Mexico weekly ledger., 1901-08-22
BONDS AMI ROCK ROADS.
DR.. ]. B. Hawkins Presents His Side
ofthe Case-Might Start in With
Salt River Township.

To the Editor OF the Ledger.
MEXICO, Mo-, August 1e.-In our
article Of last week we had rather
promised ourselves and intimated as
much to the public that it might be
our last, for the present, at least. But
we have had to grasp the hand Of 50
many Of our fellow-citizens Of the
county and city who have congratu-
lated US on the stand taken for good
roads, and assured us that they were
in hearty sympathy with the plans
suggested for the building Of them.
And finding that we had provoked one
Of our editors at least to speak bis
mind, by giving some Of his reasons
for opposing the project. Glad that
he has the courage OF his convictions,
though In my judgment his argument
is fallacious. And as an apology for
continuing this discussion, we give
the answer Of an old preacher, whose
congregation objected to the length of
his sermons. He said that it took
much talk to learn some people a
little.
The editor Of the LEDGER says be
has always opposed and has made many
fights in the county and city against
issuing of bonds, etc. Well, that was
all right in its time and place, but
time and conditions change, and we
hear Of some people whose minds on
certain subjects change, and some who
never. The issuing Of bonds by the
courts in the interest Of railroad and
other corporations, back In the post
bellum days, calls up unpleasant
memories. That is true, and the
eating Of sou grapes set the teeth Of
the children on edge, since which
time it has been the practice of GER
tain men to harp continually on the
evils Of bond issues, ETC., and If you
want to see one Of these fossilized old
fellows that have grown gray and
wrinkled, bow-legged and box-ankled,
under the severe exercise Of hating
like David did his enemies with a per-
feet hatred, lbow their backs like a
tom cat and spit the venom of tobacco
juice ON the granitoid walks, just say
'bond the county," and you will
throw him into a conniption fit that
will take all the bone doctors in the
country to straighten out his dis
torted anatomy. Oh, myl No won
der, Mr.. Editor, that so many Of our
time-serying public men steer clear of
this subject, and like the small boy
passing the graveyard in the night,
whistle a little plaintiye note TO keep
his courage up.
The LEDGER editor says he is salts
fed that this doctor Is honest In his
advocacy Of good roads, etc. OF
course he is; who said he wasn't? We
are for 1t, whoever is against IL, and
feel able TO defend the cause against
all corners. He is thrice armed whose
cause is just. II we have done moth
ing more we have got the people to
thinking seriously on the subject.
Several OF the business men Of Mex
leo have said to us II half the money
that has been spent in the city and
county had been applied, judiciously,
under a wise supervision, every road
in the county could have been rocked,
and the people reaping the benefits.
These are stubborn facts that can
not be gainsld, that is potent to any
thinking mind. And we ask polntedly
are the people willing to go on in this
way, spending the money for the next
twenty Of thirty years to no good re-
suits; or win you call the people to-
gether In mass-meeting and appoint a
committee Of good, sound, conserva-
tive men to take the whole matter
into consideration and agree on some
plan, whereby you may at least get
some real benefits for the money and
time expended on your streets and
public roads.
1t has been suggested by several of
our citizens that it might be better
to confne our first efforts to Salt
River Township, including the city of
Mexico.
Wei, we agree to that. Anything
for a start in the right direction.
Hon. Mr.. Kennen kindly pointed out
the law on the subject: Article 10,
Section II. Revenue and Taxation
Constitution of Missouri permits
county or township, by assent Of two
thirds the legal voters, voting at an
election held for that purpose, to make
a bond levy.
So you see the law Is very plain; the
law also provides that the bonds
shall not be issued for a longer term
than twenty years.
Under these conditions the town
ship, including Mexico, could be bond
ed for about sl19, 600. That amount
Of money spent wisely, under the
supervision Of good men, would do
more in building up the agricultural
interest Of the township and the
business interest Of Mexico than any
thing Of which we are able TO con-
.cafva inst NJ this time This would