The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1885-08-03
MADISON COUNTY FINANCES.

At the request of a gentleman largely
concerned in the management of the
financial matters of Madison we publish
the following letter. We know nothing
of course of the merits of the subject.
though information given US at the July
term of the Inferior Court of the county
led us to infer satisfactory condition of
affairs:
Messrs. Editors AS the CITIZEN is the
fearless friend of the good citizens of
Western Carolina, all naturally turn to
its columns to express their feelings of
wrong or felt oppression. The finances
of Madison seem to be in very bad
condition and badly managed TO relieve
the good citizens of taxation, which has
been SO burdensome for some time and
still growing worse, without paying ths
county debt IN I56Ez the nissioneTs
of Madison became alarmed at the mag
nitude of the county debt and began TO
cast about in their practical judgment"
to release the county of the debt, and
concluded in their wisdom to pay the
debt in the space of three or four years,
which, of course, was wise and good
plan. For this purpose there was a spe-
cial tax levied to pay 1-3 of the debt the
first year, which made the Poll three
dollars, with every three hundred dol
lars equal to the Poll; but the people
thought if they could get out of debt
they would be satisfied, so they paid the
exorbitant tax in good faith. The
county debt is now from ten to fifteen
thousand dollars. In 1885 the commits
sioners met and the subject of taxation
again presented ITSELF Well. there must
be something done to help the poor peo-
pie who are paying such heavy taxes;
but what must it be, said the Honorable
Board? We will Issue bonds to cover
the amount of the debt, drawing inter-
est at per cent, and running 10 years
yes, this will be the thing to reduce taxes,
so we will proceed. Well, Messrs. ed
itors, we will say this is all right, and
very good, if our taxes had been bettered
but in the wisdom of the Board There
was to be another tax levy in 'S5. Now
| last year, they have bonded the remain
der and released the payment for 1C
years; but when they go to reduce the
tax according to their calculation, be-
hold they reduce from three to three and
a half dollars poll! Now, gentlemen, il
this is economy, my country save uE
from the opposite.
! Now, Messrs. Editors, let facts and
| figures tell the story. The county owes
I believe, about SIS, 900, bearing interest
at 6 per cent, which, in 10 years, will ~
$4,000, interest, nearly two-thirds of the
present debt.
Now, would it not have been better tc
/ have paid the debt in three years ano
saved the $4,000. INTEREST," Let reason
and good Judgment answer. The people
of Madison county could have paid out
of debt IN three years with all ease, Sc
the commissioners said themselves. Now
if this could have been done Why in tht
name Of reason did they not do it, ane
not bond the county in order to pacify {
ring who has always monopolized tht
money interests of Madison county
through its commissioners, and burdeneC
the good people of the county with th'
nine thousand dollars interest, which
will 90 down deep into the pockets o.
the bondhelders? The commissioner
of the county bonded, not because it i
better, but to have the people pay $1,000
: which they do not owe. The bondhold
: ers said the tax, in order to pay the debt
would be too heavy and the commission
: ers said they could have paid outin thre
i wears and not raise the poll above So
and now they haYe bonded and the pol
is $3.50. Why not have paid the deb
at this rate? Because the ring and
radical or two said it would be too hare
must desist, though reluctantly. ]
the above economy? Isit justice or hor
est? Is it working disinterestedly2 Is
right for people to submit to such high
handed fraud as this any longer? Th
! whole people Of Madison county wi
rise up in mass and say it is not! An
they say right. remain,
WALTER.
u: r,ua~I- N n Ay0A4at se5