Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1901-01-04
LANCAsTER's ROADS

In recent issue the Chesapeake
Wdtehman has the following to say
upon question of vital importance
to the people of Lancaster:
The most important problem for our
people to solve is the one of public high
ways. Lancaster's Supervisors are prac-
tica,ly handicapped by the lack of funds
wherewith to work our roads. Such a
condition should not exist, and we think
1t would be well and wise TO get the Leg.
islature TO pass law empowering our
Supervisors to issue county bonds to
raise sufficient fund to put all our roads
in order and give our enterprisinc and
progressive people the comfort and
blessing of good road-ways. Every
commercial, social and religious interest
in the county would be greatly benefited
by such action. After the passage ofthe
law, the Supervisors could, after dilipen,
inquiry and consideration, form sn esti.
mate of the probable cost, and issue
bonds, which would be readily taken
aud thea the cash would be in hand IN
do the work. The county. by
taxation, would have to provide for the
interest on the bonds and for sinking
fund, but we do not believe such provi-
sion would be in excess of the present
annual road tax. We offer these sug-
Sestions subject to modification. and ask
an expression of public sentiment. Our
present management of this all-imror-
tant matter is professionally deficient
and un-business- like"
In recent years the CITIZEN has
endeavored by figures and examples
TO demonstrate practically what
enormous sums the people of any
section which has bad roads Indirect
iy pay as tribute because of such
condition. There is quite u resem-
olance in it to the high tariff system.
which robs outrageously, at the same
time doing it in manner that the
victim cannot exactly point out. We
have fully exhausted these illustra-.
sions-as to wear aud tear of vehicle
and horse, extra horses and feed re.
quired, loss of valuable time. the
necessarily small loads, waste of the
county road funds, etc.-and will
not here go into them again. /
Our contemporary, in agitating the
road matter, is on an old and thresbed
subject, but one which will not pro-
duce efficient results until the fan
aud SITTER are diligently applied.
We concur in the main points that
our contemporary brings out, except
that we think the bond matter had ,
better be carefully considered. If
there is found no other way by which ,
Lancaster can secure better roads
then we say bond the county for what
is necessary and will be permitted
by the Legislature. For a few wears
every citizen who has the interests
OF his county at heart should. if
necessary be willing to pay double
the amount of taxes he now does to
secure good roads. But we do not :
think this at all necessary. We ,
think the means might be secured 8
oy reasonable increase in the road ,
AK IL We are not already at our
Unit for that purpose; if we are, have
he law so changed that a sufficient 7
um may be levied. We are not (
verse to bonding the county for this a
II any proper purpose, but there IS
'iso limit to the bonding business.
nd we might need bonds for some d
nture urgent purpose. SO if the {
unds can be raised in another way u
We think it best-but raise them We
hould.
We endorse with emphasis these c.
lst words of the Watchman: "Our n
resent management of this all-im-
ortant matter is unquestionabiy
Efficient and un-business-like." 81
in