The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1883-10-25
OUNTY ROADS.

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One OF the matters that GOVERNOR PRE-
LAND mentions in his proclamation calling
| special session of the legislature, to be
legislated on, should receive the earnest
attention of our legislators, especially them
of north Texas, in the black-wsxy coun-
ties. We refer to the matter of providing a
better system of public highways. The
question of roads in our black-waxy soil is
getting to be serious one.
Bad roads are detriment
to all classes, especially to the farmer. who
is more dependent on them than any other
class, on account of his having to haul
the products of his farm to market. 1t is
frequently the case that corn, oats and
other products bring a high price in our
market, but on account Of the impossible
condition OF the roads our farmers
are prevented from delivering their grain
and consequently suffer serious losses.
These are facts well known to all. We-are
forcibly reminded of them every fall and
winter. 1t is plain then that we need bet.
ter roads to benefit both the farmer and the
merchant. To build good roads 1t is going
to cost lots of money; that is one
thing we had just as we'll make up our
minds, to submit too. There could be
nothing done In our opinion that would
benefit all classes and industries in the city
and county of Dallas more than the build
ing of say sixty miles of turnpike in our
county; say two lines thirty miles long,
running from east to west and north
to south, or in any other direct on !.
crossing each other at Dallas. We believe
that sixty miles OF good turnpike can be
built for three hundred thousand dollars,
say 5000 per mile, perhaps less. We will
not ask the question whether sixty miles of
good turnpike is worth the sum we mention
to the taxpayers Of our county, for surely
any one who will reflect over the matter
can not help but see the
grea. benefits that would accrue
to all. We believe that these sixty miles Of
good turnpike would be worth as much to
the city OF Dallas as a half dozen railroads,
and to the farmers of this county as
much as a dozen railroads would be.
There is not an acre Of land in Dallas
county but what would be enhanced in
value fully twenty-five per cent. Since we
firmly believe that the benefits TO all classes
OF our citizens would be so great and last
ing, that we, have no hesitation In suggest.
ing that our county issue $500, 900 In bonds
bearing say @ per cent. interest and
expend the money in building
this system Of turnpike roads.
There would be no difficulty in disposisg
Of the bonds at par TO the state or private
parties. Assuming that the assessment Of
the county is twelve millions, and mot take
into consideration the enhancement OF val
ues and interest on the sinking fund, it
would be necessary to levy tax Of only
about 30 cents on the 500 to
pay the interest and create sink
ing fluid for 20-year bond, for the amountI
above mentioned, but we believe that on &C
count OF the enhancement OF the velue o
property In this CITY and county By reason
of the building of the roads that it would
only be necessary TO levy tax IN short time
Of rot exceeding is or 10 cents on the 500
valuation. The assessed vslue Of the property
in the city OF Dallas is very near as much
a. the balance Of the county now, and we
believe that IT will dorble within the next
five years what It Is Low. Who is there
that would not be wiling 10 pay
the small tex TO SECURE good roads,
Az an illustration. take The snail farmer
whose properly is assessed At $1,000; Il
would Get him &C per an ium II the levy |
vas 30 csnts-the highest tax that It would
be necessary 70 levy. The difTsrsncs in the
urics Of one load Of grhin would Enornt 70
more than Sc. bnt IN short tine thi
tag would not sm0unt 10 more
than So or 81 PER snnun.
We fsei salisfsd that suitable rssisrisl can
BE- obtained for the construction Of good
ROADS IN this csuntT, and We VIII not dis
ru-. the mode snd rnfDnsr Of building The
rnsd In this srticis- We believe that The
tine has arrived 70 act pronpflJ in She
matter Of securing better roads and We
bop. thss The question WI 10 thoroughly
si.cu~sd. Cor -s bsilsrs that . discussion
n he suhjsc, vii bs me means q securing
rhst We nssd 70 bsd-rcod roads.