The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1891-11-26
Of day, then turned into anotheI."

Of day, then turned into anotheI."
There is, in homely phrase, good,
hard common sense in this and lots
Of it, though it refers to but one feature
of development, but this is the para
mount one. This line runs through
one of the finest tobacco regions in the
South, and this branch of agricultural
industry is growing into mammoth
proportions. Besides it touches the
border of immense forests Of the most
valuable timber that have never been
touched by the woodman's axe. The
whole region is one of the richest in
natural resources TO be found along
the Appalachian chain. In it is every
material for the comfort, happiness and
wealth OF man. Scientific men testiss "
to the exceedingly rich quality and
exhaustless abundance of its mineral
deposits, and capital is seeking its
invaluable treasures. Could all the
people living along this projected line
realize the vast sources of wealth that
lie all around them and the necessity
of the road for their development,
they would never rest until it was
built. Were they able they would
build the road themselves before they
would let the project fail,
We are satisfied that if the bond
question is unfavorably decided, it will
be through lack OF information and
that spirit Of greed and selfshness that
will not let dollar go out Of one hand
without seeing ten dollars going
straight into the other. Our observa-
ton OF the character of the opposition
has led to the formation OF this opin'
ion. We have talked with several men
who take no pains to inform them
selves and are opposed to the railroads,
because, as they say, they will carry
all the produce out Of the country
They are unaware of the fact that We
do not raise enough to supply the
home demand, and every year the rail
roads bring in vast quantities of west
ern -four, corn, bacon and beef, feed
ing almost entirely the population o
our cities and towns. Not being able
to feed ourselves we must depend or
our forests and mines for the means Il
supply the deficit, to buy our clothing
pay our taxes and school our children
Railroads alone can bring this natura
wealth to our relief and rescue. The!
must be built or pinching want anC
poverty is before us. Agriculture ha
failed us, and manufacturing is thu
only hupe of our salvation. In thu
boundless distribution of iron, Goa
timber and water God dedicated thi
country to the mechanical arts.
Another class of men who are oppos
ing county aid to the railroads ar
those who are all the time crying out
"high taxes" Be the taxes ever so low
they keep up the same old ding-dong
They are the selfish, greedy character
OF our population. They are NOR
than willing to avail themselves OF al
the advantages of public improvement
yet they would see the country go t
ruin before they would give dollar +
help build them. They say the road
will be built anyhow, and we can say
our money. Other railroads that hav
unbounded capital, must have thes
extensions and connections. Ate
they are completed we will use ther
) for our convenience and profit in NAL
ing them pay taxes to us, instead {
our paying taxes to them. Is such a
argument creditable to any man whe
the forces Of progress and enterpris
are striving to make this one of tn
gran lest and richest sections of tn
Union.