Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1899-01-07
SHOULD BUY THE BRIDGE.

Tolls are a tax, falling unequally
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.
1T 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,
1899 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, 100000 and if the expense of main
tenance were one half of the revenues
or as much as $15S0.20 it would still
pay per cent on $25, 900 the price at
which it can now be bought. How
many investments in the county are
paying per cent? Col. G. |. 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
ar in ~ to latf Of nv
from the Clerk eff the Circuit court
placed its value at $40, 10000 and
said if the county could buy it at $685.
100000 it would be a bargain that it
should not let slip through it's
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-
naming $2800.00, 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 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
$4,000 and its taxable wealth about
Sc, 200,0 900. 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 re-
duced rate of tax could be paid in
three years, including the interest on
deferred payments.
CAN WE AFFORD NOT no 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 depositors to
Waynesburg. Warrington and Fair
ulOhu' AllOWIuS INTEREST Oh UnlS
sum at per cent which is quite as
much as depositors get elsewhere and
reloaning it at per cent as the banks
would do, it represents a net loss to
the banks of 100000 per annum,
besides depriving the borrowers of the
county of the use of 500. 900. 90 for
which they would be glad to pay 6
per cent. This want of money on
crates to delay or prevent many i'm
provements, purchases and 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 asmall
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.