The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-24
COUNTY TO VOTE
ON ROAD BOARD
Proposition in Henrico Is to Take
Road Work From Board
of Supervisors.

/.
C. w. Throckmorton, the member or
the House of Delegates from Henrico
county. said yesterday that he would
make a campaign through the county
this year for the success of his plan
for new road board. This issue Will
be voted on by the citizens of the coun-
ty at the regular November election.
In brief, Mr.. Throckmorton's plan
embraces taking jurisdiction and exc
cution of the road work OF the county
out of the hands Of the Board of SUI
pervtsors and vesting 1t in road
board. His argument is that there is
a temptation to play politics on the
part of men who have TO come up toI
re election and that an expert should
have supervision of road construction.
This expert is provided for in the bill
Makes New Offices.
Those who oppose the plan will argue
that il creates additional offices, car
ryinC salaries which had better be eX-'
pended on the roads. Further, that the
work can be better done by the super
yisors, who are responsible directly TO
the people.
The Throckmorton bill, which was
passed by the last Legislature, requires
| the scheme to be referred to the voters
| next november, Lie SupeiNisoAS 90 -
to have printed as many ballots as are
required for the congressional, election,
upon which shall be printed For new
road law. and Against new road law"
The manner OF voting is to be the same
as in other elections.
Should the proposition be carried
the board is to be composed of four
men, one from each maGisterial district
They are to be appointed by the joint
vote Of the Judge of the Circuit Court
tie clerk of that court, the attorney
for the Commonwealth and the county
surveyor. This appointment is TO be
made in the month of March of each
| year, the commissioners to enter upon
the discharge OF their duties on April
| 1. Vacancies are to be filled by the
remaining members.
Details of LAW.
This board IS to appoint county
superintendent of roads, who must be
a practical road builder. He is TO hold
office for the same term as the COM
missioners and is to be paid salary
not exceeding $1,000 year.
The Board of Road Commissioners Is
to have the same powers now vested
in the Board of Supervisors under all
general and special road laws. 1t is to
have charge of the opening of new
roads and the closing OF abandoned
roads. and as such shall act as viewers
and appraisers. 1t is to employ such
engineers, assistant superntendents
and laborers as II doems necessary,
prescribe their duties and fix their
compensation; also to purchase all
tools. supplies, machinery and teams
and let contracts for all work of con-
struction and permanent Improvement.
The members of the board are TO re-
ceive SOD each annually and the sec
rotary SIS additional. They shall APP
prove all bills. which are to be audited
and paid by the Board of Supervisors.
Another duty of the Board of Road
Commissioners is to fix a road levy by
magisterial districts of not less than
10 cents nor more than % cents on the
500 of assessed valuation of all prop
erty. The Board of Supervisors must
levy the tax so determined, which is
| to vary between the districts as the
occasion may require. The tax Of each
District Is to be kept and handled sep
arately. The road tax received from
| public service corporations, together
with the county levy of 5 cents, shall
| constitute the county road fund. to be
equally divided between the districts
after the payment of salaries OF com
missioners and superintendent.