Milford chronicle., 1913-05-16

pet the benefits without paying tax
Commensurate with the advantages de-
rived. The owners Of the land bear the
burden Of taxation and, IS the burden
bearers. should have voice in the max
ing Of that burden without being classed
as an ''imbecile' on an unworthy per
son in the community. am warranted
in claiming that the gentlemen who ap-
peared before the Levy Court IN oppo-
sition to said petition were the peers Of
those who favored it.
The taxes that have been collected, IT
they had been properly applied, would
have given US system OF roads tar
better than we now have but the peo-
pie S money has been wasted and is still
being wasted and taxes are increasing.
The rate viii soon be so high that the
farm lands Of this community will not
be able to support it.
We have a right to protest against
any laws, or system Of taxation or
method Of spending the public money.
This is our inalienable right and we
should not be classed as insane if We
exercise it.
You will naturally claim that the I'M
proved roads will increase the value Of
the farm lands. So win the Levy Court J;
and the assessors will say the same. so
there will be an increased assessment
and higher rate and the owner gets it
between the eyes again while the county
editor spins along IN his automobile,
enjoying the hard and level roads which
his 'imbecileV subscriber has paid for
and is laboring to maintain.
I am in favor Of good roads and when
say good roads, do not contemplate
such roads as have been built from Mil
ford, in each direction by our present
Kent County Levy Courtman. These
roads have not been a benefit to any one
except the few who furnished the ma
terials and did the work. No increase
in valuation of adjoining lands can be
claimed from these roads. If such roads
as these are to be continued. every tax
payer in this county should rise up in
all his strength and demand the dlscon
tinuance Of the waste Of their money.
The question Of good roads is one of
the most vital to the farmers of any
community, but it is surprising how
little they appreciate it. The farmers
should be compelled to put wider tires
on their wagons and should pay tax
more commensurate with their use for
the roads. Lumber wagons (string
teams) and traction engines should pay
a special tax and should be prohibited
using the roads when they are thawing,
either in the spring on winter. Log
wagons and traction engines do more
harm to the roads and bridges than all
other traction business besides. Road
overseers % allow the teams that are
hauling for them, to double track roacs
until they are impossible for ordinary I
traffic; and I have seen them ruin three
times as much road as they improved.
believe that all farm lands adjoining
public roads should be fenced and thus
prevent the plowing and narrowing Of
the roads after they have been put in
repair BY the public money. This is an
evil that the road Overseer is supposed
to attend to but he is afraid of bis pop
ularity and therefore Winks at it.
If ] am correctly informed, there are
now more petitions before the Kent
County Levy Court than can possibly be
taken care Of in the next ten years. If
this is the case this road business is go
ing to assume proportions that are going j
10 be q menace to the county. To carry
put the provisions Of this Act through j
but the county would mean county
1ebt that the next hundred years would
not wipe out This is a new piece of
legislation. not tried, and viii have to be
.red with q great deal Of apprehension.
lhe men who helped to make this new
aw were no wiser than their constitu-
ants, and there will be differences of
opinion as to its practicability.
Let Us be patient with one another,
lven though we differ in opinion.
Very truly yours,
p. 7. CARLISLE, JR.