The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1902-06-26
HALIFAX COUNTY FINANCES

Editor OF The COMMONWEALTH -
It seems that my modest suggestion
in late issue of your your paper has
stirred up some Of our county "officlals. /"
According to Mr. B. A. Pope, chairman,
ought to have informed myself as to
the state of the county finances. He
says that the county ex-
penses were actually reduced
last year $4,000. That the levy this
year is FIVE cents in the $4,000 lower
than last. Mr.. J. P. Futrell, treasurer.
says that am Of in my politics aud
finances, that the treasurer's books
show no such condition as stated by
nae. I fear these gentlemen are in
clfne5 to take somewhat rosy view
of the situation. Hereare some of the
reasons why think change ought
to be made in the selection of board
of commissioners
At the legislature OF North Caralina
1899 an act was passed authorizing the
commissioners of Halifax county to
issue coupon bonds of said county to
pay the Indebtedness thereof in an
amount not to exceed $4,000.
Chap. 535, Sec. Z, authorized them to
levy annually special tax Of not more
than five cents in the 500 90 worth OF
property and fifteen cents on the poll,
to provide for the payment of these
bonds. In 1901 the commissioners OF
Halifax county were authorized to
issus bonds to pay the Indebtedness
thereof, in an amount not to exceed
$4,000, hearing interest at six per
cent Acts 1901. Chap. 1913. At the
same legislature Chap. 60, the COM
missloners of Halifax county were
authorized to use the surplus funds
derived from the sale of bonds of 1899
! issue, for the annual and current ex-
pensss Of the county. I am informed
| that these bonds were issued for nearly,
! # not all, of amount authorized, and
! that they sold in the market at a
premium. Hero we have In the last
| two legislatures Halifax county asking
Tor $25, 900, or authority to issue
| bonds to that amount, with which to
pay debts and expenses of the county.
What assurance have the taxpayers
! chat the next legislature will not be
asked fer more? Is the county so
rapidly detefiorating that she can not
pay her debts and expenses without
resort to issue of bonds? / think not
The assessed taxable property in
Halifax county is greater now than
in years past when the amount levied
FOR taxes was sufficient to pay her debts
and expenses. A few years since the
ate DIR. w. r. Wood and his associates
On the board, with w. A. Dunn as
heir legal counsel, took charge OF the
missioners, paid the county debt
| md expenses without resort to issuing
bonds. Can it not be done again?
I still think that there should be q
change in the board OF county com,
:n.ssioners, and az there seems to be
objection to some OF the names / men,
i toned, politically and personally, ]
| will state that am not welded to any
purtlcular men, just so that they be
good business men that will administer
the affairs Of the county economically
and think the suggestion of "Ta1
Payer" in your last issue, that the
:lumb Der be increased to five men, from
different parts Of the county, a good
,ne. With such board I will be viii
ling to risk my reputation In being
''of In politics and finance" Mr.. Fut-
rel being the judge. S.