The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1904-08-03
THE FREE = BRIDGE.

l6G s .SsssesA S1sS0G S'
We are not ia tu. least surprised
that the candidates for county Offices
have 90 far save one exception failed
to mention the free bridge question.
This question, in the first instance
should never have been made an
issue in political campaign; it's very
nature should have kept it out OF poll
tics. If bridge across Saluda river is
anecessity; if it will contribute to the
happiness, comfort and convenience
of the people, which We contend it
is and does, then the County Com
missiopers should have gone ahead
and built the bridge just as they would
have done over any other stream in the
county. Who ever heard before OF
the proposition TO build bridge be-
ing referred to the people in polits-
cal election for approval or rejection!
But a. it has been done in this in.
stance the proposition should be
thoroughly discussed by the candi-
dates on the hus.ings. All the light
possible should be thrown on the
matter, so that the people can inform
themselves as to the importance OF
the undertaking and what it means
for the progress Of Lexington county.
We believe that it is generally con-
ceded that the bridge is q public
necessity and should be built, but
there are many who oppose it on the
ground of paying the pittance OF taxes
necessary for it's construction, and
still others through indifference by
reason of their remotsness from 1t
consequently the probability OF their
never having occasion to use it:
As to the cost of construction we
take pleasure in being able to make
the statement that the County Com
missioners have received q PROPOSE
tion from a responsible firm of bridge
contractors to put up the bridge for
about $4,000, The actual value OF
all taxable property of the county, as
taken from the Auditors books is
S4,5OO,O0O. An.one mill levy for 3
years would raise $l3,500 OF this
amount the railroads, telegraph COM
psnies, and other corporations would
in round numbers pay $4,000 or one
third of the cost, leaving about S5,-
600 to be divided among the other
tax payers of the county, reducing
the amount that each individual
would be required to pay that many
OF them would pay the amount with
out knowing it, and surely our peo-
pie have patriotism and public spirit
edness enough to cheerfully do this,
when they are made to understand
the importance of the project and
what it means for Lexington county.
Besides this and aside from the
convenience to our people, az a mat
ter of economy solely, it would be a
sound business policy for the county
to build this bridge from the fact
that under the law the county is
compelled to pay the mileage and
ferrisges of witnesses in criminal
cases and of grand and petit jurors
while attending court. This annu-
ally amounts to a snug little sum.
It oftentimes happens that by reeeon
Of freshets and other abnormal CON.
ditions the river is impossible thus
forcing people attending court as off
GERS, to make circuitous routes, thus
greatly adding to the expense of the
courts, whereas, if there was bridge
at some convenient point this addi-
tional burden would be saved to the
taxpayers 80 that it would be good
investment of public funds to build
this bridge.
We will show other advantages to
come from the building of this bridge
from time to time until the election.
DR.. Tbos. B Mellow, of Charleston,
who killed Capt. F. ". Dawson