The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-08-24
The Three Dollar Road Tax.

A gentleman, q native of Abbeville Coun.
ty, while discussing the Three Dollar Road
Tax last Saturday said: "The prosperity
OF any community primarily depends upon
good schools and good roads.
We have neither and 1t is a shame upon
us.
We have never had good schools, nor
have We ever had good roads.
; Did we not have q comparative knOwl-
edge OF other schools and other roads we
would not make such q sweeping state
ment, but this we nave and so we stick to
the proposition.
Not long since an old darkey was en-
gagged in conversation with several Others
when the course Of conversation turned to
the Atlantic Ocean. The old fellow stated
his position succinctly and clearly on the
subject. He said: Il don't BELIEF dere is
any 'Lantic ocean; some fool niggers been
off yonder an wanted to bring some big
lie back here an fell on diss subjec' OF de
,'Lantic Ocean as bein' de mos monstro-
tious lie dey could hatch out! Furder-
more" said he, II amt right certain dere
is emmy SIGH place es Georgia yet"
When it comes to schools and good roads
we are just about in the position of old
Uncle Ben. We don't believe.
We don't believe that the prosperity of a
country in any way depends on good
roads.
I'VE don't believe other counties have en-
HANGED the value Of their farm land thru
the fundamentally Of good roads.
: We don't believe that other States that
pay five dollar tax get value received.
We don't believe that a negro who owns
foot Of land, but who is cutting ruts in the
road half the days Of the calendar year,
should be burdened with q three dollar
road tax.
We don't believe that a white maj who
owns a hundred acres Of land and two
horses is able to pay two dollars additional
to what he already pays.
We don't believe that the Supervisor is
doing his. best to build up the roads and
! bridges Of the county.
We don't believe that gasoline will pull
scrapes as we'll as mules.
We don't believe there is enough rocks
in Abbeville County to macadamize the
roads Of the county.
We don't believe we would get the tax if
we should vote 1t.
We don't believe in voting bonds for the
next generation to pay out of the en-
HANGED value Of property.
We don't believe that experts tell the
truth when they say that q mile Of good
road saves to the county in traction power
and vehicle repair, q road Of average
travel, ninety-one dollars and twenty-five
cents in twelve months!
We don't believe that any civic pride
should be allowed to influence US to build
roads equal to the roads in other counties.
We are just like Uncle Ben. We don't
believe there is any such thing as the At
lantic Ocean and re are not certain at all
that there is any such place as Georgia.
A few are raising a hue and cry against
the three dollar road tax, but when the tax
Is voted and the roads improved, then
these will be glad that the tax was voted.
The three dollar tax is coming. 1t Is COM
ing because
1t Is an equitable tax, 1t falls on all alike.
It is a necessary tax. We cannot have
roads without money.
1t is not a burdensome tax. All within
the age can pay 1t.
1t Is a popular tax. The majority Of our
people want it, therefore it is coming, and
we will have. better roads.