Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-02-11
THE PROPOSED
NEW ROAD LAW
Bill Framed by County Commissioners
Likely to Be Enacted Without
Amendment.
IT GIVES THEM FULL CONTROL
Road Supervisor System Of Years
Previous to 1895 Closely Followed
New Roads.

The bill formulated by the recent
convention of county commissioners
and county attorneys in Helena
whose purpose is TO provide a substi-
tute for the present road law, was in.
troduced In the house Thursday by the
committee on highways. II was refer
red to the same committee.
The purpose OF the proposed law is
to establish a uniform system of roa5
government and administration in the
various counties of the state and to
provide for the collection and dispo-
sition of road taxes and the fixing of
penalties for violations Of its provi-
sions.
The bill first defines what constitute
public highways and says:
All public highways now establish
ed must continue to be public high
ways until abandoned by the board of
county commissioners of the county in
which they are situated, or by opera
tion of law or judgment of a court of
competent jurisdiction"
Width of Public Roads.
The bill gives the county commits
%sioners power to determine the width
Of all public highways, which shall not
be less than 60 feet, except upon petit
tion to the commissioners by persons
interested, in which case the commits
%sioners may change the width. This
does not include, however, private
highways and byroads, whose mini
mum width must be 20 feet. AS re-
CARDS roads already established, the
act is not retroactive.
Any owner or occupant Of land may
construct a sidewalk on the highway
along the line of his land, and any per-
son using said sidewalk with mule,
horse or team without permission of
the owner or occupant is liable to a
fine of IS.
1t is compulsory upon the county
commissioners to provide suitable
books and have recorded therein a de-
scription of all highways. They must
also cause to be surveyed, viewed, laid
out, recorded, opened and worked such
highways as are necessary for public
convenience.
Duties Of Supervisors.
Road supervisors are placed under
the direction and supervision of the
board of county commissioners. Their
duties are specifically defined, such as
to keep the highways clear of obstruc-
tions and keep them in good repair and
to make quarterly reports to the COM
missioners of the work done.
A tax levy of not less than one mill
nor nor than three mills Is made up
on all taxable property in the county
for road purposes, in addition to the
special road tax of 81 on every male
between the ages of q and so residing
in the county. In lieu of this special
road tax, however, 1t is optional to
substitute a days manual labor, the
day not to exceed eight hours actual
| service. All moneys collected under
this provision shall go to the general
road fund of the county.
The commissioners must divide their
counties into suitable road districts
and at the March meeting appoint
their respective supervisors for one
year unless removed for cause, at a
salary Of not less than 81 o more
than SO a day for each days service.
Must Pay or Work Out Tax.
Persons who fail to pay or work out
the special road tax are subject to
punishment for misdemeanor. The
road supervisors must file with the
county clerk a statement, quarterly oil
monthly. If desired by the commits
sioners, a statement showing the work
done, receipts from special road taxes
the names of all persons employed by
him and the duration Of their service
where the work was done, all of which
must be duly examined, audited and
approved or rejected by the commits
sioners.
The road supervisor is given authori
ty to construct drains and bitches
where found necessary. and, under the
direction of the commissioners are EN-
powered to purchase implements
plows. scrapers and other tools neces
sary to the proper performance OF theil
work.
Any person or persons who obstrucl
any highway or place thereon any en-
croachment are subject to a fine o
500 If the same be not promptly moved
under orders from the supervisor. Al
damages to highways by overaows o
seepages from water bitches must b,
repaired by the owners of the ditch
All persons DESTROYS OF buildinI
bitches or canals for the purpose o
conveying water across public high
ways must first obtain the writteI
consent of the supervisor or count
commissioners, and must construct a
necessary bridges and the same {
prove acceptable to the county con
m~isgiOuprs or suDeryisOr thprnafta