The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-02-18
Lem. esq.
For the JefTerSOrl

MEssRs EDITORS: A subject of much
Importance to the taxpayers of Hancock
icounty is about TO be, or has already
been, thrust upon our consideration. |
mean tax of two mills on the dollars
valuation of all our property, for the
building OF macadamized roads in our
county. l understand that you, Mr..
Editor, favor this proposition. OF course
all, who favor 1t, do SO from interested
motives. Self-interest is powerful
motive to influence our action upon any
given subject. Public interest is, with
most people, secondary motive for fa-
voring or opposing any measure submit
ted to the pnblic for its consideration.
There are two classes that will favor the
building of roads at the expense of the
county. They are, first, such as expect
such roads to pass through or along their
premises, or in close proximity thereto.
Second, such as have material that may
be required, at large figures, in the con
struction of such roads These two
classes have no motive except what is
based upon seIf-interest. Others may
be found who will favor or oppose the
construction of such roads from similar
considerations.
1t is not to either of these classes that
1 wish to address myself. The men of
our entire county, who are quite above
selfish and narrow considerations, are
they to whom | wish to submit the fol
lowing facts: Our county has not less
than five hundred miles of mud roads
The cost of macadamizing, at two thou
sand dollars per mile, would be one
million dollars. This calculation is based
upon the supposition that material suit
able Tor making tie roads can be OBJ
tanned within a reasonable distance of
the place where its use would be re-
quired. Is there any certainty that ma
terial can be so obtained! We think
that in many parts of the county the
answer would have to be in the mega
tive. Again, it may be claimed that only
a portion of our roads would have to be
macadamized; that is, the main leading
roads. To this view we would say, a
road north and south, and one east and
west through the center OF our county,
would cost nearly one hundred thousand
dollars, and not one-fifth of our people
would derive any benefit therefrom.
Nothing can be more unequal or un-
Just than to require the entire communi-
ty to contribute to public improvements
that are of no possible use to more than
two thirds of that community. 1t is
conceded that these roads, If built, will
center at Findlay. What Interest, then,
has Orange, Pleasant, Delaware or
Washington townships, in building roads
north and south, east and west through
Findlay2 Orange, and part Of Van
Buren townships, find their place of
business and point of attraction at Ada.
Why should the people of these town.
ships be taxed to build a road from
Findlay to Williamstown, which they
will rarely, if ever, have occasion to
travel? The objection which Orange
township may urge to such tax, would
apply with double force to Washington
township, which not only transacts most
of its business at Fostoria, but has by
railroad direct and easy communication
with Findlay. What is here said of
Orange township, may with much force
be applied to Delaware, Pleasant, and
other townships.
Mr.. Editor, with your permission, |
hope to provoke through your paper a
discussion of this question in which every
taxpayer is interested. Should this
communication find place in the col
umns of your paper, l trust that some
advocate of taxation will give us bis
views upon the subject, and his reasons
for the faith that he entertains. In that
event shall claim the privilege Of re-
viewing his arguments and stating in
more detail the objections to this meas
ure which force themselves upon my
mind. +. BROWN.