Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1895-10-19
AccoMAC COURTHOUSE, VA.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1895.
Entered at the Postoffice at Accomac
@. H.. Va. as second-class matter

Entered at the POStOffice at AccOmac
@. H.. Va. as second-class matter.
The Good Roads Convention, which
met in the city of Richmond last
week, was well attended by delegates
from every section of the Common
wealth, the larger proportion of them
being farmers of intelligence and
ability, who had attained success in
their business and who not only
seemed to be able to discuss the ques
tions presented, but to do it in such
practical way, as to indicate results
from the meeting for the betterment
of our highways The convention
held two sessions and decided to pre-
sent to the Legislature some practi
cal scheme for the Improvement of
the roads of the State. To that end
committee on legislation was APP
pointed TO report series of resolu
tions embracing suggestions as TO the
legislation most desired, and the fol
lowing are the most important fea-
lures of the resolutions presented and
agreed upon by the convention:
The enactment of law by which
all classes and interests in the State
shall bear the burden of taxation for
road purposes in proportion to the
benefits derived; by which State aid
will be extended to the Improvement
of the main roads under equitable
conditions; by which the counties
shall be allowed to issue bonds for
the permanent Improvement of the
public roads under proper conditions
and restrictions; by which both State
and county convicts or convicted
prisoners will be employed in inn
proving the public roads; by which
the road work will be placed under
control of the boards Of supervisors,
or of special road boards of the
respective counties and by which the
actual supervision of the road work
will be entrusted to county en-
gineers, thus consolidating the
authority and responsibility and in
surfing intelligent supervision.
The enactment of general law
containing the following provisions,
urged by the committee, was agreed
upon as necessary to secure the end
desired:
A State tax of &C. on the 800 valua-
subject to taxation by the State, the
revenue derived therefrom to be
known as a State Road Fund"
A county tax of SC minimum on the
$500 of real and personal property,
giving authority to the boards OF
supervisors of the respective counties
to increase this tax at discretion.
Authorizing thehoards -. suner.e
ZION, to apply revenues derived from I
'axation on railroads, or any other I
special revenues, to road improve t
nent. t
Authorizing the counties to issue t
ponds for the permanent improve Il
nent of roads upon a vote of three S
ifths of the free-holders of county. +
Providing for the working of the :
State and county convicts or d
criminals in preparing material for C
he permanent improvement of the {
public roads; such road material to il
De supplied to the counties at actual 5
ost. "
Allowing county OF city to hire p
is convicted prisoners to another d
county, under proper conditions, to b
De worked on the roads. Ii
Providing for the appointment Of a {
State highway commissioner by the So
Governor, by and with the consent Il
II the Senate, for a term of four L
'ears, whose duty it shall be to super e
Use the application of the state e,
Road Fund" distribute road litera- G
ure and information, collect data to p
)e published in annual reports for g
he use of those engaged in road o
work, and for the information of the .t'
and do anything in his V
ower to aid the permanent improve |;
1ent of the'roads. /
Placing the roads in charge of the q
'oards of supervisors or of special G.
DAD boards in the respective coun d
les. K
Requiring the board having charge fl
# the highways of each county to V
mploy countysengineer, who shall a
ave direct supervision of all road W
york in the county, and be held "
therefor; provided, that k
where expenditures for road pur- r'
,oses in any county do not exceed q
$500 per annum, such a county may a
mite with some adjoining county 81
nd employ one engineer for the two a
ounties. e.
Amending the present laws in re- O
,ard to graduates in engineering, &c
ducated at State expense, so that L
uch graduates may serve as county a
engineers for two years, when en- o
oloyed by the boards of supervisors, g!
instead of teaching two years. u
Capt. 0. A. Browne attended the q
pnvention as delegate from North o.
lmpton and was elected president of n
hat. body: Accomac was represented II
y Mr. Spencer F. Rogers and Drs |
mo. w. Bowdoin and Geo. w o
.eCato. II
i