The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1878-01-03
To the People Of Jackson County.


Over twenty-seven years ago | became
citizen of this county. Her population
then was about one-half what it is now,
and the assessed value Of her property
about one third the amount Of the pres
ent duplicate. For that period have
watched the affairs of the county, and
been most Of that time in some way con-
nected with the interest Of the public,
and still desire to see her move steadily
on as heretofore in the march OF civiliza-
ton and material prosperity, her lands
improved, her resources developed, and |
her people made more prosperous and
happy.
congratulate you for what the county |
has done in that period. She has paid |
to erect the Portsmouth Branch OF the
M. a. G. r. r.. including interest, about
$4,000, erected substantial Court
House and Jail, sufficient for fifty years
to come, bought an Infirmary farm and
built thereon a good brick building, with
capacity to take in and provide for the
wants of about 100 paupers, and is now
entirely out of debt, with surplus in
the treasury Of about $4,000 Each of
the townships has built q town house,
and q school house OF good quality and
sufficient capacity in each sub-district,
with but few exceptions, and are also
out Of debt. Jackson, the county seat,
has grown in that time from a hamlet to
proportions nearly sufficient to become a
city of the third class, organized her
schools under the Akron law" and
her youth Of school age. organized fire
department with two fine engines, one
with steam power. and second to none
anywhere in beauty and efficiency grad
ed and paved nearly all her streets and
side walks. and she too is clear Of debt.
The object of reciting the above facts
is to prepare the way to suggest the pro.
priety at this time Of entering upon new
enterprise. and that is, to build system o.
Maeademized roads throughout he county.
Will any one say this can not or ought
not to be done2 | know it may be said
our taxes are high enough, these haro
times but we must not fail to remember
that we have paid in the past and accom-
plished without difficulty the things
above stated. and surely no one would
think of going back to the state of things
existing 27 years ago, even if the total cos
OF the improvement could be returned
Wherever there 10 a refined, educated
and highly civilized country, people oil
community. you will find the very best
of public roads. Our people in these
particulars will compare favorably with
any portion Of the State; yet we are
greatly behind most of the counties OF the
State in this matter of roads; but that il
because we were first making the abso
lutely necessary improvements without
going in debt. and gathering strength
and means to enter successfully upon the
improvements of our own public roads
in which every man, woman and child il
interested, and especially the farmers o.
the county, and not because we do not a.
people understand the importance o.
the improvement of our highways fol
many OF our citizens have been discussing
this question for ten years, and beer
anxious to see it commenced; Others
wanted to await the proper time, anC
to the latter class l belonged; because
my idea was that such improvement
should be paid for as zoe go, without en-
failing debt that would eat up the sub
stance of ourselves and children, by Day
ing interest on the necessary loans.
One hundred miles of road would max,
seven routes from the county seat to tn,
county line; sixty miles would max,
four such roads. If the cost per mil,
was 81 800, for the seven routes, abou
$l50O00 would be needed; for the four
about $4,000 We now have $4,000 il
the treasury, enough to build 20 miles o
road at the above estimate Of cost; Z
mills to the dollar would raise over $50,
600 yearly. In three years the 60 milei
of roads could be built, and paid for wher
completed.
Now most men know, or if they do not
by looking at their tao receipt they car
see, the amount on which they pay taxes
If q man pays taxes on 1000, levy o.
mills would add to his taxes $4 yearly
and of course the amount in any greater
sum can readily be calculated.
Now if the question was asked of each
taxpayer in the county, would you object
to paying "a yearly on the amount Of
your assessed value for 3 years, if in so
doing there would be built in the county
90 miles of good macadamized roads,
reaching as nearly as possible every To-
cality. how many would answer in the
negative2 l answer by saying very few,
and if / am mistaken in my answer, then
1 confess am mistaken in the spirit and
enterprise of our people. Let us hear
from the press of the county; and
through the press from the people in
regard to this matter.