Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-13
THE STATES ROADS.
MIR. MUNFonD PROPOSES A HIGH
WAY COMMISSION.
EXTENSIVE GOOD ROADS SYSTEM.
The Commission Is TO Inquire Into
All the Facts Connected Vita
Roads-The Patron Of the Bill Dis
cusses the Whole Question.


Mr. Munford yesterday introduced bill
in the Senate creating State highway
! commission.
The bin provides for TIE appointment OF
seven competent persons, one from each
Of the five great divisions Of the state
and two from the State at large, wnicn
shall constitute highway commission
the same to terminate on the ISL OF
March. 1900. They are to receive no com
pensation for their services. except their
actual travelling expenses. which snail
not exceed, however. the sum OF Szuo IN
the aggregate One Of the members shai
DO elected president and one a secretary
The secretary shall receive salary TOT
his services, to be fixed by the ooaIo'
The whole amount of his salary. how
ever. ard the travelling expenses above
mentioned of tho rest of the board, shai
not exceed $500 in the two years.
DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.
The commission is required to make an
epitome Of the leading provisions OF the
laws now in force in the CommonWeal'n
governing the construction and repairs OF
county roads; the results attained unuei
these laws; to inquire into tho geolosisdi
features of the several counties with rele-
renee TO the materials therein TOT roau-
making purposes; to ascertain the me-
thods now in operation in the SEVERN
counties. the manner OF paying lor .he
same. and the method III which the
money is raised. -.,,
The commission Is further 10 ascertain
the amount expended during the past ten
vears in All the counties of the Common
wealth the rate Of taxation by which the
soma was raised. and the laws and me
thods of other States in regard TO RAISING
money for roads They are to inquire as
70 the feasibility of employing state anu
county convicts in the making ana mann
tenance Of public roads. and the prepara-
tion of materials for such construction
They are further 10 investigate as
IN the cost and pracucaDlilty Vi
establishing quarries to De Woiheu
by convicts for the preparation OF ROAD
materials. and what rate of freight charge
can be obtained from the several roSos
of the State for transporting sucn mate
rails from such quarries TO the various
counties Of the state. The commission
Is 10 investigate fully all these and KIN
dre1 subjects. and embody their conclu-
sions in a report 10 the Governor, WIN
such recommendations for changes In our
existing Law as they may think VIII pest
promote the cause of good roads "hich
renort with the recommendations, are
IN be transmitted by the Governor to the
next General Assembly of Virginia
The bill further provides that any mem
her of the commission. or their duly au-
thorized agent. shall have authority 10
examine the State and county RECORDS
and to call upon State and county oilclals
for information and assistance In ou'aih-
ing the information desired.
The bin further provides for the appro-
nriation of the sum of 800, or so much
thereof as may be necessary TO defray the
expenses arising under the bill.
TO WORK CONVICTS.
Mr.. Munford in discussing his proposed
measure, said that there was no SUD
iect i'm his opinion, Of greater Importance
10 the people Of Virginia, and especially
the agricultural sections, as the improve
ment of our public roads. The BILL as
introduced, was simply designed 10 ac-
ouire full and accurate information with
reference to the subject, so as 10 enapie
the law-making power to deal with the
matter Mr.. Munford said he had two
suggestions, which, If embodied into law
would be productive Of great good-hrst'
the establishment of quarries, one on eaoh
of the several lines of railway or water
TRANSPORTATION, for the preparation OF
road materials, rock, gravel, etc., whlch
ouarries should be worked by convlcts
furnished and supported by the state.
These materials, under rates Of freight
prearranged with the transportati2a COM
NAMES of the State, at the lowest pos
sible rate. should thence be carried to the
several counties of the State, and used III
the construction Of well-macadamized
roads from the points on the railroads
out to the county seats and other places
in the interior. Mr.. Munford said 1t had
been found impracticable for various rea-
sons, both on account of the expense and
the fear Of people in the country TO nave
gangs of convicts working on the public
roads. buh the situation was entirely diff
ferent when fifty or hundred convicts
were employed in stockade making road
materials.
THE LAWS OF OTHER STATES.
Mr.. Munford said the introduction OF
road machines had greatly facilitated
and simplified the matter Of bedding
roads. and that after this work had been
done. IL was absolutely necessary, in most
of the sections of the State to cover the
road thus prepared with a layer OF gravel
or crushed rock. He said that In inyesu-
eating the laws of other States, he found
that in a great many of them State tax
for road purposes was assessed and col
lectef upon all the property OF the Com
monwealth, and that the fund so derives
was then distributed among the several
counties of the State, according TO their
mileage of public roads; thus. the wealthy
and thickly populated sections. together
with the cities and railroad corporations
would contribute TO the construction and
maintenance of a system Of public roads
I'm all the sections Of the Commonwealth
The expenditure Of money could be well
horne, because of the undoubted returns
TO all the people which would accrue
from the enhancement of property values
wherever good roads were established.