Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1911-08-03
HOW TO OBTAIN
Good HIGHWAYS
Bond Issue Plan For Counties
a Remedy For Present Evils.
QUICKER AND BETTER ROADS.

Direct Tax Method Might Do For the
Time Being, but the lssuins Of
Bonds Will Insure Good Thorough
fares For Generations 20 Come
Many Southern Counties Using Plan.
A study of the problems connected
with the development Of our nation
has shown that we take Grst rank IN
civil government, manufactures. COM
merce and in the worlds affairs gen
orally. yet improved public road con-
struction. the one phase OF our Ameri-
can life upon which depend more
than any other the certain prosperity
and social comfort of large majority
Of our citizens. has been neglected to
degree that is almost beyond the
power Of conception, says Or. ]. n.
Pratt, state geologist Of North Caro-
lima.
The old method Of obtaining revenue
Tor the construction Of roads was by
levying q labor tax. which required
oil ablebodied male residents Of q
state between certain ages to work on
the public highways within their re-
spective townships for certain num-
ber Of days per annum. but In lieu OF
this labor they could pay certain
amount for each day that they were
required to work. While thousands
Of miles of public roads have been
built by this means. there are but
few miles Of graded or improved roads
constructed, and it is practically Inn
possible to construct system of good
roads in this way. If it does not give
good improved roads how can they be
obtained?
Public roads are public necessities,
and the benefits to be derived from
their construction in the various coun-
ties composing the state are not only
Of great value to each county. but also
to the state. Public roads are ready 10
serve all classes. they are common
property of all the people. and oil the
people have the right and privilege
to use them. Therefore why should
not all the people bear some Of the
expense?
To carry out this work to the quick
est and to the best advantage the
county should issue bonds in order to
secure the necessary funds.
It is fair and equitable arrangement
that future generations should pay for
g portion Of the improvements Of our
public roads, as they derive as great a
benefit as the present generation. Too
many have an idea that to bond their
county will mean very large increase
in their taxes without their deriving
any material benefits from their e1-
penditures. not realizing that the in
crease in the value of property and the
decrease in the cost Of the maintenance
Of the roads and the wear and tear
on horses, wagons and harness is 80
much money saved.
The issuing of bonds makes avail
able funds in sufficient quantity to
render possible the accomplishment OF
definite and desirable results.
They give almost Immediately the
benefit Of good roads, while the pay
ment for them Is deferred for many
years until the county has progressed
in material wealth to enable 1t to pay
the bonds without unnecessary incon
venience
They obviate the necessity for higt
road tax while accomplishing the re
. suits for which such tax would b'
levied
Let us consider briefly what 500.
600 bond issue would cost county:
In the first place. believe the bonds
could be sold as bearing w per cent In
terest. This viii mean that the interes
on tho issue Of 100000 will be $4.5oo pc
annum. It will also be necessary to pu
by q sinking fund to take care OF thes
bonds on maturity. Such q sum as 10 nee
essary can be put by each year at pc
cent interest and at the end OF forty year
will cover the bond issue. The amour
that 1t will be necessary to put aside eacl
year for this purpose will be $SS3. Thi
makes total Of 8. .l3S that q county vii
have to raise each year to take care o
this bond issue. This amount will not b
as much as 1t would be necessary to rails
by high tax. 3 cents to 30 cents. whicl
some counties have levied In providin
. the money for road construction. 0up
pose the assessed proDsrty valuation
100000. tax Of only - cents on th
! 500 would Yield uAo0o annually. whicl
would be sufacisnt to pay the interest o.
the bonds, create . sinking fund an
leave enough money. $lo.5O0 for the main
tena1eo Of the improved road and to kee
in repair the roads in the county that ar
not being permanently improved.
This twenty cent tax is small Ia:
for good roads work and II this ta
was levied without bond issue 1t woul
} usually all be spent In maintenance
of the roads without permanently i'm
} proving any. Of them.
If county or a township decides {
} try and raise the necessary revenu
ior good roads construction by diree
.ax on the 500 worth Of property