Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-04-11

An Ohi0 County Farmer Gives HIS views
on Proposed Levy for County Roads
and Bridges-
naS EInOs IN R4giar.
Sra: Would you kindly give me an op-
portuniiy in your paper 20 answer some OF
The arguinents OF those psrsons opposed 20
the appropriations by tne Board OF Com
m-issioners ior county roads and to give, IN
my opinion, the countrys side of the ques-
ton.
In the first place, it is our opinion that
the Board is body OF men elected by the
ciuzeus Of the county to represent the whole
county and take an oath to that effect.
But q few appear TO think that they are rep
resenting the city alonesand do not take
into consideration the tact that the countys
interests would suffer by unjust legislation
IN favor OF the city. While we sympstize
with the city in her financial troubles, the
county ought not to be asked to let her roads
60 TO ruin for the patty sum appropriated
by the Board.
Secondly, we do not think the city in her
POSITION is consistent. How often has the
county been asked to vote money for rail.
reads and to my knowledge has done so to
ire amount Of several hundred thousand
dollars; now if the principal is good as sd-
yaneed in support Of those roads and the
citizens Eant to be consistent theyshould be
in favor of good county roads leading into
the city in all directions. And l might,
right here, call TO remembrance the food,
which only a little over q year ago divided
Us one from the other. 1t appears to me
that l heard q wish expressed then that u
roads would soon be opened, and when they
were opened the country cousins came in
with all kinds Of provisions, which they
were glad to give TO the needy.
Thirdly. We claim that good roads equal
ICES prices to the consumer. Why it is a
fact that cannot be controverted that the
small towns around US which have more Of
country around them in proportion TO size
than Wheeling pay in times OF bad roads
twenty per cent. more for farm productions
than Wheeling does with her p~assa6le roads.
In fact they have to draw on Wheeling very
often for their surplus.
Four,hly. The merchants are always
Glad 10 get our trade. / expect they make
very often in one bill what small sum they
a for benefit Of roads. The grocer most
II makes q double profit selling our produce
| at an advanced price and getting a profit on
The exchange Of groceries for our produce.
Filthy. If it is to be the order Of the
day that the country outside Of the city Is
10 make her own roads we ought to have
back the wealth the city has taken from US
BY extending her limits from time to time
as she has done for the express purpose OF
increasing her revenues to the detriment oil
our Why, there cannot be a mill built in
the county but what the c!ty's arm is not
extended lovingly to draw it in.
Now as to the argument that the coun-
try does not pay her proportionste share OF
road moneys. Twill say this: we pay more.
While We pay our proportion of the taxes
we pay q toll on these roads which amounts
to considerable. | can show toll receipts
which will average fifty dollars
q year. Besides we have to
work two days on roads each year. Then
when we 90 to market the city charges us
thirty dollars a year for use of stall and
twenty-five cents for privilege to get to the
stall, which money goes to keeping up her
s rse's and alleys.
One member of the Board asserted that
this msuey had been given cheerfully year
after year. Now, l wish to correct that: it
always received opposition; the kick was
only a little more vigorous this time.
Now, in conclusion, Mr. Editor, | would
say this: let US be more liberal. one with an
other, in helping one another. We only
help ourselves. Do not let US in this pro,
greesiye age take any step backward;
rather, let US put more blood in our veins,
more spirit 10 our enterprises, and BY so do
ing overcome al obstacles. and With in
creased population and wealth march on to
prosperity and take our place (Which we
should have had long ago. with the largest
cities Of our country. PROGRESS.