Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-11-03

VINO pay comparatively a very small
amount OF taxes as much Interested 1T
good roads as the land-holier. and often
sore so? In this county Pittsyiyanla'
tenanted lands are rented for one fourth
OF the crop, and 1t is di.cult for the
landlord to collect even all that. while
the tenant gets three fourths certain
and has the opportunity OF securing
more than that. The tenant. therefore
who pays only n small amount OF the
taxes. has for more use for good roads
than the landlord. who pays nearly all
the taxes. Besides, tenants ana laDorers'
who pay so small proportion OF the
taxes. receive the full benefit of public
free schools-the tax for the support OF
which IL 10 per cent. on the 800 worth
Of property by the State; and In this
county is also 10 per cent on the 500
by the county, and the same by each OF
its school districts, making I'm all 80 cents
on the 500 FOR the support OF free schools,
paid almost exclusively by the land
holder What then could be more equita-
bic than TO require all able-bodled men,
between I'd and ~ years Of age 10 work
two days in the year on the public roads
I'm psymenC Of their proportional part
the taxes for roads. or pay the fine or 20
cents a day for exemption. BESIDES, toaIS
often require very little work TO Keep
them In proper order, If the work be done
in proper time. In no case does the
adage more aptly apply tina "A stitcn
I'm time saves nine" than IL does TO this.
But 10 effect this saving in regard to
mbllc roads requires the constant
supervision Of the convenient precinct
road overseer. This cannot be done under
the contract system. for the contractor
can only work a road at distant intervals
Of time. and after one working, before
he can get around % II again, IL often
becomes imuassable from falling trees
or washing rains
WORK WELL DONE.
We have had some OF the leading roads
In this county worked by a contractor
with a siN-horse scraper. The work
was well done. but IL took him several
weeks If not months. 20 go over tn
whole OF one leading road. the rest 81
this road and n hundred other ROADS 10
the county being Ia the mean time "hoiY
unattended to--some Of TEEN becomlht
almost impossible for want or the smah
amount OF work necessary at the proper
iuncture 20 keep them In order. AND
soon after this leading road was so wei
worked there came wind-storm, when
blew large trees across II, and wash
ing rain. which filed portions OF II with
almost impossible holes and gullies, am
II would have so remained had not pr
waite parties (heavy taxpayers, too
gone al their own cost and charges, ana
removed the distractions and repaired
the road. Frequently. too. the abutment
TO bridge over stream otherwIs.
imnassable Is washed away by frcshc,s,
or so removed out OF position a 10 rem
der IL impossible TO cross the bridge inc
remedy for this does not admit or a mo
ment's delay; but the precinct road over
seer. with some Of the hands assigned
him. is the only person who can act with
the promptness ard efficiency the emer-
gency requires.
A very good, practical compromise OF
the matter might however be made by
reouiring one or two leading roads OF
a county 10 be worked once Il year under
the contract system without dispensing
with the constant supervision and at
teutton OF precinct road ovcrseers over
these and all the other roads OF the
county. With the assistance OF the able
bodiei men OF their precincts required
10 work the roads two days In year.
Let US not. however. have any increase
OF taxation. The people are taxed to
death. while their property Is sold for
one fourth OF It's former value Under
these circumstances there should be a
large diminution OF taxes. and by no
manner Of means the slightest increase.