Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-10
III. Cood.Rooas Convention.

The Good Roads Convention Will meet
I'm this city to-day. and we trust VIII nave
n large attendance and profitable ses-
fions.
"The road problem" IS largely IMAM
ciai problem. II is in the power OF t"'
state to give the counties some help III
the way OF furnishing labor, but 'he
main part of the expense where goou
roads are aimed at must fall upon the
tax-payer. and il would be a good-pay-
ing investment in nearly every case Where
q permanent road-bed was made.
The compulsory-labor system. when
was long I'm vogue in Virginia, was put
70 an end by a decision of our old Court
OF Appeals declaring it unconstitutional
Two of the five judges dissented from
that conclusion, but so far as We Know
10 effort has been made to have the
present court review and reverse the
decision. But to meet the difficulty Inc
last Legislature proposed an amendment
10 the State Constitution, and If TINS
proposition be approved by the next
LEGISLATURE II will then be submitted 10
the vote OF tue ItOpIf
There is difference of opinion as 10
whether this amendment will be adopted.
But should Il he, IL still would remain Tor
the Legislature to enact laws TO carry
the amendment into effect. SO, for the
present, at least those who are working
for good roads need expect no Dement'S
from the compulsory system In
deed. We learn that many of the enthu-
slastic advocates of good roads are very
much opposed TO the compulsory-labor
system. believing that where It obtains
good roads will never be secured.
IL is likely, however, that the labor OF
many prisoners might be made available
in improving our roads; but the only
suggestion in this direction that we nave
seen which we consider practical Is that
made by Superintendent Lynn. of the
penitentiary-viz.. that many of the one
year prisoners now sent to the peniien-
tiary be retained in the counties, ana
with such other prisoners as may be
taken from the county jails be formed
into gangs. and be made TO do road labor.
This plan has two-fod value. 1t
gives the counties some Of the labor that
they need. and it offers the prospect Of
gradually relieving the crowded condition
OF the penitentiary.
1t is idle to hope that the Legislature
Is going to interfere with existing con-
tracts and transform the penitentiary
from q self-supporting to a defcit-pro-
ducing institution. But it would be quite
possible 10 spare the one-year men with
out impairing the numbers required on
contract work, and We cannot but believe
that a properly-framed bill having this
purpose in view would pass. one ad-
mirable feature Of this plan IS that 1t
would save the State the transportation
charges that would have to be paid for
bringing these prisoners to the peniten-
tiary.
Another thing that the Legislature
might do In aid OF good roads would be
10 give to counties free OF charge the
help of expert road engineers. This would
levy no great burden upon our State
Treasury. and would be fit recognition
OF the States appreciation OF county en-
terprise In the matter Of road improve
ment.
Bu, when all these questions have been
disposed of by the Roads Convention, II
viii still remain for it TO advise our
county people how best 10 raise the
money that will be required. no matter
what system may be adopted. Here, i'll
deed. Is where 1.-The road problem" comes
in. The increased taxation that in nearly
all cases Will be demanded should be
so light that It will be willingly borne
and long continued, for the making OF
good roads is not thing 10 be done In
year or two; but must be the product
Of decades Of intelligent and persistent
labor.