Year: 1874




AN ACT to provide for the opening and keeps


ing in repair the county roads.


Be 1t enacted by the Legislature Of Vest


Virginia


OF ROAD PRECINCTS.


/. Every district in this State shall be
road precinct, unless the county court shall
otherwise order Provided, That the road
precinct i'll each county shall remain as now
established until changed by the county court


2. The county court of county may di-
vide the several districts therein into con-
Veniens road precincts, sud may from time to
time change the boundaries of such precincts.
aud increase or diminish the number thereof.
The precincts in each district shall be dis
tnguished by consecutive numbers, and the
boundary line thereof shall be recorded in
the proceedings of the court


3. No road precinct shall include sny part
of an incorporated village, town or city. which
by the provisions of its charter, keeps its own
roads. streets and alleys in order, Dotwithstand.
ing anything to the contrary contained in the
preceding sections.


4. The county court of every county. shall
biennally at the January, February, or March
term of said court, appoint a surveyor of roads
for each precinct of their respective counties,
who is a resident of the precinc. for which
he may be appointed, and whose term of Of
fee shall be for two years from the first of
April succeeding his appointment Vacancies
in said Office shall be filled by the county
court from tune to time, as they may occur,
and shall be for the unexpired term.


D. If any person appointed such surveyor,
refuse TO serve, he shall forfeit twenty dol
lars; but the county court of the county NAV
for good cause remit such forfeiture; and a per.
son who has served one term, may refuse to
serve the mex, term. without being subject to
any penalty therefor.


Within ten days after he is notified of
his appointment, and before entering upon
the duties of his Office. he shall take and sub
scribe the oath required by article 4, section
of the constitution. Such oath may be
administered by justice of the county, or
any other person authorized to administer
oaths generally, and when properly certified
shall be filed in the clerks office of the
county court


CERTAIN DUTIES OF THE SURVEYORS OF


ROADS.


I. Every surveyor of roads shall perrorm
the following duties. within his road precinct,
that Is t" say he shall snrCriutend the county
r"adS and bridges, cause the same to ba nut in
good order and repair. of the proper width,
we'll drained, and to be cleared aud kept clear
of rocks, falling timber. land slides sud other
distractions. He shall cause to be opened
and made al! new county roads and s'tera.
tinnS of former roads ordered bT proper au-
tho i;y. Tie shall cause to be placed and
kent at the fork or crossing of every county
road, a guide board, on which shall he stated
in plain letters the most noted place TO which
each road leads. Across every stream where
it is necessary and practicable. he shall cause
to he placed and kept a ficient bridge,
bench or log for the accommodation of foot
passengers. Where auv more imnnrtaut
bridge is necessary, and it ia practicable for
him tn have it made with the money and la
Dor which is st his disposal. by virtue of his
Office, he shall cause il to be made safe and
convenient, and at les%t twolve feet broad,
with = railing ut less than three feet high on
each side. lie shall notify or cIuse to be
notified. all parsons who are liable hT law to
work on the roads, Of the time and plqce at
which they are required to attend for that
purpose, and shall direct and superintend-
their work When = county road is suddenly
ohStructed at any time of tho year. by the
falling of rock or timber. land slide or other
cause, or comfy bridge is from Ruy cause
rendered unsafe, he shall immediately order
out such a uurHher of persons liable to work
on the roads NAV be necessary Cnntwith-
standing such persons may have performed
their full number Of days work on the ronds,)
and without svoidable delay cnuse such oh
structions to be removed from the road. or the
bridge to be made safe.


Every surveyor of roads shall keep an
exact account of the number Of days work
done on the roads in his precinct by each
l;all I'll
required, mako report thereof to the county
court at any time during the year.


8 He shall also make report annually 20
the county court at the fiscal term thereof, of
the condition Of the roads and bridges in his
precinct. the amount of money and labor eX-
pended thereon during the year ending on
that day, and the improvements. alterations,
and new works finished during the year, or
in progress ; and shsll recommend in such
report anv improvements. alterations. or new
works which he thinks ought to be made,
stating the probable coat thereof.


10. Every surveyor of roads shall deliver
the books, accounts, aud papers pertaining
to his office, to his successor, when he shall
demand the same. If he fail TO do 60. he
shall forfeit not lees than thirty dollars. And
every such surveyor now in office shall at the
expiration of his term Of Office. pay over to
his successor all the money in his hands by
virtue of his Office, taking duplicate receipts
therefor. one of which shall he filed with the
clerk of the county court If he fail to do
So he shall be liable for double the amount
in his hands, to be recovered in the name of
the connty, before any justice or corr. having
jurisdiction.


II. If surveyor of roads fail to perform
any duty required of him by law, aud there
is no other penalty prescribed therefor, he
shall be liable to indictment or presentment,
and upon conviction thereof shall be fined
not less than fiye nor more than thirtv doIlaN