Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-11

MS New Jersey Road Association saw
that TO have good leading roads ii was
necessary 10 take tho control from local
authority. and this was the uppermost
thought In the minds OF the Executive
Committee Of that association. They are
mostly farmers, ana are practical men.
They rad experienced the benefit of good
local roads in the improved roads of the
more enterprisng townships. and they
also saw the disadvantage of the patch
work "iused by one township improving
and another not doing anything. This
difficulty confronted thcm-the passing Of
q general law which would break up an
old established custom. founded on local
self government. II was the same with
counties as with townships: some were
progressive others were not. II seemed
necessary. under these conditions. TO have
county action in a measure subject 10
State supervision. Another difficulty was
to get the county authorities TO act under
the law.
REQUIRES MUCH MONEY.
"To build roads which the law required
to be smooth. hard. and compact at all
seasons Of the year would require large
sums Of money. ard consequently higher
taxes. The benefit OF improved roads
could not be shown 10 many taxpayers
unul after the roads had been con-
structed and brought into use.
1T was a delicate matter for this com
mittte 10 construct a law which would
meet the views OF the gislatcrs. who
knew well the prejudiCes OF their con-
stituents i'm reference 10 oVerturning their
ideas Of local sslf-government in regard
TO road matters, and the certainty Of
immediate Increase Of taXes. But the
matter has been accomplished. The state
aid law first framed was passed in 1891,
Ii has been amended at each icceednS
Legislature. until IT Is now practical and
popular: many of the amendments simply
matters Of detail, found necessary in
pr. tical working under the law. The
principal changes were to raise the ap-
p~oprlation from S2O.D00 to 10000. The
former was at first thought sufficient 10
start with. The first law placed the SUI
perVision on the part Of the state with
the President Of the State Board Of
Agriculture, without pay. An office has
now been created and called the Com
missioner OF state Roads. said commits
sionei being paid out OF the State appro-
priatiOn.
THE NEW LAW.
THE first section authorizes the coun-
" board of chosen free-hOlders. which
is composed OF one person elected from
each township in the county. 10 declare
such leading public roads as they may
deem proper county roads; TO cause such
roads to be surveyed. and "A plan or map
made of them showing length, width,
grades. etc They can then proceed to
construct them of stone. gravel. oyster
shells, or any other suitable material.
which will make them hard and smooth
at all seasons of the year. 1t provides
for the appointment of an engineer, who
shall make plans and specifications,
showing cuts. fills etc, with an estimate
of the cost, the work 10 be put out at
contract to the lowest bidder
THE cost of the Improvements. when
finished. q be paid for as follows-viZ.
one third from the State appropriation
10 per cent. by the abuttinG property-own-
ers. and the balance by the county; pro-
vided that the cost in any one year on
the part Of the county shall not exceed
one fourth of per centum Of the valuables
Of the county, together with the esti-
mated cost of repairs for that year. The
State Commissioner must approve Of the
Specifications before any contract can be
entered into. He must also apportiOn
the amount Appropriated by the State
among the several counties constructing
roads as equally as practicable. and not
approve Of more roads In any county than
their share OF the appropriation will pay
for in any one year. The Commissioner
also has the right TO withhold the appro-
priation in case the work is not done in
accordance with the specifications and
contract
"None of the county authorities acted
under this part of the law.
THE MANDATORY CLAUSE.
"The work thus far done is '@r the
mandatory clause which is ghth
section of the amended act. Th.s section
provides. that:
Whenever the county authorities neg
lect or refuse to declare certain roads
roads. or improve the same, then
the owners Of two thirds of the lineal
feet fronting on the road proposed TO
be improved snail petition the county
authorities to improve the same, and
agreeing TO pay 10 per cent. OF the whole
cost OF the same in proportion TO the
peculiar benefits conferred, the county
authorities shall. with as little delay as
possible. proceed to improve the same.
Mr.. Harrison explained the objections
raised at first by the people. and their
anxiety after the work had been com
menced TO get the roads built.
MIR Harrison concluded with state
rnent of the operation Of the law and the
benefits derived from the improved high
ravs He was asked by Mr.. Portlock,
n Norfolk, If he thought oyster-sheH
roads were practical and substantial,
and replied that the original law OF New
Jersey only provided for stone ROADS
hut last winter the law had been 50
amended that both shells ana gTaVel couid
hn used This was done to met the diff
iculty that in some parts OF 'he ota'e
!, was found too expensive 10 use stone
,r account of cost of transportation
md tbev had gravel and shells. As an
.npineer ne cOuld not recommend elther
II s,one could be had at reasonable price
az such roads wore out 50 soon II maue
Ihem EXPENSIVE to keep in repair.
ROADS ON EXHIBITION.
NJ Harrison asked the delegates pre-
,en, IN attend the National Road Par
imcnt. to be held at Atlanta, l'th' lsth,
,nd 1eth Of this month. He SAID ne hdd
,aen there at the request or Geheral
stone Of the Road Bureau OF the Aerl-
,ulture Department. and had constructed
.avcraI roads for a government eNhiot'
rhe roads were made one OF stone, one
# sand. and the other common art
-oad These roads were given dlnerent
rad from ieVel to two. four, SIX eight,
and ten feet rise. 10 100 ieet. l-odueu
cams would be drawn over each OF these
.oods with grades as stated. and FRO
.eesor Carson. Of Washington. ID. c,
,or tho government, by use of dyna-
nom ter. giving the power required to
,aovs a loaded wagon of from one 10
light tons in given time over these
.oads This would be- practical test.
MUST HAVE LEGISLATION.
Major James II. Dooley. at the coneiu-
.lon OF Mr. Hairison's excellent address
ala that IL must be evident that the
,ottom and foundation 10 have good roads
n this State must be In the having OF