise or labor. The systcm that pre-
walls now of hiring COnVcts Of both sexes
70 contractors at a cost 20 them or Tar
less than they would hive to pay
for fl0e labor to perform Ike service Is
hal.ful ana pernicjous. II is conceded
nat The penitcntiary under this policy
il eolf.surportiDg. but 10 q large per cent.
az the convicts the confinement is the
ouly enlistment or hardship attaching
"a heir condition. They ar az well fed.
clad. doctorcd. and euardci ut the cX-
ranSa oe the State.
..,.,.r,
'lN - Az A'N An A0'r"
''e ,o'l', 'y,g ,,.i, ''''' t,or, ,'.han
ever he secs tit. is enabled 10 turn out
product which b. can place upon the
market am Oppose Of at profit that
win defy competition at the hands Of MS
brother manufacturers who employ free
labor.
The knowledge gained bv the convict
under this system during his incarcera-
ton is Of absolutely no value e. him
when he gains his freedom unless he
,..ain becomes mart and rqrccl Of the ma
chine which. like himself, can do only
one thing For years past | have been
60 strong advocate for the abolition al
statutory labor. the supreme Court ~
the stat" no" suStdlns this opinion, and
such lau'r VIII not hereafter De aVaiianle'
'lthrr ln constructing or IN maintaining
good roads.
history teaches mat tho best ana most
permanent roads constructed AL over the
world have been built BY convict labor.
, i'"I i"u"i ~ VIC con, 'c's on inc puo-
a..o,,,,,,,isb o,,,,,oci,l.ia ,s,,c. 49, o.,
SAT- i'm both GOOD ,arrr,ne,, ht,L,,,,.s
ANA in the certain ci,rtoiIrnenr and ,.,,i..-
ton Of the numbers now entertained NJ
the white house" than ~ a contiru-
ance II Tho policy now pursued
,,,,.,,,
I'''''TA-> i'-l iO'r IA-\-
"A further provision Of the law proposed
should grant power 10 the counties to levy
a whoel-aud-hoor tax upou all roads thav
construct or maintain. and a most enii-
table featur, Of Inc new. law wo,,lJ ne "a