The Hazel Green herald., 1891-06-26
TIE NEW CONSTITUTION.

THE NEW CONSTITUTION.
Several months prior TO and during the
session of the last Legislature in this
State, THE HERALD made an appeal for
State aid to build turnpike roads through
this section and succeeded in getting a
bill introduced for that purpose. Our
course was endorsed by all the thinking
people of Eastern Kentucky, aud, in
deed, throughout the State, where Others
were not prejudiced against this portion
of Kentucky. The bill referred to failed
to find favor with the bluegrass bloods,
notwithstanding that they originally had
State aid for the very same purpose that
we asked it, and thus the matter ended
for the time But all acknowledged that
it would be good investment for the
State, as our counties could thereby soon
be rendered revenue returning and after
a few years-twenty at most-pay in as
much revenue in proportion to popula-
ton as any section in the State. In a
word the idea was getting the popular
favor and would sooner or later have
become law. Those who read our arti-
cles during the six months preceding the
assembling of the Legislature will re-
member that we took the ground that
inasmuch as other sections, and much
wealthier ones, had in times past been
assisted by the State in building turn
pixies, il was only justice to our section
that we be aided the same way. This
course would have required on the part
of the State the working of the convicts
on our thoroughfares, which is certainly |
much better than leasing them to specu-
lators in labor, and altogether more
humane than to keep them confined in
prison. So, looking at it from any
il would have been the best |
thing for the State and the States inter
ests. But, If the new cOnstitution(?) |
should pass there is an end to all our fond
hopes of State aid for turnpikes, and
death blow to develop.
ment, for that instrument contains a
clause prohibiting the working of con.
victs outside the penitentiary walls.
Not only this, but it also prohibits the
State from hereafter taking stock or aid
ing in the construction of turnpikes
1t is fine thing for the favored sections
to build up public highways with State
aid and then say to their poorer neigh.
bors, "This thing has got to stop. If
you people of the mountains want pixies
why build 'em, but at your own expense.
True, the State did aid us when we
needed help, but we have grown rich by
reason of good roads, and lest you do as
well we'll checkmate you with our new
constitution(O." Practically, this is the
though not maybe couched in
the language as quoted, and that it is
" dog in the manger" principle every
one must see. Now, can the people of
the mountains of Eastern Kentucky
afford to vote for an instrument that
does them such great injury? Can or
will they by their votes strike the death
blow to that development we 80 much
desire? The answers to our queries will
be given in August, on the first Monday
in August, If you please, and they will
be in emphatic terms. We appeal to
every man who loves his country and
who has the manhood to demand his just
rights to cast his vote against the new
constitution(?), and if he does not do it
he can never expect his land to be worth
to him. aside from an actual living, the
taxes he pays upon it. Down with the
instrument that destroys all prospects of
prosperity in this portion of the State,
and let every mountain mothers son do
his duty on election day.