The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1907-07-25
JUDGE MCDONALD
EXPLAINS POSITION

EDITOR LABOR ARGUS:-
In view of the fact that there has
been considerable discussion of the
proposition to issue three hundred
| thousand dollars of, Kanawha county
road improvement bonds and there
has appeared to be a disposition on
the part of some persons TO place the
question before the voters in a false
light. I want to briefly point out the
position of the county court in it's az
ton on authorizing an election to rat
| ify or reject the proposition.
| his as well as former county
courts have recognized the absolute
futility Of attempting to permanently
| improve the county roads with the
rneagre receipts from the regular levy.
The demand for permanent road i'm
proVcment comes from all sections
| OF the county and has been of such
| long standing as to create a senti-
ment in the country in favor of Il
movement that will have for it's ultt-
mate purpose a system of permanent
road improvement that will afford re-
lief to those most affected.
In proposing this bond issue the
county court has sought to throy eve
ry possible safeguard about the proDo-
sition, and we believe every obiec-
tionable point has bcen met and COY
cree III the papers and proclamatiOn
as prepared by Hon. George e. Price
and approved without material change
by the court.
Objection has been made because
the court thought it proper to subst-
tute the names of three other gentle
men as commissioners named in the
proclamation for those proposed by
the chamber of commerce of Charles
ton. Without detractinG in any man
nor from the splendid character and
ability Of the gentlemen named b.
the cabinet of commerce, two Of whom
are residents of the city of Charles
ton. and one citizen of st. Adams,
the court felt and believed that in
\ proposition Of this magnitude af-
feeling the rural districts and resi-
dents of the country outside of Char
lesion, representative citizens of the
country districts should have due
consideration when it came to the Sc
lection of the commissioners named
in the proclamation.
The court, therefore, selected
Mcssrs. 1}anniSter. of Cabin Creek dis
trict, and Johnson, of Poca district.
representative and honorable citizens
Of two of the most important magis-
terlal districts in the county, and Mr..
who should by reason of his long ser
vice and ability, and does have the
best knowledge of the road situation
or any person in Kanawha county
The character. honesty and probity
OF the gentlemen NAMED has never
been questioned, and their reputation
throughout the county is of the ver,-
best.
In order that the public may be
convinced of the utter imDOssibilitv
OF any graft or extravaganza Green.
ing into the proposed expenditure, |
simply ask for careful reading of
Tire proclamation, rs prepared by Sen
ator Price, and approved by the cham
Der OF commerce. 1t expressly pro
vides how the contracts shall be adj.
vcrtised and let to the lowest re-
sponsiblc bidder, that not more than
one hundred thousand dollars shall
be expended in any one year. that tho
unused finds shall draw interest, that
there shall be perfect accounting
of every dollar expended that the
funds shall be expended only upon
established county roads in short
there is not a loOpholc to prevent the
expenditure of cvcry dollar of the
funds secured. and it is the opportuni-
ty of lifetime for the people of I[a-
nawha county to better their condi-
ton so far as permanent road build
ing is concerned.
In conclusion | want to say that tho
county court, acting upon what an
Neafc0 TO be an almost universal de
mand for the inauguration of Il Svs-
tenn of permanent road Improvement
for the county of Kanawha, has pro
scented to the people for their APPROX
al what it believed to be a fair. in
telli@ent and straightforward prOpo.
SiiOn. Safeguarded most carefully
and prepared with every consideration
for the interest of those most affect
| ed If the people ratify the prOpoSi.
| ton it means DaSSible rQaGS for tI11
| country people. and a great boom to
| the business interests OF Charleston.
SO far as the court is concerned
we shall use all honorable means to
| secure the success Of the proposition
and If 1t fails of ratification. we have
lone our duty. and those responsible
for its rejection will be known.
JOHN S. M'DONALD