Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1895-12-20
The Good Roads 0uestIon.

| Stuart's Draft Farmers CLUB. MAJ.
AbsOlom KOiner of Augusta, and MI. II.
w. Anderson of Richmond, Secretary Of
the Good Roads Association Of Virginia
addressed the members of the club. Maj.
Koiner reiterated his views as heretofore
expressed before the Fishersville Farmers
Club and published in the VINDICATOR,
which were not favorable to the State road
law as suggested by the late Good Roads
convention. Mr.. Anderson spoke OF the
benefits which he thought would result
from a State road law, and the general
benefit to the farming community, OF good
roads, whether brought about by a State
law or any other system.
We are indebted to Mr.. J. w. Church
man, Secretary of the club for the follow
ing sketch of the proceedings:
1.-THE club was called to order by the Pres
ident. VIM. G.. Abney, and after the roll
call the minutes of last meeting were read
and approved. The further order of bust
ness was then by resolution omitted and
Hon. A. Koiner. was introduced or rather
announced; Maj. Koiner needed no intre-
duction to a South River audience. He
had so long represented the county in the
State Senate, and SO fully held the conf
dence of the people, that what he had to
say on the road question was listened to
with profound attention.
''He began his remarks by referring to tho
improvement made in recent years in the
manner of draining and bedding the roads,
and said he was convinced if Augusta coun-
ty were let alone she would soon have as
good roads as she could afford. He cited
the fact that no farm produce now decays
on the farm for lack Of roads, and thought
that our privileges should be in keeping
with our income, in public as we'll as in
private matters, and should beso guarded.
Maj. Koiner then discussed the good Roads
Convention, and said it was good thing
If properly managed. Some parts of the
State have neglected their public roads,
and it was manifestly unjust to tax one
section to help another that has done moth
ing to help itself. The speaker held that
tho true theory of county roads is that it
is local work conducted by local authori-
ties who know and feel the need; that
''home rule, is an impossibility with a
High Commissioner of Roads in Richmond
to determine where the money should 60.
The speaker said he was rather persuaded
that the proposed measure is unconstitution-
al and read from sections 10 20 of the consti-
tuition to substantiate his belief. He said
he hoped the day would never como when
the people would be so foolish as to bond
the county and place debt upon the pres
ent and future generation. It would be far
better to pay as we 60. In conclusion
Maj. Koiner said that the last vestige of
Individual right lies in our holding the
management Of our county roads, and ad-
vised that we continue to improve them
by grading and draining, and proceed ac-
cording to our means.
MI. H.W Anderson Secretary of the Good
Road Association was then introduced.
He proved pleasant speaker, and made a
favorable impression. He read from manu-
script and spoke rapidly. He argued that
bad roads affect business injuriOusly, and
that the remedy was III quick and econOm-
Zeal transportation. He said that the num-
Der of road laws placed on the statute
books in the last three decades was about
400 and all proved defective; that it was
the intention of the Good Roads people to
remedy these defects. This speaker differ
ed from the views OF Maj. Koiner as to
the constitutionallty of the proposed law,
and thought it sound, He read from the
proposed law, section by section and dis
eussed them at length, and showed that
theoretically he was well up on the subject.
There were several visitors present
among whom were Judge Lyman Chalkley.
Capt. q. B. Koiner, Saml. F. PiIson, D. A.
Bell and others.
This club passed a resolution of thanks
to Maj. Koiner and Mr.. Anderson for their
addresses. and there being no further bust
ness adjourned till I'd Saturday January,
1896.
J. w. Churchman Cor. Sec.