The Van Buren press., 1896-08-22

convinced that for every dollar paid in
taxes he will receive 81 more in pro-
duets, he certainly will not oppose the
tax. This is the actual experience OF
the people wherever they have taxed
themselves for road improvements.
With the exception OF our school tax
nearly all taxes are used merely TO run
the government and bring no directye-
turns. A road tax is an Investment
that produces a money dividend, just
as money spent for clearing, fencing
and ditching farm.
How to Raise Money.
sour bad roads have been excused be-
cause it has been supposed that under
our present constitution money could
not be raised. Careful study of that in
strument shows that there are three
possible sources of revenue: o. For state
purposes ten mills may be levied by the
legislature. Usually only half of this
is required. If a system of roads benefit
ing all parts of the state were adopted,
it would be perfectly legitimate for the
legislature to levy one or two mills per
annum to be used exclusively for roads,
the same to be equitably distributed
and applied. This would afford relief,
especially in sparsely settled sections.
W County courts may levy five mills
for county purposes, including the
building of bridges and care of roads.
Usually the whole levy is required for
current expenses; but by close eeono-
my, and especially by the revision Of
the laws on costs in criminal cases, a
considerable amount of county funds
could be saved and devoted to road pur-
poses. One OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
under the present laws, has accumu-
lated enough money to build five or ten
miles of macadamized road. (3) The
constitution does not prohibit the or
ganization of road improvement dis
tricts in which the people who desire to
assess themselves for road building
may do So This is done in cities, and
in the country special districts have
been formed for building levees and
fences and for ditching. This legisla-
ton has been declared constitutional
by the supreme court; hence it is be-
iieved that laws establishing special
road districts would be sustained. Now,
a main road is not a purely local enter
prise. Property holders adjacent to an
improved road are benefited largely,
but often there is traffic coming for
many miles, and thousands of people
who do not live on the road use It'll
hence it is just that local property own.
ers, the county and the state combine
to build certain principal roads In
New Jersey the property owners pay
one-tenth, the state one-third and the
county the remainder of the cost Of
certain roads. This is only done when
the property owners petition for It, and
every locality has an equal opportunity
to get small amount of the state fund,
| if certain reasonable conditions are
met. This plan has the advantage Of
compelling the cities, the corporations
and the nonresident land owners to
bear share of the burden, since the
state aud county taxes come from all
alike. The results in New Jersey have
been SO happy that all classes of people
are asking for greater appropriations
! How to Organize.
The present duty of progressive men
in Arkansas is to lay this subject so
fully and fairly before the people that
they will insist on the forward move
ment. To this end it is suggested that
each county judge be considered a
member of the State Good Roads
league, and that each Judge appoint
five or more men known to be inter
ested in road improvements who shall
be the county executive committee.
The permant committee of the State
Good Roads convention is composed OF
A. c. Millar, Hendrix College, Conway,
chairman; H. L. Remmel, Newport,
secretary; L. c. Balch, Little Rock,
treasurer; J. D. Kembell, Hot Springs;
w. P. Fletcher, Lonoke; Frank Hill,
Fayetteville; w. f. Avera, Camden;
Emmett Rodgers, Jonesboro; W. M.
Neal, Helena; J. II. McCollum, Hope;
s. p Day, Fort Smith.