The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-12-20
"A GENERAL
ROAD Bill
a N y M -
The Measure Framed by MI. Ed
mondson Passed the Senate
Yesterday.
GOES BACK TO THE HOUSE
The Provisions Of the Bile
ployment Of Prisoners M ctllod
Of Raising Finds.

Tho Senate yesterday passed with
amendments the House bill known as tho
Edmondson general road bill which now
goes back to the House for concurrence
IN the amendments engrafted by tho
Senate.
The general provisions of the bill arc
moro or less familiar. rho first section
OF the bill confers upon the county
boards Of supervisors control, manage
mont and Jurisdiction OF the county roads.
Bridges and landings.
8E Provisions are made In detail for ac-
tion by the supervisors on all questions
of opening new roads or altering the Local
Lion Of grade of such roads. Every con.
tlngency has been carefully covered, III.
cludng defense against the report OF the
viewers, and appeal from the board OF
Supervisors. on whom cost of such appeal
falls In the event Of the maintenance
or failure OF appeal. and all other details.
Provision Is also made for condemnation
pr property for rondways, changes, etc,
with the usual exemptions from such con-
dcmnatlon. The county Is chargeable
with the compensation Of the owner Of
property for such land as may be needed.
TO RAISE FUNDS. ls
Funds for road Improvement. extension,
repair or alteration, and for remunera-
zion Of owners Of land condemned, are
provided for by authority vested In the
supervisors to levy, along with the county
levy, a tax upon real and personal prop
crty OF the county, not less than five
nor more than forty cents on the one
hundred dollars OF property collected. ac-
counted for and paid out just as other
county lcvies. When the board deter
mines to levy tax exceeding. twenty
five cents on the one hundred dollars OF
taxable value, the question OF such levy
shall be submitted to tlleyvote OF the cit
liens. save that residents of towns cx-
empt from road tax shall have no vote
on tho question. Provision Is further made
for levying an additional tax on magis-
1erial districts for working and keeping
roads In order.
It'll A road superintendent shall be appoint-
ed annually In each county by the super
y1sors, his term to be one year and his
compensation to be fixed by said board.
Power OF removal and fine for neglect or,
1nalfcasance is conferred on the board.
@5 Provision is made for roads forming
the dividing line between magistcrlal DIS
tricts or counties.
gII156s a. LEASE OF PRISONERS.
Provision Is made for tho lease by coun-
Ties having no chain gang OF prisoners In
the chain gang OF another county or city
for work on the phblic roads The pris-
oner Is to be kept In consideration LOT
such work. Provision is made for the
remuneration of such prisoners at a
ma xlmum wage not to exceed twenty tlVe
cents per day. Prisoners may thus work
out the amount Of their fines. Prisoners
given a specific jail sentence may be
worked In that county or leased to some
other county, and he may be worked hn-
der such regulations as the court may
determine upon the roads during the Pc
riod for which he is sentenced.
Provision is made for letting ROAD work
Ia contract after proposals for bids. Fro.
vision Is made for the levy Of funds ana
& the payment 10 such contractor for such
work done by him.
4, Provision liz made for bond issue BY
counties for raising funds with which to
macadamise roads or build bridges, tho
amount OF such bonds being limited 80
that maximum levy OF twenty cents
on the s1oo will meet the interest on SUCH
bonds. Such bond issues shall be ap-
nroyed BY a majority OF the qualified
voters. If majority favor tho BOND
issue, the Circuit Court shall enter an
order. The maximum interest en- such
bonds Is six per cent. Provision is made
for retiring the bonds or for the redemp-
ton of those subject to call.
AS soon as the House. agrees 70 inc ~,
Senate amendments the general ROAD Dill
will become law. 44&