Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-19
The Norris-Lccdy Bill Bar to Politics

Tic NOrrlS-IccNN blli a bar 10 iotitiCS
THERE is inspiration in the fact. unmis-
i takably apparent even to the most casual
observer, that whatever honest differences OF
opinion may exist as to the ways and means
OF raising the funds necessary for good roads.
and the method of creating the governmental
machinery for their building, there is no d.
vcrgence of views TO the one great object
to the attainment OF which this special ses-
sion of the General Assembly is consecrated.
No voice has been raised against the good
roads project, there no dissenters, and
in the whole membership OF the Senate and
House it may be said truthfully there is not
one who, in his heart. doubts the sound wis
dom OF what Virginia is doing TO provide
itself with an adequate system Of modern
highways. That being the earnest. har
monious attitude of the Assembly no one
need fear that the existing differences will
not be smoothed out anlicably and that the
result OF the sessions labors as embodied
in the laws it shall enact, will be designed
wisely for the greatest and most lasting
good of the State at large. When a loyal
body of men is soldly united in one aim
there need be little worry over the manner
in which they set about to attain it,
That this is the attitude of the Assembly
is agreeably manifest in the increased favor
with which its members view the Norris
Leedy bill covering the creation of the State
highway commission, and the conviction
grows tndt tnlS is tne measure That nnally
will be adopted. Opposition to it lessons
steadily its admirable provisions are
studied more carefully, and some of the most
pronounced advocates OF the bill sponsored
by the Good Roads Association admit that
their measure would open the roads program
to the baneful influence of politics. This
danger the NorrisLeedy bill seems TO avert
in so far as it is humanity possible under our
democratic form of government TO do. its
oh
for the upbuiding OF political machine
Under its provisions, ratification by the Sen
ate is calculated to restrain such an ambition
should it ever be entertained by any Gov
crnor. or by any legislative faction. To the
Governor would fall the appointment Of the
i've members of the commission, subject to
Three of these members would
be cared for automatically. being provided
by the engineering departments of the States
institutions. This leaves but two
members 10 be appointed at large from the
State by the Governor. Here. under easily
foreseen conditions, politics might be ex-
pected 10 play a part, but with the Senate
having the power 10 reject accept the
nominees it is difficult to conceive of politics
entering into the composition of the com
mission TO the detriment of its achievements
And Tor that reason it would be decidedly
unwise 10 go further. has been proposed
and give the Governor the appointment of
al OF the commissioners. While two mem
hers could hardly serve the nucleus OF a
political machine, one might be constructed
more easily with five, each representing u
political subdivision OF the State
The sponsors of the bill foresaw such a
possibility and wisely hedged about the APP
pointive power. AS a matter of fact. 10 give
the Governor the full appointive power con-
ceivably might prove as disastrous at some
future time as 10 lodge it with the General
Assembly as contemplate by the association
OIL Virginia now is building for the future
Were II dealing only with the present in
the prevailing unanimity from the object at
hand, II might not make vast difference
which one of the various methods was
adopted, but it is against the possible evils
OF the years TO come that the checks and
balances must be established In this the
Norris-Leedy bill seems to be admirable from
every viewpoint, and if present indications
may be accepted majority of the Assembly
now entertains that conviction