The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-10-28
SPoTSyLvAhIk BOND ISSUE
To The Free Lance.
Communicated

To The Free Lance.
As one of those interested in the re
suit of the road bond election to be helC
in Spotsylvania county next Tuesday,
have followed closely the discussion OF
the matter in the newspapers and be,
lieve the question has been pretty well
threshed out. There are two or three
things. however, which il may not be
out of place TO review briefly, and
shall be glad if their review shall win
one convert to the side Of the bond
issue. In the first place allow me to
refer TO the act of the General Assem-
bly, passed at the last session, and pro-
viding for the appointment of Board
of Public Roads in Spotsylvanla county.
| drew this act and secured its passage
at the request of the people of the
county and its object in brief was to
provide that whenever the county should
see fiji TO issue bonds for PERMANENT
road improvement, then il should be-
come the duty of the Judge of the Cir
cult court TO appoint a commission OF
four persons, who shall each be free
holders and residents of the county and
shall be known as the Board OF Public
Roads. This board, if the bond issue
now proposed is voted next Tuesday,
will Immediately be appointed by Judge
Mason and under the provisions Of the
law in question, Acts of 1908, page 669-
20, will have complete control of the
expenditure of the money derived from
the bonds, but first they must give
bond for the faithful discharge of their
duties; and upon the completion of the
work. and in any event once IN every
six months, this board must make a
report to the Board of Supervisors,
showing the work done and the money
received and expended. The members
will receive for their services not more
than $500 per year to the chairman and
not more than 1918 to the other mem
bers. but the compensation may he less
if the Judge so orders. They are APP
pointed for three years, but the pay
ceases when the work is completed.
These men, therefore, handle the entire
fund raised from the sale of bonds for
permanent road improvement, but they
must have the roads TO be improved
constructed according To plans prepared
by the State highway department at
Richmond and under the supervision OF
competent engineers. IL will be seen
from the above that every safeguard Is
thrown around the expenditure OF any
money derived from bonds and under
the law the people can rest assured
that they will get their moneys worth.
Under the general bonding act prepared
by the writer and Senator Strobe. OF
Amherst. Acts 1908, page 10. It Is
especially provided. as has heretofore
been stated, that while county bonds
must be issued, the county and not the
district being the unit Of government,
yet the county is practically a sponsor
only for the districts issuing the bonds,
as the entire property in these districts
is liable for both principal and interest.
Under this provision, therefore, Living
ston and Berkely would never be called
upon TO bear any part Of the cost OF
building roads in Chancellor and Court
land As the districts actually issuing
the bonds can not be bonded in excess
of 10 per cent. of their total assessed
valuation, they are also amply protect
ed. and here it might be well 10 note
that the assessed value is not more than
one-half the actual value, if that. Along
with other advocates Of good roads, re-
alizing as do their value, both from a
monetary and an educational point OF
view. | hope to see Spotsylvania vote
in favor of the proposed
bond issue next Tuesday. If she does
il is my earnest belief that she Will
never have cause to regret II.
Respectfully
{ O'COnOr GOOlrick