The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-01
Don't Try to Get Even, Life Is Too
short,

short.
Is that policy which small boys call
getting even" a good policy to be en-
ployed in the management of public af-
fairs? Is it wise or business-like to spend
$4,000 in improving roads in a section
J where there are but few residents, In or
der to get even" when in an adjacent
section the numerous farmers, land owners
and residents must continue TO pay tolls
| upon a shell road which can be bought
and made free for 5000 to $4,000? 1t
seems that a negative answer to both
| questions must be given by every UMPIRE
| JUDGED citizen; yet that is what the coun-
ty commissioners are doing, Phey are
building improved roads in a sparsely set
tied section at heavy cost to the tax-pay-
ers, while an improved. toll road in a well
settled section is offered TO them at NOM
inal cost.
THE White Bluff shell road, by reason
of its having been hardened many years
| ago. is now -thickly settled by prosperous
farmers, who ship large quantities of
truck and vegetables by rail and steamer
All of their products must be hauled over
the toll road. and pay a tribute TO the
owner of the road. In the run of a year,
as will be seen, the tax upon the enter
prise and industry of the farmers on this
road amounts to a considerable sum, In
| addition to the taxes which they pay to
the state and the county. The county COM
missioners have il in their power to give
immediate relief to these double-taxed far
mers, by buying the road and abolishing
the toll.
1t is said that one of the commissioners
claims it is against the law for the county
20 purchase toll roads, or that there is no
law under which the county could acquire
such property and that. therefore. the
board OF commissioners cannot buy the
White Blum road For the information of
the public generally. and the board of
commissioners especially, the Morning
News will say that there is law author
izing the commissioners 60 purchase either
or both Of the toll roads in this county.
OF course the owners OF the White Bluff
shell road made the city OF Savannah pay
very large sum Of money for the piece
Of their property within the city limits
which was taken to extend Bun street.
and the Morning News thinks now, as il
thought then, that the sum was much too
great; but the price was the Judgment Of
a legal tribunal, and that settled the mat
ter. Moreover. that transaction, like "the
flowers that bloom in the spring" has
nothing 20 do with the case" under con-
slderation; IL Is ancient history, and should
not call for retribution or revenge. The
| living question is. shall the people OF the
county and especially those living on the
White Blum shell road, be forced to con-
tinue 20 pay a tax for the use OF that road.
when it can be- bought for less tnan the
county paid for putting down Augusta
gravel on Esull avenue and a mile Of the
| Waters road?
| II 81 said that revenge Is sweet" but
sometimes it costs the party who seeks
IL more than 81 Is worth. We should look
at matters OF public concern In a civilized
ana busincss-iike way. From this point OF
! View. IL seems that the best thing the
county commissioners could do would be
10 hold a meeting and make the owner OF
1.-THE White Blum road an offer for his prop.
orty, Tie says he Is willing 20 sell n cheap.
ly and on time. II he IS ready TO do that.
the commissioners should buy a. and buy
| h quickly The people are tired Of toll
roads. hut they viii have to wait several
years 10 rct free roads II they are forced
20 depend upon the freezlne-out process.