The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1913-02-15
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
Correspondence


Editor True Democrat:
At the risk of being called unpro-
gressive, desire to enter a SOL
cmn and emphatic protest against the
plans on foot to involve our people
in a general scheme of taxation for
fancy roads and bridges.
We are told we are in a rut, and
in order to get us out of the rut we
are to be put in another, and very
much worse rut
Prosperity by taxation is something
new under the sun.
Taxation that has ruined statesmen
wrecked thrones, and bred revolu-
tons, is treated very lightly by our
road and bridge enthusiasts.
Every taxpayer knows from exper-
fence that bridge, road and court
house building on credit, is the
worst possible investment a people
can make.
The homely adage of pay as you
go and then you won't owe" is a
mighty good rule, both for public and
private expenditures.
Parish taxation has been at high
key for twelve years, in order to pay
for past follies. Now, just as we are
about to get some relief, we are
asked to indulge in another and
even worse folly Give US a chance
to take long breath or two, gen.
tlemen.
Our people are in no condition to
continue the present high rate of par
;sh taxation. The revenues from Our
lands do not meet current expenses.
When this is the case, taxation means
confiscation.
Our enthusiasts tell us that the
lack of system of fine roads and
bridges initiates against immigration.
Any one who knows anything, knows
full well that neither bad roads, bad
bridges, or any other encouragement
will keep people from settling in a
country where the possibilities for
profitable investment exists.
Actual facts with us demonstrate
the truth of this statement. Hhe
prospective buyer Of the Converse
place was not discouraged from Ouy-
ing because of bad roads, but because
of the high price. He contended,
and justly so, that since he could
utilize but half the area contained in
the property, he would be paying
$50 per acre instead of SIS, and that
the land at $50 was too high.
A gentleman who has recently
moved among us, told the writer the
assessments on our lands are Excess
sive
These opinions do not tally with
the heated imaginings of our progress
sive road and bridge builders.
Now, gentlemen, let us get down
to facts, and not indulge in fiction
| and bombast. You can no more bring
prosperity to our land by taxing the
people to build fine roads and bridges
than you can fatten berkshire pig
by putting a diamond in his nose.
The only true, safe, and logical
way to help the situation and en-
courage immigration is by lowering
both the assessments and rate of par
ish taxation, and allowing the people
to build their own roads.
The plan adopted recently by the
people of the second ward seems to
be the proper solution of the prob
lem. BY complying with the formali
ties as contained in the statutory
law, this plan can be established in
ever! ward, and the roads thorough
ly worked by the people without in
reference from high priced inspec
tors or other over-lookers.
The right Of the people to organ
ize their wards into road districts il
clearly defined in Article 291 Of tht
State Constitution and no amount o.
quibbling or hair splitting can depr!v
them of this right AS for the bridges
they can be built at a later date, Of
built as toll bridges by companies
organized for the purpose. =.
| Whatever plan is decided upon, i
should be placed before the people
for ratification or rejection, at Al
election to be held for that purpose
4 Looping off of all useless offices
taxation lowered to four mills; as
} sessments lowered Is per cent; tn
people to organize in their wards IN