The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-27

IT is generally recogulzed that there
are few questions of more Importance TO
The people Of Virginia than the improve
ment Of the public roads. Indeed. no
question has been the subject OF more
discussion in public meetings, conven-
lions. and in the columns of the State
press during the past twelve months, the
people of Virginia having been brought 10
realize the effect OF bad roads upon every
interest OF the state. and,t demand some
change in our Anticipated and Ineffective
laws upon this subject. IL Is 4 fact wOr-
thy of note that large majority Of the
county conventions which nominated the
members Of the present legislature passed
resolutions demanding d modern road
law for this State
1t is very evident that "a change III the
principle of our road laws IL necessary.
Since 1870 We have passed some four hun
bred special county road laws in add
lion to the general law. These laws have
almost Invariably resulted in Increased eN-
pcnditures FOR road purposes. but I'm very
few cases have they resulted i'm any i'm
provement OF the roads. At preseu, our
county tax Tor road purposes averages
state, and We are using AZ least 100000
per annum on our roads. an amount
which. properly expended, would In due
time give us impro, cd highways. Shall
We continue This ruinous waste Of our
limited resources. or shall We. Ike the
more progressive States OF the Union,
adopt some general system which VIII
lead 10 a judicious ana intelligent expendi-
ture OF the money now ted and pro-
duce gradual ana permanent improve
inent of the public highways?
The present Legislature cannot com
plain thai II has lacked Information upon
tina subject The Virginia Good-Roads
Association was organized more than a
yet ago Tor the purpose OF overcoming
+, WIS difficulty and has made a very thor
oigh investigation OF the subject. Under
its auspices there was held ia this city
last October a convention composed Of
shout two hundred delegates. representing
neatly every county and commercial in
.terfst In the State. iOr the express and
exclusive purpose Of considering the sub
feet OF roads. This convention debated
n length the important question OF road
legislation, and agreed upon The Droyis-
ions OF d general law 10 he recommended
90 the legislature. aud appointed Il COM
ms;tee. one from each congressional dis
trict, TO draft bill in accordance with
the provisions of tho plan adopted, and
10 secure. II possible. It's passage oy the
Legislature. \ osrcfuily-prcpared bill.
based upon the plan adopted by the con-
MENTION. has been presented 10 The Legls-
lature. ana at the same time The associa-
ton offered an the data and Information
which Il HAD collected. la addition TO this
the officers oil the association have ap-
peared before the committees from time
10 time and fully explained the provisions
OF the proposed law and the reasons
therefor they have brought men con-
Nersant with this subject from all Sec
lions " Virginia ana from other States.
who have appeared before the committees
and given them any information desired.
They have taken the nembefs OF the COM
'mlttecs and naany members OF both
houses 10 New jersey 10 see the results
OF tho operation OF a similar law i'm that
state, and they have placed their time,
talents, and means az the disposal OF the
Legislature for the pufposo Of getting any
Information thar ~lgif be desired. and
which would legf fho enactment Of
good road law iti" We elf 1
N any mtasui, .flnrc To T.
furc OF Virginia has received more D4ic-
fsl consideration and Investigation than
this proposed road law.
After an Investigation extending over
noriod Of about i've weeks the bill pre-