The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-03-10
MEssRs. Ep1roRs. VIII we have pixies

| MESSRS. EDITORS: Will we have pixies
in Hancock county, or will we not,
seems now an open question-one which
has been agitatiDg the minds of the citi-
zens of the county for several years. 1t
is question which we believe the peo-
pie have a perfect right to consider,
either individually or collectively, by
public speeches, through the press, orin
any manner they choose. Now, if am
correctly informed, tie advocates OF
I pixies made an effort, early in the pres
ent Legislature for an enabling act for
county commissioners by which they
might ON certain conditions levy a two
mile tax for road purposes These par
ties had n perfect right thus to petition
the law making power of the State.
Soon after this there appeared com
munication in one of the county papers
signed by an itinerant Granger (who
assuming a guardianship over that or
DER warned them of the terrible con-
sequences of taking such a step, and on
the strength of this warning remonstran-
ces went 10 the Legislature against said
Act
Then comes Mr. BROWN to the front
to rescue tax ridden people from an
aggressive movement. He brings his
legal talents into requisition on motiUe
power and self interest, and his argu-
ments are as conclusive as a metaphysi-
cal disquisition on a salt box and box of
salt. Now, we positively deny that an
effort to build pixies in our county is an
aggressive movement. On the contrary,
its advocates are the best friends of the
county. We want pixies. But has there
yet been any plan definitely concluded
upon? Have the Commissioners yet
levied any tax tor such purpose9 Has
Mr.. DEWoLFE, or any other man. any
exclusive dictation in arranging a plan
for building free pixies on our main and
some of our second-class roads. We
answer, that the power to do this is with
the people, and the majority will rule.
But why listen to a 1Oandering Grang
er, who does not even have "a residence
in the county? Or why be influenced by
Mr. BROWN, who, perhaps, does not
drive team over our roads once in six
months? He is the man who sees a
great ''lion in the way" and cries out,
''aggressioni aggression!l" Now, fell
low-citizens, we appeal to you (and
though we may not have good common
sense) to look at this matter fairly. 7othe
farmers: Will you willingly tug through
the mud, with ten bushels of wheat, or
half ton of hay for load, while coun-
ties of less wealth than our own are
building pixies up to our lines? But is it
practicable? We answer that other
counties are doing it successfully; there
fore, it is no visionary scheme. Have
we the material? We answer by refer
ing to our inexhaustible beds of lime
stone, which make the very best of stone
roads. Again, we ask, who advocates
the plan for the many to build pixies to
accommodate the few? Do those five
hundred well-dressed men who drive
fine teams to Findlay every week ask
togies to build pixies for them? We
answer, No! Every man of those is will
ling to lay to the helping hand, as soon
as they are assured that the plan is
equitably, and that the appropriations
made for the purpose will be properly
applied. Let us have pixies, and if nee
\essary for that purpose, let us stop
building bridges. Let us turn our pres
ent road tax in that direction. Nay,
further, let us stop building school
houses. We would even go further, and
say, let us have only three months
school per annum, and by combining
these funds, we can build from ten to
fifteen mics of good substantial roads
per year, and yet be happy.
Yours, j. f.