The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 1905-1908, 1907-09-12
COUNCIL ORDERS
BOND ELECTION
PEOPLE TO BE GIVEN ANOTHER
OPPORTUNITY To VOTE on
COLUMBUS, MEMPHIS &
PENSACOLA BONDS.
Second Election VIII be Held Nom
day, September 3Oth, and if
Bonds Are Voted Work
VIII Soon Begin.


VIII Soon Begin.
At an adjourned meeting Of the
City Council which was held on last
Wednesday night, an ordinance was
adopted ordering a special election
to be held on Monday, September so.
for the purpose of allowing the citf-
zens of Columbus a second opportun-
ity TO vote on the issuance of bonds
in the sum of fifty thousand dollars
to secure the right Of way into and
through the city and depot grounds
for the Columbus, Memphis & Pen
sacola Railroad This matter was
submitted to the people on the first
of August, but the State and county
primary occurred the same day, and
interest in the political contest was
so keen that many people forgot the
railroad election, with the result that
the measure failed to receive a suf-
f1cient number OF votes to make the
issuance of the bonds legal, and a
second election became necessary.
The law regulating the issuance of
municipal bonds to railroads and
other public service corporations is
very stringent, and in order for the
measure to carry it will be necessary
for every man in Columbus who de-
sires to see the new road built to go
to the polls and vote. The law stipu-
1ates that before municipal bonds can
be issued for the purpose of securing
railroad at least three-fourths of
the qualified voters of the city must
vote for the issuance of these bonds.
This means three-fourths of the reg
istered voters, and if a mans name
appears on the poll book and he
fails TO participate in the election it
counts just the same as though he
voted against the bonds. At the re-
cent election there were only about
forty votes cast against the proposed
bond issue, but large number of
qualified electors failed to participate
in the election, and by doing SO help
ed 10 bring about the miscarriage of
the measure.
Another feature that is militant
10 the scheme is found in the fact
that there are on the city poll book
the names of quite number of men
who have not resided here for several
years. past and who can't be expected
to participate in the election. They
pay their taxes here, however. and
under the law are qualified electors,
so that each of these names counts
as a vote against the issuance of the |
bonds.
Taking the above mentioned facts
into consideration, it will readily be
seen that if the bonds are to be is
sued every man who favors the
scheme must go to the polls and say
by his ballot that he wants to see the
railroad built. and with that end in
view is anxious to see the request of
the promoters regarding a donation
for right of way and terminal facil-
tiles granted.
To the doubling Thomases who
seem to question the ability of the
III OIl0tSlS u Ou4io tie 4Odds II ID /
only necessary to say that there is no
question about their financial back
ing. The scheme is being backed by
capitalists of standing in the financial
world, and all the money necessary
will be forthcoming. OF course it
would be bad policy for the promot-
ars to give out the details of the
plans which they have in view. but
officials of two of the local banks
have been shown documents which
prove beyond doubt that men of !
wealth and integrity are backing the
and that the road will GER
.ainly be built. j
When it was found that the bond ,
ssue failed to carry at the first cleo t
ion, operations were suspended, but
he promoters of the road have am
lie funds on hand, and in the event
hat the bonds are voted on Septem- t
,er 30th work will be resumed with 5
Il a few days from that date. It
Improvements at the Southern. Y
The material for the roundhouse Y
n he erected here by fha Southern / :,