Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-10-14

assessment only sixteen cents the towr
will have sufficient revenue to NEE
its current expenses, pay the inter
est on lis bonds for water-works, anC
create sinking fund that will take
up the bonds in ten and twenty
years; and after all this is done the
town will still have left six hundred
dollars year to eXpend on its streets.
Now, concerning this est innate
which l am fully prepared to defend
and substantiate, please notice two
things. First, it takes no account of
the revenue the town would receive
from the water, which would be
considerable and greatly lessen the
assessment. Secondly, it does not
take into consideration the decrease
of the debt by just one half at the
end of ten years. AT the expiration
of that time the amount previously
required for interest and sinking
fund would be reduced one-half, and
the assessment would be correspond
ingly lowered. In other words this
estimate of siXty-siX cents is an out
side figure. The assessment would
not be more than that, and would
probably be less. Is this assessment
exorbitant? Will it be load un.
der which the people will stagger ?
BY no means. Many other towns
throughout tho State are carrying q
much heavier assessment and the
people are not oppressed. They do
not object to any reasonable assess
ment that is laid to the general good
Of the torn. They do not grumble
at public improvements, because
they recognize that every dollar ex-
pended thus will come back to them
with interest. No town to-day can
reasonably expect enlargement, or
the expansion of its business inter-
ests, that is unwilling to take the
necessary steps TO attract population
and trade. And town that is I'M
willing even to take steps for the
protection of its own property will,
in accordance with the great law of
the survival of the tittest, sooner or
later be buried beneath its own ashes.
Let us not fail to vote on next Sat.
urday, and vote intelligently. Let
the public spirited citizens of the
town get out of their sick beds, if
need be, to go to the polls. No ques-
ton of equal Importance has been
before the people since 1 have lived
here. With a good system Of water
works, not only will our insurance
rates be reduced, but we can reasona.
bly, expect increased population and
corresponding expansion in the
business interests OF the town. Lew
isburg offers superior advantages as
a summer home, and it is steadily
developing and growing in favor as
an educational center. Nothing will
so much develop these interests and
at the same time conserve the highest
interests of the town as an adequate
supply of good water. Let us have
it. We have talked long enough
let us act. 1t is mistake to assume
that to be prudent we must go slow
We can be cautious, and yet act
promptly; and the situation calls for
promptness. 1t is especially impor-
tant to remember that the vote next
is simply upon the ques.
ton of water works, not upon the
place where we are to get the water.
An affirmative vote will! merely au-
thOrize the Council to take steps for
a plant not to cost over Sl3, 5OO.-l
an adequate supply of water
be found nearer than the river, the
cost will be less. Some think an ade-
quate supply can be obtained within
the limits Of the town. If so, let us
have it. Let us celebrate Christmas
with water works.
II. l.. TELFORD.