The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-01-19

eager for even when they had to pay
heavy transportation charges to Sc
cure it. Clay and sand, which, it had
been demonstrated, were all the ele-
ments necessary for fine permanent
roads-leaving stone out Of the ques-
tion-the county had in abundance
!Surely, said he, if the alluvial section
i of the State-the section towards the
coast-could build permanent roads
when it was necessary for them to
go out and buy the material and ship
it in, Newberry could build them with
the material right at hand.
Permanent roads, said President
Sigh, had never been built except by
two means-the toll gate system and
property tax which has usually TAX
en- the form of a bond issue. The toll
gate system in this age was impracti-
cable. He favored a bond issue as the
only practical method of building per-
manent roads. Any public improve
ment that is lasting ought to be borne
by the generations which get the
benefit of it. It was not right for
the present generation to bear all the
expense Of building roads which
would last for all time, if properly
kept up. A property tax Of two mills
on an assessed valuation Of seven
million dollars would bring in only
$4,000 annually. A levy sufficiently
low for the people to stand it would
| not bring in enough to do anything,
and it would take a hundred years
to get over the county, and there
would be an eternal wrangle about
where to start the work. The only
way to consolidate the people was to
treat all alike and get enough money
{ to reach every section Of the coun-
! ty in few years. He believed $780,
900 would build exceptionally fine
permanent roads in Newberry county,
and he favored an issu. Of bonds to
the amount of 100000, which, hs
figured, could be retired in fifty
years with a two-mill tax, if a small
part Of the money now used IN tenn
porary work were added to the re-
venue from the two-Enill tax. The
bonds could be floated at not more
Ahan five per cent. interest, he said,
which would be $4,000 per year. A
two-mill tax would bring in between
$4,000 and $4,000. Add about $4,000
from the amount now wasted on tenn
porary work, so as to b'ing the
amount up to $l6,43O per year, and
the bonds could be retired in fifty
years, provided the sinking fund COM
mission which should be created and
placed in charge Of a sinking fund,
invested the. surplus, after paying
the interest On the bonds, at the same
rate Of interest which the bonds we're
drawing. He wanted to see some de-
finite plan submitted to the people,
and in order to get the matter before
the meeting he suggested this plan
to be voted on this summer, believing
it to, be tie best and most feasible
plan. The legislature could also name
the commissioners who we're to ex
pend the money, and the people could
also vote on these. if it was desired.
In reply to questions as to the cost
Of building a mile of road, President
Sigh said that in response to all his
inquiries he had been told that it de-
pended altogether Oh conditions, but
conditions were extremely favorable
in Newberry county and permanent
roads could be built throughout the
county, in his opinion. for $3OO.OOO.
Under ordinary conditions the aver
age cost was about $500 per mile.
At $4,000 per mile, however, $780,
600 would give 80 miles Of perman
emit reads in the county and this
cost was allowing a large margin.
| DR.. v. c. Brown gave figures
showing that. notwithstanding the
increase in the assessment Of proper
| ty. taxes had continually increased,
until taxes were higher now than they
ever had been. To issue bonds would
bo 70 cLon1dar y hurda,, tho np0n1p
would have to die out of. He be-
>lieved the first thing to have done
,, would have been to introduce desir-
able immigrants. Land might increase
! in value with good roads, but would
!! the ability Of the owners to meet
their increased obligations increase?
F. He referred to the labor question,
! .,,.;,,- +bo ro,1c conldn't y he hullt