Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-11-26

cussions ON the stone road question (both fol
and against) which have appeared in the
papers within the past few weeks. But
thought II stone roads were built at all, al
present, it would only be on paper. But Il
seems that those few who want such road,
are making q move for the real stone roads
that they are now soliciting subscriptions tc
60 toward securing the desired twenty pei
cent; that they have now obtained about
$1,000, and mean, in the near future, to build
five or more miles Of stone road, that road
to be constructed on the Bryan pike COM
mencing at Napoleon. And this, too, with
out even asking or consulting the general
taxpayer. Why do not those who want these
roads do as they do in other counties, when
they think Of such improvements-call a
mass-meeting of the Taxpayers of the coun-
ty, discuss the question, and fiud out whether
the people want them or not? Why not find
out whether the people feel able to build
stone roads? If they do, then go on
as the law requires; if they do not, then let il
stop right there. No, we, who are to pay the
other eighty per cent. of the cost of building
stone roads, are not even considered in this
matter; we are not even informed that they
propose to commence this improvement.
But, they get around among the few inter-
ested, commence the subscriptions, wait
quietly for the opening of the Legislature, get
through the special act, issue bonds for what
money they think they need--say $500
and the first intimation we taxpayers have
of it is when we are called upon to pay the
bonds. Is it not assuming more power than
is given by justice and right? s d, >
To call the attention Of the taxpayers, es-
pecially the farmers, to these and other facts
on this subject is the object of this letter.
In the first place, we are not able to build
stone roads in Henry county at the present
time. Look at the present Indebtedness of
the county-nearly 5000; next, the inter-
est on this debt and our bonds coming due
in 1890, just four years hence. What are we
going to pay them with? They say by increas-
ed valuation of real estate in $780, Are we
sure of much increase in value then? Is land
worth more in this county now than it was
in 1880? Are we going to put it above its
cash yaluep l'5. fGF .E.E
Some one finds $4,000 surplus fund in the
treasury. and wants that used for stone
roads, I would suggest that it be made q
starter on sinking fund, to be used in pay
ING off some of our bonds when thew come due.
Next, notice the tax to be collected in this
county this wear. $15o.0OO. Where is that to
come from? I will venture to saw Henry
comfy never saw such DELINQUENT tar list
as she will see tb;s year. af4
Next. notice the mortgages ON "a cord in
the county. about S4oO OOO. and at least s25p.
400 ON inproved farms. Ne.t. the interest
ON these at 7per cent. Add to all this the
cost Of living. necessary buildings. tile ditch
inc. etc. tt 10 be naid for ont Of present moor
crops at curfent low prices !, and q we can draw
a conclusion as to the condition of the gen.
era, farr,ar in tb;s connty ,,''' g,
Nert notice the ce,ond;t;on Of The moor man
~, narts of the county who has bonoht AZ, or
q, acres ~ wild land See tbe strucg,e he is
having with hard times in trying tn clear mn
his farm and make A home for his family.
See What he has raised tbis year. a field If
frouen corn frozan huctwbaat a match "a
tnrn;ns and a few acorn fatted HOGS: see the
taor, - onv ha IL e,ott;r, o,oro With. coo tho
bousa he ia living in. sea the nole hungry
looks of his half dressed wife and children
and likelv with all these bardsbins he il nav.
;ro co. co,,,,tv d;tcb Il rnrood ;ro,,rovon,ar+
that tba noor nan m x nav fori hecansa ba
Il tbae1 narson beneftted How does 7tb;s man
ernect n nu,, tbrouobp How can be nav
b;s tar with aim bolts a. II 6op
Naxt wa viii notice what 4 q c.ost;no pnt
nam comfy to bn;ld sfs,a and oraveI roads. I
and thew have anv ouant;tv "a both stone and
gravel in that countv-a townsbjn debit in
that comfy of nearly saOo0Op. ftbev build bv
townsh;na il mat co,,nntv, + vii refar n bnt
one to,wnsb;n for aaramn,a that of pleasant.
Thew have hn;,t seventeen miles az q total
cost Of sss.oOo for naymept a. which thew
bave ;ssnea bon,,s ~ a nav cont and with .
lew Of 4 mills On the dollar thew inst nav the
;nta;rast From this wo. cor oat op ;deo 90
their cost il this county where va have mai;
tber Stone or gravel Wbv 10 bn;,d anv
reasonable amount Of sucb roads would cost
AHA comfy &1oo ooO. ana I ask aua;n. Can
We afford n? a9 lnt4 a'5nItal -i4r
Mart. look NJ the un;ustness Of the law mn.
der which thew pronose to build these roads
Is Il inst and right that the ueneral tar-nav-
ers of the COUNTY sbou,d sustain sfour-f;fths
Of the cost Of these roads that onlv benefit