Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1909-09-17
ACTIVE FOR ROADS.
Governor Swanson Tells What Leg.
lslature Has Done.
HIGHWAY COMMISSION ACTS.

L OOS~'
TIES WHERE CONVICT LABOR IS I'M
PRACTICABLE-ALL BUT TEN LOCAL
GOVERNMENT HAVE ACCEPT ED
STATES BOUNTY-MANY MILES CON-
STRUCTED.
Flying scout cars and the honk of
their horns through many of the high
ways of the State this summer has done
as much as any one thing to arouse
public interest in good roads in Virgin
ia. Added to this has been the con-
troversy over the advantages of the
"Capital to capital route" as against
that of the "VaIley route" and all to-
gether the people of the Old Dominion
are in the mood of spending money for
good roads. At least the movement is
gaining ground.
GOV. Swanson is an advocate of good
roads, and both in his public utterances
and his writings to the press he has
tirelessly advocated the improvement
OF the highways of the State. Gov.
Swanson recently authorized the fol-
lowing statement regarding the i'm
proved roads movement in Virginia,
which appeared in the Baltimore Man
ufacturers' Record:
sFVirginia commenced her present
movement for road improvement at the
session of the general assembly of 1905.
Up to that time the State has done
nothing toward either the construction
or improvement of the highways. The
matter had been left entirely to the
counties and local authorities.
CREATES A COMMISSION.
The general assembly of 1906 COM
menced this movement by creating a
highway commission, with sufficient
competent assistants, who were author
lied to make surveys and specifications
for the counties and local authorities
upon request, free of charges. 1t was
thought best for the State not to make
appropriations for road construction
until the department had been organ
lied and could see that the money was
wisely and properly expended.
The same session of the general as
sembly passed a law directing the en-
ployment of the prisoners in the jails
and conYicts sent to the peDitentiary
! for term not exceeding two years, to
be used upon the highways in improv-
ing and constructing them. The State
appropriated sufficient money to guard,
feed and clothe these prisoners, and
the local authorities furnished the ma
terial and machinery to be used.
"Under the operation of this provi-
sion the State furnishes about half the
cost of construction of the roads and
the counties and local authorities the
residue.
Heretofore the State had kept all
prisoners in the jailsi in idleness, costing
about twenty-five cents per capita to
feed, cIothe, and guard them, and re-
ceived nothing in return. Under the
operation of this law the State has been
able to feed, cIothe, and guard these
prisoners for a great deal less than ii
cost to keep them in prison, and in ad-
dition secures their work. on the public
roads. The health and the moral and
physical condition of the prisoners has
been greatly improved while engaged
in road building.
PRISONERS HEALTH IMPROVES.
ga marked improvement in health
has been noted. The camps have been
constructed with regard to the law o1
sanitation, and little sickness has oc
CURED among the prisoners.
"The success of the convict road
forces has been marked, and shows re
suits as beneficial as its most sanguint
advocate could wish.
s'The last general assembly increased
the term of those sentenced to work Oh
the roads to five years, and this will ado
largely to the force.
"Under the operation of this Law
there are now fourteen camps engaged
in road work in the State. The demand
for these camps is larger than the Stat
can supply. The law will doubtless b
amended at the next session of the gen
eral assembly so as to provide for NOR
camps and make it easier to obtain tn
Jail prisoners.
"When the last general aSsembl,
met it was evident from the number Q
convlcts available that vast majorit,
of the counties could not receive tk
benefits to be derived from the law
hence the general assembly apprOpr
ated, commencing March L, 1909, $3.50
900 out of the State treasury to be di
vided among the counties in proportio
to the taxes paid by the counties, cor
ditioned upon the counties or local al
thorities furnishing an amount equal
that furnished by the State, thi
amount to be available in those cour
ties that could not obtain the benefit {
road camp during the year; the roao
to be constructed or improved to be III
der direction of the highway commi
sioner, and according to his plans an
specifications.
"Where the amount furnished by tt
State was less than 50, 500 the countit
were permitted TO use this in the COZ
struction of bridges, the county furnisl
ing an amount equal to that furnishs
by the State; the location of the brids
to be determined by the State and cou
ty authorities, and the plans and sp
cifications to be approved by the hig
way commissioner.
"Un Ter these two laws this year Il
State appropriation to the aid of 70;