Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1908-03-18
THE GENERAL ROAD LAW

III last week COURIER Mr..
Gold, In speaking of the genera
road law OF the State. saws that
Chapters % and "A provide that
when aCOunty proposes toimprove
road 1t must apply to the State
Highway Commissioner for an
engineer. who is to receive
not exceeding 1920. Sections -
and a, TO which Mr.. Gold refers.
do not constitute any part of the
general road law of Virginia. bun
refer particularly to convict road
force. Chapter 100 is the general
rca.l law of the State.
Mr.. Gold also mentions having
passed an act to provide forissuance
of bonds for road purposes. if the
people so vote. Chapter loo (the
general law which we have advo-
cated), section SO, makes the same
provision under the general law
that was authorized by Mr.. Colds
special act.
The general road law, under our
Interpretation of it, allows US to do
Just what Mr.. Gold says he wants,
lie, first, the improvement of our
principal roads, and, later. those
less used. Naturally, the most
travelled roads should be macad-
amized first, and any schoolboy
would agree that any other course
would be foolish.
Mr.. Gold says most of our road
money under the general road law
will go to highly paid officials.
We can't see it that way. Ger
tainly we think no one will combat
the statement that muchof the
annual road levy of 81, OOOunderthe
present law goes into salaries of
the different road overseers and
commissioners and never reaches
the road itself. If anyone can
demonstrate TO us that as much
money will be frittered away under
the general law rs is now lost under
the special law, we would be pleased
to have him produce the figures.
1t can't be done; for no man knows
or can tell even approximately |
how much has been lost in the past !
thirty-one years. We know how
many road overseers and commits
sioners we have, and how much
they receive per diem, but we can't
tell anything else.
The general law provides for
placing the roads of two or more
magisterial districts in charge of
competent man at not to exceed 81
per DAY for the days actually en-
gagged IN work, and, if that plan is
followed, provides that the Board
OF Supervisors may or may not. in
their discretion, appoint county
superintendent.
In our judgment, all of the roads
of the County should be placed in
charge of a competent man, whose +
bond is provided for in the general !
law, and the roads to be first
macadamized should be selected by ,
the Board of Supervisors. That
action and the general conduct of
the work is in the hands of the
Board.
Advertisement should be made. :
asking for applicants for the posi-
ton of county superintendent Of y
roads. the application to be accom- {
panied by their references as to .
ability and experience and the q
sal'rt desired. The Board can
soon decide as to the man they want g
J he fails to make good" the law p
provides for his removal at any b
time and the payment of a proper q
ton if his annual salary equal to :,
the amount earned in the time be-
fore his removal. !
Taking every section of the o.
general law and reading it over :,
;arefully, the law surrounds the n
proper construction Of roads and !,
he spending of the money with
proper and just safeguards. Off h.
ials are bonded, and the bond can 6,
'e forfeited to the County for i'm =,
roper actions or work by the r.
superintendent.
The general Ia y is working sue n
,ssfull.y in two-thirds of the coun- 70
e. Of the State. The law repre- ~
'nts the most intelligent road 81
2as of 49, State, complied from an