Evening journal., 1903-06-16
BELAWARE'S NEW LAW
FOR MAKING GOOD ROADS
Under Its Operation State
Hopes to Have Better
Highways

Since the Levy Court has taken up
the matter Of improving the roads Of
the county many questions have been
asked about the operation of the law.
The full text follows:
BE it enacted by the Senate and House
Of ReDi esentatiyes of the state Of
Delaware in General Assembly
met.
Section l.. The Governor shall ap-
point three competent persons, one Of
whom shall be a resident of each ooun-
ty in this State, to serve as, and be
known as the Delaware state Highway
Commissioners. Their terms OF office
shall be so arranged and designated by
the Governor at the time of their ap-
pointment that He term of one mem
Der in two years, and one mem
Der shall expire in one year, one mem
Der in three years, from the first day OF
January, A. d., 1903. The full term of
office of each member thereafter shall
be for three years and until his sue
cessor is appointed, and all vacancies
occurring shall be filled by the Cover
nor. All appointments made by virtue
of and under the provisions OF this act
shall be referred to the Senate of the
State OF Delaware for confirmation as
required by the Constitution.
They shall receive in full compensa-
tion for their services an annual salary
of ten hundred dollars ($l,OOO), payable
in twelve equal monthly instalment, by
the State Treasurer out OF any moneys
appropriated by the General Assembly
for the Salaries Of state officers. They
shall, before entering upon the duties
of their Office and within ten days after
their appointment. make oath or affir-
nation before II judge of the Superior
Court of this State and execute a bond
with sureties approved by the said
judge in the sum of five thousand dol
lars (S5O0O) each for the faithful per-
fornance OF all duties connected with
their office as the same are or many
hereafter be lawfully defined.
They shall be provided with an office
in the State House or some other suit
able place IN Dover with sub-ohices in
Wilmington and Georgetown il deemed
necessary by the said State Commits
sioners, in which the records of their
said office shall be kept. They may es-
tabiIsh rules and regulations for the
conduct of business and for the carry
ing out OF the provisions of this act.
Section 2. The said State Commits
sioners shall forthwith proceed to in
vestigate and consider the best and
most practical methods of construction
and maintenance of highways and the
estimated cost of the various methods
and systems. They shall prepare suit
able maps and plans on which shall be
clearly drawn the various routes they
recommend. They may employ experts
from time to time and al necessary
clerical and other assistants and may
incur such reasonable expense i'm this
regard from time to time as may be au-
thorized or approved by the Levy
Court Of the particular county in which
said expense is incurred. They shall
from time to time estimate the amount
Of expense required, and shall submit
the same to the said Levy Court of the
county as aforesaid for its approval
and no expense shall be incurred by
by the Stale Commissioners beyond the
amount SO estimated and approved
They shall after due notice, hold AT
least one public meeting annually in
each county in this State, for The pur-
pose of giving advice upon and discuss
ing freely all matters pertaining Ia
public highways.
Section ,. The said State Commits
sioners shall Keen a record of all pro
Ceedings orders, petitions. plans, speci-
iications, and full and complete ac-
counts of all money expended by the
State or counties or hundreds or prop
erty owners for the Improvements ofany
highway or section thereof under the
provisions of this act, and they shall
prepare a biennial report of all theh
doings, together with any suggestions
or recommendations they may deem de.
sirable and shall submit the same tC
the General Assembly during the frs
ten days of each regular biennial ses.
sion thereof.
They shall certify to the Stat,
Treasurer and to the Levy Court of tn,
county IN which any highway or sec.
ton thereof is improved under the pro.
visions of this act an itemized accoun
of all money expended under the pro.
visions of this act, and shall draw thei
warrant upon the said State Treasurer
for a sum equal to half of the cost o.
the construction of said highway o
section thereof. (this being the portion
of said cost 20 be paid by the State un
der the provisions of this act as here
matter stated. and they shall certif.
to the Levy Court of the particula
county as aforesaid. the said county
share of the said cost as hereinafte
provided. and no money shall be pai,
out by the said state Treasurer or b!
the Levy Court of any of the countie
under the provisions Of this act unit
said certificate Of expense has beer