The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-21

who had subscribed, OF q very largo
majority, refused to pAy their subscrlp-
ttons. "Thon there you were!" Tho
bridge was completed and tho builder
wanted bis money. rho subscribers
refnscd to pay, 10 the county had to
pay tho whole amount. Whilo | do
not dony that tho above was tho proper
and just way In tho beginning, still |
note the circumstanc - that Influenced
some OF tho Board, aud while thcy had
no right to Goalt tho Willingness or
ability II all subscr bcrs TO pay, still
there was u precedent at ChaDpcHls
that COZ Id not ho Rainsnyod, and thcy
feared that $1,000 would not be tho
end," Il Id instead It ,ould DO $2,50O.
Thos" who voted yea" had reasons
equally ~ good and strong. Thoy folt
IL was economy to b, lid bridge, bot
tor 80 70 for a stnc bridge that will
last tift ; or ono hnnGrcd years than tho
makcsl 1T Of free f,rry that will cost
tho COZ nty from 5000 to $500 por year,
and tn III havo no service. THAT II
would rcnd to tho building up Of our
towns nd county, II Mt It would bring
ito on county hunC reds and thousands
yearly n trade, tha' Taxpayers IN one
section OF the count arc rs much cut.
tied to considerable, and benefit OF tho
tax fu Il rs another, and should not be
discrin mated again st, ctc , etc.
I vo cd "yca" on conditions. The
county should be bonded for all public
tmpro' oments OF n permanon: nature.
The l. 'gislaturo, recognizing tho fact
that II good roads and bridges and
casy Ct mmunicatior to market depend
ed the prosperity of tho county, gave
largo powers to the County Supervisor
and tn ,ir County Boards. They auth
orized County Boards to bond the
county to within 8 cr cent. OF its taxa
BIO property for permanent improve
monte. Somo OF tho counties have
availcd themselves II this opportunity
and ar, now constructing good stone
road beds under he most improved
methods.
All permanent improvements, such
as court houses, jai.s, bridges over riv-
ors and now fordablo streams, should
not be saddled upon tho shoulders OF
tho present Taxpayers or even the
present generation. A structure that
Is to last or 100 years should bo paid
for In so or 100 years. Lot leach day
and generations pay It's pro rata Is it
supposiblo that tho great stone thor.
oughfarcs OF Rome, Greece, and Asia
that were from 20 to 80 years in con-
strnction and costing millions upon
millions and lasted for centuries were
paid for with one years collection OF
Its revenues, or even paid for as com.
pleted? BY no neans. How much
better for the county to bond $50, 900,
macadamizc her principal roado where
necessary, build steel or even good
covered wooden bridges with steel
abuttments or arches, and pay 81 900 |
with interest every year for fifty years,
and at tho end OF that timo have roads |
and bridges that viii be monuments
for hu ldreds Of yes rs to tho people OF
this G'y, than to continue to spend
from Il 800 to $4,000 per year on worth
loss In nber and dir, roads and at the
end Of 80 years no better off than at
presort. Why not bond tho county?
ls the any argum mt against it? viii
our progeny be less able to pay their
pro rata than we? Will they be less
able tc pay n yearly stipend to have the |
benef; OF good road and bridges dur
Ing cir and the children's lives
than 20 are today C ,mpelled to pay the
whole amount? WHAT wo will pay in
thirty years for In nber alone at last
years rate will be 4 1900. Take that
sum n w and put It upon the highways
at one and divide Tho payments in 30
Install nents and zee what we will
have?
d. A. DICKERr.
Suns hinc, 8. G..