Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1915-05-06
HIGHWAY
CONVENTION
Adopts Minority Report for
$4,000 Bonds or Special
Tax Levy
UNUSUAL EXCITEMENT
OVER ISSUE
Principal Roass to Receive
Benefit, With $4,000 Ex-
ira for Dixie High
way.


tended, people turning ont from all
sections Of the county, and the enthus-
iasm, one way or another. waxed tre-
lnendous. There was oIatory aud yell
ing. and sometimes the yelling went
into sbrupt ciies to "sit down" or
.'shut up.', and some speakers fOund
it useless to proceed.
The whole thing was the result of
AN effort to fasten heavy bond debt
on the county. SO as to pledge the
BUILDING of the Dixie Highway from
eni to end of the county. 90 miles
Ali wanted the Dixie Highway, but
they did not want any tremendous
debt, and If they failed to show 1t. 1t
was not their fault, as far as making
noise was concerned. The "hillbil-
lies" were vehemently rough, what
ever that means
The meeting was called to order in
the court room by s. Fl. Haskew,
chairman pro TEN. The chairmanship
was made permanent, and A L.. Rob
erson was elected secretary. The
court room was filled to utmost capac-
city, ana j. G Kelly moved that the
meeting adjourn to the court yard, as
there we're az many more who desired
to attend. This caused considerable
debate, but when put to vote was
carried by a large majority. This vote
showed in the beginning the feeling in
the convention against the bond issue
for Mr. Kelly was known to be oppos-
90 to $3.50. 900 bond issue. although
AN automobile dealer.
As soon as business was resumed In
courtyard, on motion Of j. j. Dykes,
committee on resolutions was APP
pointed as follows: w. M. Cameron,
W H Cline, E. 81. Barker, 8. a
Alexander, G.. Sherman, Jas. Wells,
N. B Moore. During the absence Of
the committee, which was for a con-
siderable time, speeches in the inter-
est Of the highway were made by
Judge Davis. of Tullahoma. and
Arthur Crownover. Of Winchester.
These two speeches gave insight into
the work of the various counties In
the Western division, and also that
Marion county was behind in the
movement Mr.. Crownover said be
believed the government would take
over the Dixie Highway in q few
years and maintain it. as the feeling
was spreading that money spent on
roads was benefiting more people than
money spent in dredging rivers.
Richard Hardy. president OF the
Dixie Portland Cement Co.. then ad-
dressed the meeting. He laid down
the axiom that he would not vote for
one cent for q dirt or macadam road.
and was for bond iBeue OF from
$500, 600 to $500, 600. The crowd was
getting little impatient now, and
John Minter, one Of the hillbillies, in
A short but fiery address, did not much
act like a safety valve. His claim
that 93 miles Of pike was promised
fov the $3.50, 900 previously bonded,
and only 30 miles secured, WAS receiv-
cd with yells His allusions brought
forth yells and cheers, and it was evil
dent tue hillbillies were ont IN force.
A, n. Rogers, Of Chattanooga, was
the next speaker, who argued for the
advantages of the road. ID A. Tate,
Of South Pittsburg. in Offering reso.
luton. said the corporations were all
for the highway. s. d. Rauiston.
kncmber Of the county court. debated
tnis point vigorously with Mr.. Tate.
alleging some corporations were not
paying sufficient tax. He referred to
the cement plant and the power plant,
and gave figures which made the mob
howl some more He claimed the
farmer on the other hand, paid as high
as 65 per cent while these corpora
tions were getting out Of 1t at very
low per cent Squire N. b. Moore, OF
Whitwell, spoke for bonds. Chairman
Hasksw, who is a lumber manufactur-
er at South Pittshuyg, attempted to
lraw q conclusion from the oorrowing
IL money for big businese schemes.
but the crowd would't pay much heed
to IL. Mr.. Tate's resolution asking
for efh0, 600 bonds was howled down,
While w. A. Barber, of Whitwell.
was speaking the committee on reso-
olutions appeared.
Mr. Cameron. Of South Pittsburg.
read the majority report. four of the
committee desiring to bond the county
fol 5 per cent. Of its valuation, or
$3.50. 600. The resolution also declared
for the 50-mile pike in Marion county.
per cent. of bonds to be spent on
main road from. ..Ketner's Gap road via
yhitwen, Victoria, Sequachee, Jas
per, and up Battle Creek, and per
cent. to be spent on mountain roads,
the former roads to be of concrete,
the latter of dirt or ebert 1t also
allied for the appointment OF twenty