Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-02-16
THE ECONOMY IN BONDS

of Sumter county, the people of the
county have an excellent opportunity
to economic in their expenditures for
public expenses. When the people OF
the county get this idea clearly IN
mind they cannot fail to vote for
bonds when the bond election is held
next month.
The issuance of bonds is the most
economical system that could be de-
vised for the purpose of lessening the
expenses now borne by the county n
its bridges and culverts.
The principle is simple one and one
which every citizen of Sumter county
not now conversant with the facts
should be familiar with.
Under existing conditions the people
of the county are paying each year a
high rate of interest on funds used to
repair the county's bridges and cul-
verts, a large per cent. of the bridges
still being wooden ones. This expense
is necessary under the present condi-
tons, as the wooden bridges are con-
stantly needing repairs. The issuance
Of bonds would change these conditions
by making possible the immediate con-
of iron bridges wherever
needed and by lowering the rate of in
terest paid on the money borrowed.
Isn't that simple enough? Isn't it
readily comprehensive to any one that
money can be borrowed on bonds and
in large sums such as the bonds will
call for at far smaller rate of inter
est than it can be obtained when only
a small sum, say four or five thousand
dollars, is obtained at one time? That
is the simple principle that the county
will apply to its finances if the bond
issue is voted upon favorably by the
people of the county Otherwise il
must go on paying excessive charges
for repairing wooden bridges each year
The term excessive charges" Is
used to apply to the present method q.
repairing the county bridges and cu'-
yerts because of the fact that the mon
ey now expended in this manner, am
crnting to about $1,000 per year, g
borrowed at a very high rate of inter
est, almost twice as much as will De
paid if the bond issue is carried though
1t is as low rate as can be obtained
on such small amounts of money. If
ne bond issue is carried the construc
ton of modern steel bridges and cul-
verts should at once reduce the cost Of
repairing these bridges to at most 49,
600 per year. That is one saving that
is made, and it comes Immediately,
too.
Then there are other things to be
taken into consideration. The con-
struction of modern bridges and cul-
verts should practically put an end to
the numerous minor damage suits
which are being constantly brought
against the county as the result of its
wooden bridges, which are very diff
cult to keep in repair. These suits are
rather numerous and are more expens-
ave tiidu OitC W no is NOT tdulilidT WIFI
the minutes of the county commission
ers' meetings would think.
The satisfaction which the county
would feel in being thoroughly abreast
of the most progressive counties il
the state is worth great deal, though
that element cannot be represented ex-
actly in money. 1t would mean much
wider prestige fer the county and Il
much greater advertisement for its ell
terprise and aggressiveness, all If
which things have a genuine business
value in advancing the interests of the
county and it's citizens.