The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-07-25
Haywood Co., July II, 1899.
GOOD ROADS BY THE GRADU.
ATED TAX SYSTEM.

CORRESPONDENCE O1 4AC EGOkGOSc4NCG -
notice the communication written
by my friend, Mr.. Geo, e. Boggs, in
The Progressive Farmer of July 4th,
on the subje ct of good roads, and with
him I rejoice that there is even a rift
in the bad roads, cloud that has 80
long hung over the people. When we
lcok abroad at the wealth Of the nation
that somebody owns, I cannot help but
say think what a shame it is that
the wealthy as we'll as the poor con,
not or will not sea what a Wondrous
benefit and wealth a veIy high class OF
roads would bring almost Immediately
to the country"
When I know this I also think what
a great matter the graduated system
Of texation would be as relating togo ID
roads. SuppcSa that under that sys
tenn Haywood county would conclude
to spend 5000, 900 in the next Eve years
improving her road system; that mat
ter would resolve itself about as fol
lows:
Suppose she heg 400 miles Of read
way to build, 5000, 900 would give En-
average of $500 per mile. Suppose the
county issues her bonds to the govern
ment (under the system as previously
given in The Farmer) for 5000 600, pay
able in equal annual instR ailments (aftor
five year1 within 80 years, with inter
est at one per cent The payments
would average about s., 600 per annum
after FIVE years. None but citizens OF
the county should be employed to do
the work under overseers as directed
by a county civil engineer. The greater
part of the work could bo done at times
most convenient for farmers and all
laborers Of the county to employ them.
selves at it.
Thus within five years, and before a
dollar of tax is to be paid, the people
will have earned and distributed among
them 5000, 900, or abou $40 per family,
and most of the money would then
have found its way into the hands Of
more wealthy Of the county. At the
end of five years the people would find
themselves in possession Of the lest
roads Of any county in North Caro-
lima.
Then every man who should haul
over the good roads" would begin to
reap the ''per cent. saved in his haul.
referred to by Mr.. Poggs,
Every man who should haul any
thing to or from market would begin
to save money, besides the great con-
veniencs and pleasure to everybody of
good roads," Not only so, but a good
many renters and laborers would be
made able from the money they re.
ceived in building the roads, to buy
little homes. Also, we venture to cay
that the value Of all the lands Of the
county will have increased more than
5000, 600 in the aggregate.
But pay day" comes after five
years and now for the application Of
the graduated tax on all the wealth Of
the country to pay back the money.
Those who have but little will pay
but little and those who have mc1t will
pay most and be benefited most in the
increased value Of property already
noted. Industrial or working people
will not be burdened or weighed down
with tax, even as they are now; while
the increased wealth Of the wealthy
will make them abundantly able to
pay it,
II Mr.. Boggs, as he states-'the good
roads in the fall saved me (nim) fully
800 on the potato crop of one year,
was helped so much on the potato crop
what would be the great amount
on all the crops to all the people of the
countryi Why an hundred persons in
the county being benefited as much as
he was could alone cheerfully pay the
whole 5000, 900 with interest, in %
years and never feel it as a burden,
but would realize it as a great benefit,
It would furnish work for 300 spare
farm aud other lsborers one hundred
days each year for five years at good
pay, besides having $50, 900 left for ad
ditionRl work, engineer service, sur
veying, %culverts, little bridges, &c.
Therefore, under the graduated sys
tenn OF taxation the matter of making
good roade," not only in Haywood,
but in every county, could be easily
accomplished.
SAMUEL ARCHER.
Mica. N. g.