The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1899-03-24
GOOD OR BAD ROADS (WHICH ?
TO Be or Not to Be7 That's the
Question:

H.
Il. nave been greatly exercised concernin
the question Of good roads.
= Just at this time there is somethin
Ike state verging on lunacy on thi
> subject, aud every lunatic thinks h
has the only perfect remedy for healin,
the sick roads. The fact is that al
though there are varied ideas. one
D.. would suppose that the only necessary
lhlng to do is to put your hand in the
hat and draw out your choice. IHb
'lunatic' proposes to ventilate his
idea, and if the people are not astound-
ed at the ease with which they can
have good roads, it is not the fault Of
the 'lunatic."
have never yet met man who
would confess that he is in any way
responsible for the conditions that con-
'front.' us, but he can tell you, even
before you ask him, Just where the
trouble lies The most common is
that "the board Of supervisors have
utterly failed TO remedy the wrong.u
Another says "The state should aid -
Another; THE United States.p and a
few say, that "if we had better Judge
and commonwealth's attorney the
thing could be iixed.n This "lunaticr
thinks that each individual is response
bic for bad roads, aud if each one would
stop complaining and put his shoulder
TO the wheel, that wheel would soon
get out Of the mud.
The officers Of the county are but the
servants Of the people, employed to do
and perform certain duties prescribed
by the laws made for the government
Of the people, and made by the people
through their representatives in the
legislature. They are not empowered
to make money, nor are they empower
ed To enforce the collection Of money
regardless Of the will of the people
They cannot make greater levy on
property than is authorized by law.
They cannot require license tax on
vehicles nor a poll tax on male persons
between the ages Of rs and 90, or make
them work upon the roads, but the
people can, by having the proper au-
thority given to the board
The roads belong to the people, not
to the board Of supervisors. Do our
farmer friends, or merchants, or pro-
men improve the condition of
their property from the means furnish
ed them by their servants?
have it from good authority that
4 good macadam road can be built, ex-
'lusive Of grading, for 81 $50 per mile,
provided the rock can be gotten within
me and one half miles of the road.
| am informed that the rock can be
,otten and grading can be done very
heaply with our present road ma
hinery.
There is an old receipt for cooking
abbit. "First catch the rabbit
To build macadam road you must
Irst get the money.
Can we get the money? / think we
an. How much do we want now? l
ay $4,000 will be sufficient to maca-
am 10 miles Of road. Ten miles
rom Farmyille towards Pamplin, ten
)wards County Line X Roads, ten to-
ards Green Bay, five towards Rice,
nd five extras where mostly needed
In order to raise this amount get the
legislature to give the authority to is
lie county bonds bonds payable 30
ears after date, redeemable in 10 years,
caring per cent. INTEREST," They
IN be easily sold at par.
Now that we have the money and
sbt Of $4,000 how should we pay our
sbt?
lst. Tax all vehicles as follows: Four
Drse wagons, 50; two-horse wagons,
.j0;ox-cart, two oxen, 81 80; carriages,
.5O buggles, ST.
2nd. Levy a tax Of fifty cents in the
inbred dollars on real and personal
operty
The revenue thus raised would pay
e interest on the debt, provide a
king fund, and leave enough in the
iasury to do other necessary round
,rk and build bridges.
This Investment would give at least
% per cent return in the way Of bet
travelling facilities, and general
hancement Of property.
VIII the people do this?
IN a short time you will be naming
ar next representatives in the Legis-
ure, instruct your nominee to have
, necessary laws passed. Make this
business matter, stop complaining Of
cr people; do your part
you want "pole roads" sag 50. If
j want the old-fashioned roads, like
enjoy (2) now, say so. You can
We anything you want, provided you
= the price.
"LUNATIC.v