Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1913-02-07
DRAINAGE QUESTION
Some Valuable Points on Impor-
tant Question.
The CarroII COUNT Demoerat:-

The Carroll County Democrats
u The letter Of Mr.. j. A. Cole
man published in your columns
Of January 81, issue, strikes a key
note. While | do not i've ia the
county, | am keenly interested in
the drainage proposition.
Tn speaking Of the benefits to be
derived from having the bottom
lands drained for cultivation, Mr..
Coleman did not over estimate as
this land is undoubtedly the best
soil in the county, and would,
ander cultivation, produce won
derfal crops. Draining these
lands would produce two immedi-
ate results, either Of which would
Justify the doing of it.
First, it would more than
double the crop production of the
country. Second, it would reduce
the amount Of sickness by more
than half.
just think Of this for minute,
and then do some figuring. Twice
the crop product brings twice the
!. amount of circulating medium
into the county and / am sure
the county can stand that much
prosperity. Then think Of the
number of splendid citizens who
are yearly called away on account
Of sickness directly traceable to
the existance of these fever laden
swamps, not counting the number
of people who are sick and do not
die.
Mr.. Coleman asks for informa-
ton an three points, namely:
( Organizing a drainage district.
Federal aid.
State aid.
~ The last two propositions may
be eliminated summarily. 1t
4 would be impossible to obtain
federal aid and the aid from the
state would be inequitable and
should not be considered. This
leaves us the one proposition Of
organizing drainage district.
Iii such has not already been
done, there should be an act pas
sed in the state legislature which
would, upon petition of a certain
number Of people to the county
commissioners or other proper Of
icer, to permit the people in the
territory embracing drain ag
lands, to vote on the question al
of forming a drainage district, vi
of assessing taxes and OBJ of issu-
ing bonds for funds to carry on
the project. Then if the vote was
for the proposition the officers
would havs the power to form
district, levy taxes and carry the
work on BY d committee charged
with the duty and responsibility of
carrying the work. to completion.
Besides the two main benefits,
there would grow out of such an
undertaking many incidental ben
efits.
/. 1t would provide work for a
large number of people.
Q. Floating a popular bonded
loan would provide safe interest
paying investment for small saw
ings.
3. The money paid out for
labor and material would put
many rusty dollars into circula-
tion.
/. Last, but not least, the
county would spell its prosperity
with d capital p"
Now, dear editor, / do not know
whether this letter is worthy of
publication, but / think the sub
lect of drainage should be given
The widest publication and discus
sion possible.
In closing, / want to say word
about your paper. / think it is
wide awake, enterprising and clean
cut publication, which by keeping
its subscribers informed of things
of interest to them, has done
world Of good and which may do
more good in the future by adj
herring to the policy it has fol-
lowed in the past.
Yours very truly,
j. III. BILLBREY
VVaeb;n0ton II ~