The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-02-19
THE NEW COURTHOUSE
AGAIN AND ROADS

King George Co.. Va. Feb. 10th. 1910.
To The Free Lance:
Seeing in the columns Of your valua-
pie paper much comment regarding the
Dulluing OF courthouse in King
George county, | write 70 say the citi
zens of King George county are consid-
eraOly alarmed lest the one man power
board of supervisors will by their lack
OF business qualifications BANKRUPT the
county. This, the writer believes.
would be the result were il rot a fact
that the people will have TO be consult
ed before any such high-handed scheme
can be consummated. There is no tax
payer IN King George county more in
favor OF Improvement, either public on
private, than the writer. but there are
so many other needed improvements
the building of new courthouse pales
INTO msignihcance. The people of
King George county are 10th to vote 10
place $4,000 to SIS. 900 of their hard
cared money in the hands of the board
OF supervisors 10 squander. The pres
ent board has shown a lack of business
qualifications and disregard for the
wishes OF the people in getting plans
and bids to build courthouse before
:, ?, NiA BA1oclOu ATOif lfle tax DaI-
ers. lt shows a lack Of Judgment
The law may give them authority to do
this, but DO not believe il a good law
for any board of supervisors to issue
bonds without being authorized by a
majority vote of the qualified voters.
believe buyers of such bonds would
question their validity. The Lepisla-
ture rs the lawmaking power of the
state and l fail 10 find in the constitu-
tion any such power vested in the board
OF supervisors of any county. If such
is the case the law will not stand the
test OF the courts. The vestinp of
power to the board of supervisors to in
cur an unlimited Indebtedness would
bankrupt county. / am advised the
unit of taxation in King George coun-
ty Is Sl.5O on the 500. If such be the
case the supervisors will find them
selves IN ridiculous position when
confronted with bonds are illegal"
lhe board Of supervisors uses ex-
travagant methods in working the pub
lic roads, employing whole families of
boys as young as from II TO 10 years of
age, instead of employing tax payers.
Anyone going over the roads in uDper
King George can readily see the handi-
work of boys rather than men. Such
methods have not created very high
regard for the business judgment of the
board Now If the present board of
supervisors desire 70 erect themselves
memorial TO perpetuate the business
acumen of this august body, let them
repair the present courthouse and place
1t IN sanitary condition. Public senti-
ment cries aloud against the wiping
out Of one of King George county s
ancient landmarks and it is the only
public link connecting the present with
ante-bellum days "befo' the wa
The people should rise in their might
and teach these gentlemen that they
are servants rather than masters. The
present courthouse is sufficiently com
modious for the transaction of ali bust
ness coming before the court. At an
expenditure of from 81. 600 to 81 ,2OO it
could be placed in good condition. Clean
out the inside, put in new floor.
strengthen foundations and walls is ali
that IS needed. If the building was
placed in the hands of a competent
mechanic he would surprise the people
in its appearance when he had finished.
believed the -2hcIa-is the sentirzd,at of
a. paug up from Petersburg Oryfs 70
- - - - -..S t.uuN . =,
a large majority of the citizens of ff'RS,re RineS
Ahere Is another matter of interest II
Is not generally known that the present
board OF supervisors have adopted the
road law enacted for Prince George Co
va This law gives each supervisor in
eaeh magisterial district absolute CON
troll OF the roads in his district. IL also
provides all roads shall be rounded nm
IN The center and slope to the sides. II
provides suitable sign boards at every
prominent cross road giving informa,
uoh 10 what town road leads to. also
that any supervisor neglectinp
70 keep roads in order shall be fined Sl0
T oTr not more than $l00. Now it's up 10
me people OF King George to compel
-h -he poard OF supervisors to live up TO
% ,ne law or be handled before the court |
and pay the penalty of neglect.
Tax Payer of King George Co.