El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-01-15
Protests At Levee Bond Issue

AGAINST THE DYKE BOND ISSUE.
Finlay Texas Jan. y. 1912.
On FL Paso county. y miles from
FL PasO).
Editor FL Paso Herald:
have noticed with interest the
discussion of the proposed bond issue
for. the purpose of building another
roadway along the river south of FL
Paso, and, having discussed the matter
with several OF my neighbors, feel
called upon TO express our opinion OF
the matter.
It appears to US that the proposed
road would parallel a first class road
that now answers all the requirements
for the time being. in fact it is not
commended by anyone that II is needed
for a road but for levee. If so il is
unjust to the remainder Of the county
so badly in need of roads, to bond for
this new one; again IL will parallel
the road already built and will be an
injustice TO other parts Of the county
which have no road at all. 1t appears
TO US that it will benefit a very
small part Of the county ut the expense
Of the remainder. which is unjust
Let me say that all of US are
heartily in favor Of bonding for good
roads for the public. not for private
good roads. Most OF US came from
east Texas, where there are miles Of
good roads in one county, Jefferson.
we have seen lands on these country
a.
80 TO so and 500 per acre, the ad-
vance being much more than the cost
OF the roads. and all attributable 10
the good roads.
We would heartily favor a bond is
sue of half a million for building a
first class road across the county from
east to west and from north to south
for public use. not for private dyke
We believe that the enhancement in
land values would more than equal
the cost Of the road. not to speak
of the tremendous good to the county
from an advertising point and from
general utility.
Let me relate a little road history
The law requires. Csee Art. 1874 Re
Vtsed Statutes of TeXas). that The
county commissioners of each county
shall see that at least one first class
road Of the width prescribed by law
is laid out and opened from the
county seat Of their respective cOun-
ties on the post direct route to the
lines OF their county in the direction
Of the county seats of each adjacent
county Until this direct law, which
is mandatory on the county commits
siOners, is complied with, we shall
oppose any other road being con-
structed, especially an unnecessary
parallel road.
Reminding the county commission
ers Of the above mentioned law, about
six months aSO several of my neigh
bors prepared and presented to the
Ilrst class road he laid off toward
Van Horn. county seat Of CulbersOn
county. This petition was referred
to one of the county officers to be
reported on later: so far it has not
been again heard from, but the county
officer has HAD only six months to
report All that time we have had
TO public roat at all. The reason
given tor not taxing active steps to
comply with the above law was lack Of
funds, ana although the road is re-
qUired by law and is for the good o.
. the whole county, no steps were taken
to procure the necessary funds. quite
IN contrast with the haste in the pres
enl case when very few influential
citizens decide that they want a pub
lir road for privsie use BY the way.
the above mentioned county officer.
VINO was appointed as a committee six
months ago To- see about the above
meAuoHet road. appears to be active
in favor of the private public road
under discussion.