The Conway log cabin., 1900-09-11
OUR COUNTY ROADS.
An Interesting Communication
 on the New Road Law.

The people of Faulkner county are to be congratulated on having lately voted i'll favor of road tax.
 No legislation within my memory of 40 years in the state, is, i'll my judg- ment, fraught with greater beIie- fits to all the people than the act of May 8, 1899, found on page 347 ct seq. of the last acts. l was fear ful that, not knowing its provis- ions, the people would vote against 1t. I desire in this, and Ill such articles as may follow, to call at tention to its provisions and point out some of its advantages.
 In the first place the question must be voted on at every general election. This makes the law, a local option one and the people can discard it when they choose. Here let me insert a caution. Do not expect too much during the next two years. It will take time to get tools and selectcapable over seers and commissioners. Much more can be done i'll the second term of two years than in the next two.
 The quorum court ill October will levy the tax, which shall not exceed 5 mills on the dollar lon all of the taxable property of the county It is denominated as
 "the road and bridge tax, and will be collected at the time and i'll the same manner as other taxes. The quorum court will also i'll Oc- tober appoint and employ one resi- dent householder as Road Con- missioner, who shall make oath and give bond in the sum of $500 and receive two dollars per day for time actually spent ill service, and hold his office one year.
 This court will divide the coun- ty into districts and number them -as many as they please. 1 think small number will be best. Then overseers can be gotten to devote their whole time to this work, to study it, and make business of it. They are appointed ill Octo- Der also, receive $I.5o per day for time actually employed, and hold one year, subject to removal by the court. They give bond for $2oo each.
 Taxes can only be spent in the districts i'll which they are collect ed. The collector and treasurer keeping separate accounts with each district, much as they now do with school districts. Both commissioners and overseers must report to the county court ill writ ing at each term thereof.
 Section 10 says "all public roads and highways running most cen trally through the county, and one most used by the public, shall be designated as first class roads" all others as second class. All of the first class are to be first worked. This is important and should be remembered.
 Bridges of the first class q be- lieve those over 60 feet long) are to be built as now provided by chap. I7 of Sandell and Hills Dig, and it is thought must be paid for i'll Scrip as now done, at any rate they can't be built under this law and paid for in currency collected by this tax. Second and third class bridges are to be constructed under this law, under the direction of the commissioner and overseers, and by the road hands, or the court may let out by contract sec ond class bridges and pay for them out of this fund. Bridges of third class must be built by the overseer.
 Overseers are authorized by Sec. I6 to rent or hire wagons and teams and by Sec. 27 the court is empowered to buy such tools, blows, scrapers, wagons. graders and other implements as may be necessary or these may be owned by each district separately, or may belong to all or several districts, each one paying its pro rata share