The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-06-11
The CITY BOND ISSUE
WE HAVE REACHED A POINT WHERE WE
CANNOT STAND STILL.
Mr.. Drewy, Chairman of the Street Committee
Gives Reasons Why Raleigh Should
Voc for Street and School Bones.

The following letter written by Mr.
John C. Drewry sets forth the argu-
ments in favor of the bond issue which
will be voted ON tomorrow:
NV Dear Sir: | desire to appeal to
vm1 TO again assist us i'm the movement
which has for its purpose the building up
and Improvement of our beautiful city.
You can add to the progressive spirit
which is giving new life and vlgor to
orr town by voting favorably upon the
bond issue which will be submitted to
The voters ON the 10Th day of June. 1t
is more essential that you should stand
for good streets and good schools now
than ever before. The street commit
tee made promises in regard to the last
bond issue which we have cndcavored to
faithfully perform.
We make the same promises again,
viz: 10 divide the work on the streets
equally between the white and colored
races and to see that the money IS not
confined to amy one particular section
of the city, but is scattered over the
city in every ward so that each ward
will get its proportionate part, as far as
possible, consistent with the general
good of the town We have tried to
conduct the street department upon
strictly business principles, and l have
never attempted to influence the political
faith of any ONE connected with our de-
partment. but have cheerfully accorded
to every one the right to vote as ne
thought best The same methods will
be pursued in the future If the bonds re-
ceive q favorable vote. We have reach
cd a point in the progress of street inn
provements when we cannot stand still.
We must go forward in order to reap the
benefits which will result from the work
which has already been done We are
in the attitude of man who has cons
menced house and has ii half finished
He must proceed with the work and put
on the roof and give it the finishing
touches in order to enjoy the comforts
and conyemiences which will naturally
result from his labor
We have the improvements ON our
streets we'll advanced, and we must pro-
coed With the work and finish. it in order
to protect what we have already done
| Taxes were not increased by reason of
| the last bond issue. and we do not be
lieve they will be increased on account
of this issue. This Dis not a political is
sue but one of public policy, and we
think that all good citizens ought to
stand together in one solid phalanx to
push forward this progressive movement
which will not only improve and bllild
| up our Capital City. but will add to
| its prosperity by giving employment to
many who are idle but earnestly seeking
| labor.
| 1t is believed to be true that the say
| ing in repairs to streets paved with thds
money and the revenue derived from the
enhanced valuation TO property and new
| improvements. viii more than pay the
/ interest ON the bonds and meet them
| when they mature, so that instead of in
creasng the taxes. in n short time our
taxes may be reduced.
| The spending of one hundred thou
sand dollars on our streets will put our
city in Il fine condition. 1t will give EN-
ployment to. several hundred men and
will benefit every man i'll the city.
Raleigh has smaller bonded indebted
ness than almost any city of its size in
America. We append a table showing
| the Indebtedness and tax rate of this city
! as compared with n number of cities OF
like Importance, prepared by the worthy
City Attorney, the Hon. r. T. Gray, in
1889, which, even then. showed every
comparison most favorable to Raleigh
And while the other cities may have
gone on increasing their indebtedness OF
4 their tax rate, neither of these has been
the case with Raleigh
Respectfully submitted.
JOHN G. DREWRY,
| Chairman Street Committee