The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-26
WANT BOND ISSUE
F0R.COUN7'Y ROADS.
Delegate Tl1rockmorton Suggests
Popular ELECTION in Henrico
to Decide 1t.
NEED $500, oooFoR HIGHWAYS
Plan Would Give Each District
Twenty-Five Miles Of Fine
Macadaln.

= & F..
Urged by the desire Of seAhrlng bet
ter roads In the four districts Vt iIen-,
rico county Mr.. G. w. Throckmorton. a
member of the Legislature, addressed
a letter to the Board Of Supervisors
yesterday asking that Judge Scott be
petitioned to call an election for the
purpose OF ascertaining the opinion
OF the people on proposition to issue
100000 In bonds for road construction.
Mr.. Throcknorton shows that this
amount will be sufficient to macada-
mize from twenty to twenty-five miles
OF road in each district. and that 1t
Will not increase the present rate Of
taxation. The letter follows:
"As the representative OF the good people
OF Henrco in the General Assembly during
gently for the enactment OF laws which
would bring about the permanent construc-
ton Of roads by the counties. with such aid
II am glad to call your attention to the
statutes passed during the last session Of
the legislature. which will enable the coun-
State paying ono-half OF the cost OF con-
structon. Acts 1908. pages II and 90. The
first act provides for bond issue and the
County Must Do It's Share.
Under the act providing for state aid.
Henrleo county will get about $4,000 next
a like amount for the permanent construction
OF roads The work must be let to contract
and DO done under the SUPERVISION of the
State Highway Commissioner. The total
amount, $4,000, Will macadamize four or
five miles Of road, or from a mile to mile
end q quarter In ench of the four districts.
twenty-five years to macadamze the prin-
cipal roads OF the county. But the act pro-
money and build any number of miles 1t sees
ut. provided the work be done under contract
under the supervision OF tho State Highway
Commissioner The State Will then continue
to pay to tho county its pro rata share of
the State aid fund each year until II shall
have paid ne-half the cost OF construction
The bond issue act provides, that any
county or district may issue bonds for the
purpose OF constructing permanent roads,
provided the voters of the county order the
bond Issue. In order TO find out the wShes
OF the people concerning the bond issue, the
Board OF Supervisors must petition the Judge
OF the Circuit Court OF the county TO order
an election for that purpose. and in case a
majority OF the board decline to petition the
judge fifty ireehoders may do so.
Il am writing to ask you to request the
Hon. r.. Carter Scott Judge of the Circuit
Court OF this county. to order election
under Chapter 20. Acts 1908. in order to get
the wishes of the people of the county upon
100000 bond issue. the proceeds to be
used for the permanent construction OF roads
In each Of the districts. l would suggest
that the date of the election be the same
as that of the general election in November
next. This would save cost and Insure II
larger number of votes. The taxes belong
to the people and the roads belong them.
l simply want the people 10 say what they
want done with their roads. 1t will not be
necessary to increase the rate OF taxation
one cent In order to have the 100000 bond
issue. am informed that the amount spent
on roads last year was s2s.312.1S. and that
the same amount Will be expended this year.
Add to that the $4,000 from the State. and
We have a road fund OF s34,3Ia.ls without
any Increase over the present rate of taxa
ton. Three hundred thousand dollars Will
cost. in interest. sla.5oo a year, and sink
Ing fund OF $4,000 per annum Will be ample
to retire the principal
What Each District Will Get.
1T Will thus be seen that each district
can have from twenty to twenty-five miles
or three years at a total cost OF $4,000 a
year. and then have over $4,000 left with
which TO lteep all the roads in repair.
am sure there is no one In the county who
would not vote to have nice macadamized
road over which TO drive into the city dur
ing the winter months when 1t can be OBJ
tanned without additional cost. Our roads
during the past winter We're such as to
cause every one to desire a change In the
present system of working the roads. do
not believe that the people get one-half OF
system Of working the roads. and in saying
this do not mean to say that the money
is misused. 1t would be just tho same un-
der board appointed by the court The
roads by simply filling up mudholes this year
to be rehlled next year. The people can only
get the worth Of their money by having
their roads macadamized under contract UNI
der the supervision of the State Highway
Commissioner.
.'I hope that my views will meet with your
approval. and that you will grant my request
by asking the judge TO order the election in
order to find out the wishes OF the people
In this matter.
Very truly yours.