The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1899-01-11
ruary Term of Court.
SHOULD BUY THE BRIDGE.

| 1OllS are d Tax. idlfiuS uHcqudiI9
upon the people of the county who
have already been taxed to build
bridges all over the county, and are
again taxed by tolls to get to their
county seat. They must come here as
suitors, jurors, witnesses, to correct
erroneous assessments, probate wills,
settle estates, qualify as guardians,
personal representatives, transact
banking and other business. The
bridge should be free, and the county
alone has the power to buy and make
it free, as all other bridges, and all
county roads are free.
IT Is WORTH THE PRICE.
We have seen the treasurer's book
OF cash receipts for the first nine
months of this year Ito December, 81,
1888 and it shows that the tax on
travel is at the rate Of 1890. 40 for
the year, or more than 6 per cent on
$50, 000.0 90 and If the expense Of main
tenance were one half of the revenues
or as much as $1580.20 it would still
pay per cent on 1925, 900 the price at
which it can now be bought. How
many investments in the county are
paying 6 per cent? Col. c. l. Nc
Donald the U. S. contractor for build
ing the locks on the river, man of
experience and good judgment, dis
interested. and very familiar with the
bridge, its condition, amount of travel
etc. in answer to letter of inquiry
from the Clerk of the Circuit court
1 II @a at nd
said il the county could buy it at $685.,
900. 90 it would be bargain that it
should not let slip through its
fingers.
WHO PAY THE TOLLS?
1t is estimated that not over ten
per cent. OF the tolls are paid by nom
residents or strangers. OF the re-
manning $1,000. 90, about $4,000 are
paid by Morgantown and the east
side citizens, while at least $4,000. 90
are paid by the tax payers Of the west
side, who are compelled to use it.
CAN WE AFFORD TO BUY?
The county is out of debt; the last
dollar of the Court House debt has
Just been ordered paid, and the money
| is in the treasury to make the pay
ments.
The bridge can be bought on such
terms as to time of payment as may
suit the court, long or short. The
cost will be less than $3.50 per capita;
the population Of the county is over
IS, 900 and its taxable wealth about
So, 200, 900. Without increasing the
county tax one cent over the levy Of
1898, the whole amount could be paid
In two years and half, or with a re-
duced rate of tax could be paid in
three years, including the interest on
deferred payments.
CAN WE AFFORD NOT TO BUY.
1t is estimated that the banks OF
this county lose in deposits over $780,
100000 per annum by depositors of
oil money, coal money, and otherwise,
by the tolls which drive depesitors to
Waynesburg, Warrington and Fair
mont. Allowing interest on this
sum at 3 per cent which is quite as
much as depositors get elsewhere, and
reloaning it at 6 per cent as the banks
would do, it represents net loss to
the banks of 100000 per annum,
besides depriving the borrowers Of the
county of the use of 800, 900. 90 for
which they would be glad to pay
per cent. This want of money OPP
crates to delay or prevent many i'm
provements, purchases aud business
enterprises.
The merchants, manufacturers, and
dealers in grain, flour, feed, and cattle,
suffer loss, and the whole county sees
its money go elsewhere and purchases
made in all branches of business in
the adjoining counties. Toll is small
thing, but it has driven trade and
business away enough to buy the
bridge and pay for it every two or
three years, in addition to the amount
of cash toll paid.
The tolls are source Of irritation
between the country and the town,
partly from feeling that it is unjust
to tax people to pay for bridges and
for county roads and then-tO pay tolls
in addition in order to get to the
county seat. and partly from an erro-
NOUS idea that the town is RESPONSE
BILE. In truth the town has nothing
to do with the matter. 1t would
gladly see the bridge free, but it can
not and ought not to buy the bridge
and make it free, but the citizens of
the town will cheerfully pay their
full share of taxes to enable the coun-
ty to buy and make the bridge forever
free. The bridge is private property
and those owing it ought not to be
expected to sell it for less than it is
worth.
From these and many other con-
siderations we feel convinced the
county court cannot afford to refuse
to buy.
| THE PEOPLE EXPECT IT.
Two years ago Mr.. Sine was NOM
mated over the sitting member of the
Court. A. B. Price, upon his expressed
pledge to buy the bridge and make it
free. But for that pledge freely made
he would have been defeated by Mr..
Price. Last year the issue was clearly
made and Mr.. Harner was nominated
over the sitting member, j. @. Price,
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