The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1898-09-28
FOR BETTER ROADS.
THE GOOD ROADS MOVEMENT
LORAIN COUNTY.

A Plan for Better Roads Throughout the
County-The Law Provides for the Is-
sue of Bonds by County Commissioners
by Authority of the Voters of the County.
On Wednesday last Mr.. F. D. Warren,
one Of the trustees Of Wellington town
ship and president Of the association
formed by the trustees Of the county,
and Mr.. B. B. Herrick. also Of Wellington,
visited Oberlin in pursuance Of plan to
ascertain the sentiment Of the people OF
the county in regard to a movement for
the Improvement Of the public roads.
They found that a sentiment favorable to
such movement had already been
formed in 0berlin, and some attention
given to plans and methods through the
discussions which were held and inyesti-
cations made by members Of the Oberlin
Board Of Commerce some months since.
At that time, after full discussion OF
the subject at several meetings, resolu-
tion was adopted in favor Of memorable
ing the county commissioners upon the
submission to vote of the people the
question of issuing bonds for the pur-
pose Of improving the roads in accord
with a provision of the statute. on
account Of the war coming on, and for
other reasons, 1t was not deemed advisable
to press the matter at that time; but as the
war is now over and the country pros
porous, there seems to be no reason for
delay.
Messrs. Warren and Herrick first sug-
gested the agitation of concerted action
of the township trustees of the county,
under the law passed April %, 1893,
which authorizes the trustees to make an
assessment Of not exceeding four mills
on the dollar valuation, in addition to
other taxes allowed for the purpose Of
improving by matchmaking and gravel
ing such public highways in the respec-
tive townships as they may deem
necessary.
Upon comforting with Mr.. N. Huckins,
who is an active member of the commit
tee of the 0berlin Board Of Commerce on
roads and highways, and others familiar
with the subject, their attention was
called to another law of less recent
date, which provides for the issue Of
bonds by the county commissioners by
authority Of the voters Of the county. for
the improvement Of the roads, and the
visiting gentlemen came to the conclu-
sion that the latter Is the more desirable
plan.
The section Of the statute authorizing
such action, reads as follows:
Sec. 475S. The county commissioners
of any county, when they become salts
fed that the public interests Of their
7 county demand and justify special action
for the improvement of the roads there
: in, may appoint three disinterested
stoned freehOlders Of their county as
commissioners, to view, survey and
locate one or more roads, beginning at
and leading from the county seat Of the
county, or such other and eligible points
as may be deemed proper, and running
8 by such direct and eligible route as they
may find best for the public convenience,
} and terminating at any point within OF
, at the county line; but they are moi
authorized or required to construct any
such road within the corporate limits Of
the town or city where the county seat iE
I located, when according to the last fed
eral census, more than one thousand In
: habitants are contained in such corporate
limits; and for the purpose Of improving
2 and repairing those streets in such towns
or cities as are continuation through
. the same, Of the roads heretofore i'm
q proved under the provisions OF this sec
tiOn, the county commissioners shall
!. cause to be expended, in the manner pre-
scribed by law for repairing such roads
as much of the tax collected therein fol
turnpike purposes as may be necessar!
I to keep such streets in good repair.
Complete provisions are made in thI
succeeding sections for carrying out th'
law:
Sec. Provides that not less thai
twenty feet in width shall be turn-piked
and not less than ten or more than six
teen covered with stone or gravel.
De Sec. Authorizes the commission
= ers to appoint an engineer and to obtail
land where a new road is laid out ant
the necessary material.
Sec. 4762-Authorize the commission
. ers to acquire and receive donations AM
y written agreements from Taxpayers sub
jecting their property from annua
taxation.
Sec. 4763-Provides that the commits
siOners shall not levy general tax no
appropriate money except so far as !
necessary to pay for preliminary Surve
without first submitting the question
the qualified voters Of the county at a
April or November election.
The remaining portions Of the law prt
vide for the details Of carrying 1t out an
for an an annual assessment to keep u
the roads.
The annual meeting Of the AssOciatio