Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1903-05-14
THE ROAD BONDS.
Practical Discussion of This Important
Question by Judge Pryor.

si~~'SNf S'OSuoolVh W iHio tulpVIAdul
Question by Judge Pryor.
Mr.. Editor:
In this paper it is my desiIe to pre-
sent to the citizens and taxpayers Of
Marion County some information touch
ing our public roads and the Road Bonds
as proposed.
In the beginning | make the state
ment that it is far from my intention or
purpose to mislead or blind any one, or
to persuade any one to do or act con-
brary to his own conscience and reason.
We recognize the fact that we live in a
civilized country, and good roads are an
important factor to civilization. They
are coming just as sure as we are here,
and we need not try to ward them off
any longer. Why not begin in our
time? We are standing in our own
light If we do not N AXE some audable
effort to make better roads To build
roads 1t requires money, and the money
and labor that is expended on the re-
pairing of our roads under the present
system is waste.
To build our roads as they should be
built will require some ready money,
and we have not got it on hand nor will
we ever be likely to have enough at
any one time to do the work as it should
be done. Suppose we had the money
hau % 10 H.,
invested in good pike roads in the next
two years, the interest that we would
lose on this money in the next thirty
years is an item to be considered when
we argue that the interest on the Road
Bonds will be more than we are able to
bear for the next thirty years.
Why is it not as as long one way as
the other when we look at it along that
line?
As to the Road Bond Bill have this
to say about it. have read it through
carefully and studied its different feat
ures, and am frank to say that believe
it is all right and should be accepted at
once. 1 doubt very much if one could
be drawn that would give us any better
protection and relief. l can see no Sc
rious objections in it. Those who are
afraid of it, only get scared at it for
reasons cannot understand.
have been making some inVestiga-
tions OF the records in regard to what
has been done for the roads in the last
few years. l find that the taxpayers
have paid in cash in the last twelve
years over $35, 900. have made an es-
innate OF the labor used during the
time mentioned, which is as follows:
Estimated number of road hands annu-
ally is 1900; number of days, to the
man, which is equivalent to 1900 days
per year. This valued at 75c per day,
placed the total valuation of the labor
expended every year for the last twelve
years at $67, 800 so you see that the la
Dor is an item itself The cash and la
Dor estimated makes the sum Of S102-
500 in twelve years, an average of S.
541.OO per annum. This is not far from
what you have been doing, and do not
doubt, in the least, that many have
never realized it, You know that you
have been paying heavy tax all along
and absolutely getting no roads.
Now we will give you few items in
regard to the cost of the bonds,
The face of the bonds is to be $780,
900, the interest on the same will
amount to 1892, 500, and this added to
the principal makes the sum of S2S2, 500
which will have to be met in thirty
years. The average to be met yearly
would be S9,415, which you see is not
as great difference as some would have
us believe.
We have been expending almost
enough to build the roads, and where
are the roads? They are in worse
condition than they were twenty years
and sure to remain so just as long as we
continue in the old way.
To carry the proposed bonds it will
not require more than 40c levy on the
500 worth OF property at present rate
Of valuation, and the Taxpayers have
been nearly doing this. The total road
levy last year was 2Oc, which is near the
amount that will be required to carry
the bonds, and in addition to this there
are other sources from which the road
tax is collected. have prepared other
statements which are too lengthy tc
publish, and will be pleased to ex
plain to any one who wishes to call anC
get such information as can furnish.
With full understanding of thu
question, for and against, l do not be
lieve there are many who would oppos'
the measure. II we were more full o
public spirit, it would help us to under
stand the question better We have
been wanting in this kind Of spirit 70
long time, as any one can see in pass
ing through our county. The building
Of the steel bridges in our county is al
exhibition Of little effort on the pas
of our people in the past 1t was done
and the tax payers hardly knew Of It
and they would not exchange them 70
what they cost with big interest. Ou
peopls should not be contented wit
GOOD bridges alone. 1t is necessar
4 h. assH