The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-11
FOR GOOD ROiDs.
The Association Issues an tmportah, u"
cu,ar-Need "f Legisiation'
Congressional District COMMIT
Third Congressional District

The Association Issues ~" N'f
cn,ar-Need nf Legislation
Tho Virginia state Good-Roads Asso-
citation has iust issued the following er-
cular which explains itself
Richmond, March Z. 1895.
Dear Sir: For the past ten months '"'S
association has been conducting an "'
tive campaign IN favor or ROAD ii'pio'
ment I'm Virginia, ana II Is souiV
congratulaton to rs that the iesuts u
our efforts are already very eNle'iN'
while one year ago the cause oi foan "'
provement excited little interest anu ia"
nut little ~upport. to-day it is one OF the
ioadino Questions in the state and is at
tractiug the attention and thought OF the
hest citizens of every section AS re-
sult of this campaign of education
healthy public sentiment I'm favor OF road
irlprovoment has been and rs being
created. aud a considerable Improvement
i'm the methods of working the roads
may bo noted Ia some sections.
The association. after much labor and
an exhaustive investigation of the sub
iect. prepared and presented TO the Legls-
lature just adjourned a bill 10 provide
for the gradual but systematic Improve
ment Of The roads of Virginia. This bill
OfODONFN a system MiitNat nRntN h''N'
reen just. economical. and effective. but
it was a departure from past customs
i'm this State. and, as a result, was at first
generally misunderstood and met with
considerable opposition. IL was thorough
Is discussed before the committee Of both
houses OF the Legislature explained 10
the members personally. and large num-
Der OF the members of the Legislature
were taken to New Jersey by the asso-
citation. i'm orlr that they might see the
great benefits that had resulted from the
operation of a similar law in that State.
The bin was reported favorably 10 the
Senate and remained on its calendar for
three weeks, but all efforts on fhe part Of
the association 10 have IL acted upon
proved ab0rtiye In the face OF the ava
lanche Of private bills. lr Is one OF the
evidence OF the merits of this measure
that its POPULARITY increased as IL was
better understood. and at the time
OF the adjournment OF the Iegis-
lature we had ascertained by actual poll
that majority OF the Senate favored the
bin. and were assured Of similar major
ity in the House. II simply failed for lack
OF time. and we have good reason 10 feel
confident Of its passage ly The neyt Gem
eral Assembly, 10 accomplish which We
will preserve our organization and make
renewed efforts when the time arrives
Tho failure 10 have obtained heretofore
the needed legislation IS mainly due 20
lack of Information upon tne subject on
the part of our people. and dcmonstrat :
forlblv the necessity for the work Whirl
the association has undertaken. II Will
not he possible. ON account OF the lack Of
funds. TO contribute our work as actively
ms has been done M the past ten months,
D.. mill ffnma ID nf.AsE tho Ia0IIs4
of ~ooi roads in Virginia Under these
circumstances individual effort on tho part
Of lie members and friends OF the ASSOC
citation IS even more necci cary than here
tolCrc. We would urge YOU. therefore,
10 DO everything YOU can 10 keep this mat
ter before your people. Make 1t the sub
iect or discussion an public meetings. dis
Cuss 81 with ycIr friends. secure members
60 the association and aid us I'm any way
O. cry-talize the sentiment I'm favor Of
good roads.
rho delay in securing a good road In "
should move the friends Of road improve
men. fo greater activity and Watchful-
ness TO ser that the road funds for the
next two years are expended so as TO
produce some beneficial Results While
intellig ant legislation upon this sub
iect is badly Needed. yet. II the best citi-
zens Of each community would take an
active interest in this question ana see
that tho county road funds are properly
applied. oven under our present defective
laws great Improvement could be made
vith tho half million dollars now eNpend-
od each year upon the roads By the coIn-
ties OF this State We would commend
this subject 10 your earnest consideration
AMI attention.
JOSEPH BRYAN. President.
II. ". ANDERSON. Secretary.