SUPERVISOR OF HIGHWAYS.
On motion by Mr. YANCEY, the bill [H. R. 143--see pages 64 and 74 of this volume] to make the Township Trustee Superintendent of Public Highways, was read the third time.
Mr. BUNDY said this bill is substantially the same as House bill No. 187, from which the Senate struck a clause, now in the fourth clause of this bill. He made a motion to strike it out. It was agreed to by unanimous consent.
Mr. BELL believed every objection urged to the House bill No. 187 is removed from this one. This makes Townships, for all practical purpose, a road District to itself.
Mr. DAVIS called attention to the fact that towns were exempt from tax for keeping up the roads, and that is not right. If a portion of the Township want a gravel road into a town, the town is exempt from any tax to help its construction.
Mr. HEFRON thought it right to exempt towns and cities from the operation of this bill because the towns have enough to do in keeping up roads and streets within its own limits. Taxes are collected for the promotion of the public good. As far as he had examined this bill it meets with his approbation. Any good departure from the present system, which has proved a failure will, no doubt, be hailed with pleasure by the people.
Mr. WHITE objected to the taxation in one part of the District for the building of roads in another part, miles away. He opposed any such measure.
Mr. GRAHAM would vote against this bill because in his District and in other Counties where the people are enterprising enough to coustruct roads this bill proposes to oppress and put upon the people taxation they are unable to bear.
Mr. HART believed the people are clamoring for a new road law. There is one feature in the old law he did not like, and that is making men owning no property work as much as those who do. This bill proposes they shall work two days or pay a road tax of $2. While the bill did not meet his approbation entirely in every respect, he should vote for it in order to try the experiment.
The bill passed by yeas, 28; nays, 14.
Mr. SAYRE moved to take up the bill [S. 369] concerning fees and salaries of County officers.
