The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-06-08
ID. McEACHERN.
chairman

An informal discussion of the pro-
posed budget and levy developed the
fact that the tax value of real and per-
sonal property in the county is IS. 10o.-
O0O. 90. The question as TO the valuation
of property was asked by Mr.. II. c.
Mcqueen.
On motion Of Captain ]. NJ Nc
Gowan, the budget and tax levy as
recommended by the board OF commits
sioners was unanimously adopted.
WANT TO ISSUE $50. 900 ROAD NJ
PROVEMENT BONDS.
Mr.. McEachern asked the magis-
trates for an expression of opinion as
to the advisability of procuring an act
by the legislature at its next session
empowering the board of commission
ers of New hanover to issue $50, 600
worth of bonds TO be expended in the
permanent road improvement. He re-
ferred to the circumstances under
which the previous election held on
this question went by default, despite
the fact that the great majority OF the
people throughout county are heartily
in favor of such a bond issue, and
said that he was sure that the issuance
OF this amount of bonds in a lump
would be far better than raising. say.
$40, 600 a ear for, say, five years. He
estimated that the improvement to the
roads which would be made at once
if the bonds were issued would enhance
the value of property not less than
$4,000, and by making a 5-per cent
levy instead of the 10-per cent levy.
as now, the interest would be paid and
the bonds liquidated in twenty-five
years.
Mr.. F.. A. Lord opposed the issuance
Of bonds on the ground that it would
make the road improvement cost fully
twice as much as it would if the direct
tax was levied and the Improvement
paid for as made.
ance of the bonds, SO that the o inn
provement needed could be made
and let the future generations who
would enjoy, in a great measure, the
benefits, pay part of the cost. He in
sisted that the improvement of the
county roads was one Of the most cry
ing needs of the city and county With
the present road conditions it is, he
said, practically impossible to develop
the agricultural interests Of the county.
Mr.. D. j. Fergus, of Masonboro
township, said that the people in his
section were practically without roads
save a few trails over the sand hills;
that he had endured these conditions
for twenty-five years and was heartily
tired Of it, and the people Of his sec
ton were clammering for better roads
which the bond issue would give.
Mr.. Marcus w. jacob also made a
vigorous n earnest appeal for the
issuance of the bonds. He referred to
the rapid strides being made in road
making, and consequent internal i'm
provement in Mecklenburg and Other
counties. He thought the $50, 900 bonds
would provide ample funds for estab-
fishing good roads throughout the
county, and the bonds would certainly
be in good demand at good premiums
Contain NY ID nlIhor, -o;I Tho
judging from the numerous advance
requests for bonds which were to have
been issued some months ago had the
road law election been successful. he
was sure the bonds would command
81 or 4 per cent. premiums.
Mr.. 0. M. Fillyaw spoke forcibly in
favor of the bond issue, saying good
roads was the greatest need of the
county,.
A motion by Mr. NJ w. jacob, tc
the effect that it is the sense of the
magistrates of the county hat the
commissioners shall take such steps as
may be necessary to have the legisla-
ture enact, during the next session, a
law which shall empower the board OF
commissioners to issue bonds to the
amount Of $50, 900, the proceeds from
the sale of which shall be used in per.
manent road improvement, was enthu-
s~iastically adopted, there being only
one vote cast against it.
Action endorsing the bond issue was
the last business before the meeting
and the magistrates adjourned, having