Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1904-01-13

mers and tourists will be henfitted and
spared while the residents will have N
oe denied their usual yearly pass and
pay the regular rate, which will be three
or four times greater than their usual
rate, in order TO have a sufficient amount
OF money to keep their pike in good con
dition. Even with the present rate of
toll, this year the Berryville and Win
chester Turnpike Company had TO raise
all amounts paid for yearly passes 20
per cent to enable them 10 meet expenses.
IL does seem strange how such a reform
ist can persuade certain class Of peo-
pie 10 believe that such reforms are
right and just TO themselves. but II il
just this class Of people who are in the
majority and do not think for them
selves, that such a reformist will get i'm
the swim with and be elected 10 office
There has never been any expression Of
approval Of this reformists legislative
work in the COURIER except in articles
signed PRO Bono Publico." the writer
OF which must be in the SWIM, although
there has been much expression Of dis
approval.
Messrs. Editors, in your last weeks
issue of the COURIER. in replying 20 A
letter TO you from "Greenwayv Of the
previous week, I think that YOU fail 10
give a single fact that is likely i'm the
least to establish your assertion. You
merely reassert yourself thus. we sta
ted that we believe that the brid-es
would be. worth $2j 600 to the county
every year. We do believe this. and we
believe that an increased land value and
consequent Increase in taxation. an in
crease in business drawn from bevond
the river, with the accruing profits 10
the merchants on this side. will prove II.
We confess that we believe good roads
viii be worth still more than that. 90
l will agree with YOU that If the bridges
are built there will be a decided increase
OF taxable assessment on all land east of
the river. A. these people arc the ones
urging the building Of the bridges. IL is
claimed it is mostly for their benefit. but
az this one point only do agree with
you. do not believe that these lands
can stand any higher taxable assessment
with bridges than az the present time
without them. And now. Messrs. Edit
ors, think these people as a whole are
working very much against their own
Interest 10 want all their lands assessed
from one-half 10 double the present as
sessment, and besides this. add 10 IL the
bridge tax levy and then their tolls upon
the bridges. Now. with this heavy in
crease OF expense on these lands. the
bridges viii not add in any way TO the
fertility of the soil, Of which nine-tenths
Will not produce enough TO pay for the
/ plowing, If 10 can be plowed AT all 80
certainly there are no products 90 be
transported over the bridges. The few
river farms on that side have a ready
home market for their surplus. There Is
certainly no minerals 20 transport. no
lumber, very little sumac. and IL like the
Wood would De forded over when the
river should be low 10 save the toll. be-
oaHse most certainly these people do not
rush with their work. and Will prepare
their wood. etc. and bank il until they
csn ford the river 20 save bridge toll.
Now with young cattle being taken 20
and from pasture, Spring and Fall. far
mers will pick a convenient time 10 ford
them, so the best use see the bridges
would be put 10 with these people would
be for the boys and girls TO carry over
their whortleberries.
Now as TO the "accruing profits" 10 the
F merchants on this side-I can not see il
If the bridges develop nothing new ex
cept an increase of assessments and m
extra bridge-taN levy on top OF il. =,
why will there be any more inducement,
for them 10 80 TO Berryville oftener Il
they have less proht from their land
suppose, though, ii will be TO cross o.,
a line bridge 10 carry in their increased
taxes 10 our very courteous and pleasin.
/ Treasurer and hear fine story from hi.
neighbor. Now think the bridges {,
these people will soon be TO them as th,
new toy engine Is 20 the boy. as soon "a.
the NEW and novelty wears away. the,
will look al them and wonder why the,
did not get along without them. as tie,
had done very we'll so long. and wish G,
keep back their yearly increased take.
for them which will be on an averar,
ten times the amount they ever paid in
ferriage As to building bridges. Il
would be just as wise for these peopl,
90 carry the same principle TO the homes
mortgage their lands. tear down theil
frame and log houses. build large. hand
some, fine houses, buy fine horses and
carriages. build fine. large barns. Will,
they have barely enough income from
their lands to pay the interest on the
mortgage
You confess that good roads over the
county will be far better than bridges
l think you sre right but you say tC
. turn aside from the bridge Questionwoult
he backward step. I will say not b>
taking up the good roads question a
least II you were out quail hunting
and had gathered in a bag full of sap
suckers and red-headed woodpecker.
would You not throw them all asid,
when finding your quail, and not bein4
able TO carry both: II you will have 81
that 1t Is a backward step l Will befor,
YOU lay a conceded great and generalisti,
tactic: 1t il far better to make a good
run than to make bad stand" This /.