The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-07-28
GOOD R0ADSIN VERMONT
HON. n. n. MUNFORD TELLS NOV
THEY ARE MfDE IND REPAIRED.
The Laws of Vermont Reviewed and Val
liable Suggestions Made for the Ben
eft of Virginia Roads.
Bennington. Vermont. July o. 1895.

/ more pressing moment 10 the Stalc Va
| Virginia than how to provide means ana
methods for improving her public roaus'
| A great step forward has been taken IN
the recent awakening OF our people 10 lHo
| importance of this subject
More and more we are beginning 10
| realize that bad roads are not only
| grievous tax, hindrance to trade ana
| an intolerable Inconvenience, but that no
| cCnsiGe rable influx Of desirable eInlgrih's
| can be hoped for until We have adopted
| some effective SYSTEM for their improve
ment.
] trust a few words descriptive Of tie
| methods in use In this section may prove
| OF interest. and contribute to the forma-
| ton of that public opinion In the hSht
| of which our road laws must be enacted
and their execution enforced.
have upon several occasions visited
| the state OF Vermont, spending my time
! I'm the midst of a farming section. Inc
good country roads which | everywhere
| find have so impressed ne that ths sum
mcr | have made careful study OF the
| State road-iaws. and conferred WITH road
| officials charged with their execution.
While do not approve all the Provis-
| ions Of the Vermont statute, and am
not persuaded that IL Is adapted, as
whole. to the local conditions which sur
| round us in Virginia. yet there Is In the
| law much that $ worthy Of our imita-
| ton. and / can testify that II has mere
| secured splendid system Of pubic roads,
| and all the blessings, material and other
| wise, which such a condition insures.
The sections I'm which / have made my
| observations correspond In topography
| and soil with such counties as Bote-
tourt. Rockbrldgo Augusta. and Abe
marie. a grass country, Astounding IN
limestone. rolling, with mountain ranges
| in the distance.
In 1856 the statute row IN force was
enacted. A summary Of its leading fro-
visions presents the following features
TIE funds for the construction and
maintenance Of the public roads are pro-
| vided from two sOurces-One state ara
the other township tax.
The Legislature is required 20 levy an
annual State rOad-tax of five cents ON
| every hundred dollars OF property, real
| and personal whether situated In cities
| towns, villages or townships. The funds
/ thus collected are apportioned out among
| the cities. towns. villages, and town
; ships. according TO the number Of miles
+. Of streets or roads in each city, town.
+. village. or township, respectively. IN
| this way the richer and more densely-
| populated sections are made 10 make
some contribution 10 the poorer and more
sparsely-inhahited sections. In order 10
1 make this apportionment. the local au-
| thorities are required 20 furnish the Sec
| rotary OF State with certificates OF the
number Of miles OF streets or roads IN
their respective localities.
The funds thus apportoned are imme-
| diately turned over to the treasurers OF
the several cities. villages. and townships,
TO meet the drafts upon them for road
| construction and maintenance, as herein
| after explained.
| In addition 20 this State tax, the Sc
| lectmen IN each township corresponding
| I'm a measure with our Boards OF super
! visors). are required 10 levy an annual
| township tax OF twenty cents on the hum
| bred dollars, for the construction ana
| maintenance Of the highways therein. A
special tax Is levied for the erection OF
| bridges. as occasion may require. An adj
| ditional township tax I'm excess OF the
| twenty cents above mentioned may be
| lelied If needed though this levy is OPP
| tional. while the former Is mandatory.
The expenditure OF the funds thus re-
| ceived and the work of constructing and
| repairing the roads. is confded to COM
| missioner, OF whom there is one in each
! township.
This officer is elected annually by the
| Board Of Solcctmen. He must execute
| bond for the faithful application OF all
moneys coming into his hands; pay out
| the same BIZ written orders on. the town
| shin, treasurer, and render an annual
statement. showing the manner in which
| the funds have been expended.
| He is furnished with all necessary ma
chimes and tools by the Selectmen. and
is required 10 commence his work OF
| road-repairlng in the spring. and COM
| plete the same before the first or August.
| For his services, he receives two dollars
day for each day actually at WORK.
| The extent Of territory and the miles
Of road in each township, OF course.
varies There are about eighty-odd miles
| OF highway in the township from WHICH
l am now writing.
In addition TO hoes. shovels. picks. and
plows. each commissioner is furnished
with "A road-machine Of the most APPROX
| cd pattern with which the greater part
| OF bodybuilding and repair Is accom-
| plished
The funds 10 construct bridges and 10
| purchase machines and tools Is pro-
| vided out OF the general township tax,
I and bonds may be issued 10 create
special fund, in cases Of emergency as
| where some great ireshet destroyed
| roads, bridges. etc.
The above Is a hurried summary OF
the PRINCIPAL provisions OF the Vermont
statute. so far as providing the funds, ana
the system by which they are expended
! in building and keeping in repair her
! public roads.
4 word now as to the remedies where
from any cause the roads in given
! township are not kept In proper repair;
The County Court I'm each county APP
points for a given term three commits
sioners. not more than two OF whom can
be residents Of one township. II any
three citizens consider that any given
| piece OF road is not In proper condition,
| they must first notify In writing select
| man Of that township. and II work Tor
its repair is not commenced in thirty-siN
hours thereafter. these three citizens may
| make complaint TO the aforementioned
| Board OF Commissioners. which latter
| shall hear the complaint. examine the
| road, and II, in their opinion. 1t needs
repair, tSey forthwith determine the
amount which is necessary TO be expended
thereon crowded. the same is rot over
five hundred dollars. and shall make an
! order requiring the Selectmen 10 make
the needed repairs within thirty days.
Should the .Selectmen fail. from any
| cause the Board Of Commissioners shall
appoint an agent to do the work.
| They shall file their estimate OF the cost
with the County Court clerk. who shan
| forthwith enter judgment thereon against
| the township. which shall be collected as
| provided by law.
The statute further provides that
! township may also be Indicted by the
! grand jury and fined for its failure TO
keep its roads In repair. provided the
| complaint has been previously made TO
| the Selectmen.
The width Of tires is regulated by the