The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1915-04-16
WHY OPPOSE THE BOND tssUE

WHY OPPOSE THE BOND t9aUE
There are about three arguments
and only three which We have heard
alylncel against the bond issue for
good roads.
First, it will raise the tai levy TOO
high which is already as high as can be
carried.
Second, drainage should be provided
first because good roads cannot be
built until first we have proper drain .
age.
Third, the proposed bond issue OF
100000 is inadequate to gu!ld the
conte nplated system of man HIGHWAYS
ana the result would be that favored
section of the parish would geta cool
road while the rest Of the parish would
be taxed to pay for ii.
We believe these Arguments are
fairly stated ana are lied up)r bYI
most of those who are opposed to the
proposition,
Referring to tine first argument
above we appreciate the tact that many
believe that the tax rate is high. We
believe however taat we have never
heard of any place where people did
not complain of high taxes 1t doesn't
make any difference how low I AeS are
we are all inclined to feel that they are
high.
An article is high in proportion to its
rarely, commercial value or IN proper
ton to its usefulness to us. We once
saw a race hocse valued at 100000.
That horse looked to us like it was
little hig h priced compared with
horses we had been used to seeing but
the owner of this horse doubtless de.
rived this amount from this particular
animal every sea ON, 81 in proportion
to the income derived from the horse
possibly the animal Was really cheap
We are told that the mountain rock
Gibraltar situated as it is stands as the
most powerful protector OF the nteg.
rity of nations. BY reason OF its
peculiar location aud otfucture, it de
riveS its iucllculable value, and is a
priceless heritage to the eastern
nations Situated in the Rockies o i
North America it would become com,
mon place.
So it is in the matter Of the cost OF
good roads. If the farmer can haul
three times the load on a good road
that he can on 4 bad road, thus say
ing his time, saving the wear and tear
of his vehicles and saving his horse
flesh; If the farmers land IS increased
from $500 to $1,000 per acre in actual
commercial value; If the farmer can
have more comfort and convenience in
reaching his school, church and market
it occurs to us that the cost OF good
SIS is cheap. Then again. 100000
ed loose in this parish for the
ding OF these roads is not to be
Ssed over lightly. A very large part
6f the work would no doubt be done b..
4 the people of the parish and large
part of this money would 90 to them
for LABOR A larger part would be
turned loose for feed stuff, for proV
Sions, and other necessarieS for carry.
ING on the work. AS matter OF fact
most Of the entire amount of money de
rived from this bond issue would fine
its way Immediately to the ordinary
channels OF commerce in this parish
thus bringing good substantial era
of prosperity to the people OF the par
ish instead of proving burden in the
way OF taxes. Then again our parish
is so peculiarly situated with respect
to It's fertility Of soil and milduesS of
climate and so inviting 10 the home
seeker that d good system of public
highways just now in this particular
parish would o4 of priceless value tc
the community because Of the particu
lar opportunities just no before us.
We shall reserve a consideration Of
the second and third objections unit
ano'her sue. We a 0a glad to see
sen inc II strongly cristalized il
favor u TIE proposition.