The commonwealth., 1903-02-05
A ROAD LAW FOR HALIFAX
COUNTY.

Representative w. F. Parker was at
Halifax Monday. He has prepared
bill for a special road law tor Halifax
county which he will introduce in the
Legislature and it will doubtless be
passed.
Mr.. Parker asked that the bill be
read before the board and other citi-
zens at the court house Monday. It
was read and there was a general ex-
preston of appreciation. Many good
citizens expressed great delight at a
prospect for Improvements of our pub
lie roads.
Some of the main features of Mr..
Parker's bill are these:
1t provides township road fund for
each township, through special levy
OF not less than ten cents ncr more
than twenty cents on the 500 worth
of property, and poll tax OF not less
than thirty nor more than sixty cents.
1t provides for road superintendent
for each township appointed by the
county commissioners with salary to
be fSed by them. Such superintend-
ent is to give bond, submit quarterly
report, and perform the duties pre-
scribed by the bill.
! All able-bodiea men between the
ages of Is and IS years, except those
living in incorporated towns, are to
work the roads six days in the year !;
but in case OF washouts or distractions
they may be summoned additional six
days if necessary. In lieu OF doing the
six days. work any one may pay $500
a year, and such money is to 60 into
the township fund.
The bill requires that all hands shall
do good and honest work OF nine hours
per day.
/ The treasurer of the county shall be
treasurer ex-officio of the road fund,
and shall have 2 per cent. commission
for its disbursement. All accounts
must come through the road superin-
tendent approved by the board oi
township road supervisors and paid on
tho order of the county commissioners
All necessary equipments for the
work, such tools as shovels, picks and
the like, to be furnished by the county
commissioners and charged to the
township fund In which the work il
done.
The board OF road supervisors of each
township must inspect all the work and
audit all accounts, two magistrates
with the chairman, constituting q
quorum.
The bill provides Tor locating and
relocating roads by the board Of town
ship supervisors, subject to the approx
al of county commissioners.
The bill also provides that if either
, the county commissioners, the town
ship board of supervisors or superin
tendent fail to do their duty, they
shall be guilty of misdemeanor an6
be fined at the discretion of the court
Provision is made in the bill TO-
, procuring material for repairing ant
improving roads and for paying TO
same. Parties interfering with hands
drains, etc, are punishable in th'
; courts of Justices of the Peace, ani
t Justices OF the Peace have jurisdiction
: in most cases.
= CONVICT LABOR.
t The bill provides for working on tn,
public roads convicts from Superio
courts and courts of Justices of tn
Peace and from nearby counties
they are needed and desired the coun
ty authorities to use Jail, build camp
: tor the cOnvicts and all such expense
! to be paid out of the fund from tn
township in which such work is done
All convicts OF certain terms may b
used for working the roads, buildin;
: bridges, working at the county home
3 and doing any other work needed to