Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-10-15
THE FIFTY MILLIONS AMENDMENT.

The voters Of Grccnbricr are IL
ware already that on the I'd day OF
November, proNimo, they will be
or rejection of a proposed amend
ment to the Constitution of the
State authorizing the Legislature to
bond the State in the sum of $780,
100000 for road Improvement. the
object being TO connect with i'm
proved roads all the county-seatS
of the State. The object is a good
one, we admit, and we hesitate TO
oppose it. Having, however, care
fully considered the proposition we
cannot see the wisdom of departing
from that wise policy established
by our organic law which forbids
the Legislature from contracting a
debt on behalf of the State. The
old commonwealth of Virginia has
been struggling for many years UNI
der a burden of debt much of which
she contracted for internal improve
ments rs or 100 years ago. The
debt finally became so heavy that
the old State was forced to rcpudi-
ate a large part Of ii. and having re-
funded the balance, is yet carrying
debt Of $2O.OO0,O0O with its an
nual interest. leaving West Virginia
to assume her equitable proportion
OF the old debt which the Supreme
Court of the United Staes finally
fixed at about $4,000, 900, which we
were forced to assume and which
we are now carrying with its an
nually aCcruing interest.
Would it be wise in us to amend
our constitution in this regard and
authorize the Legislature, easily
controlled by impulse or party poll
flies or nisled by designing men, TO
run the State into debt? Recalling
the experience of the Mother State
We must answer. no.
But the overwhelming argument
against the proposed amendment is
the burdensome debt of fifty mil
lions which it would fix upon the
Stale and the many difficult qucs-
lions that must inevitably arise a.
lnong the counties. many of which
have already virtually completed
their main highways. Must these
counties be taxed to build roads al
ready about completed or TO build
roads in distant counties?
+. A. Dover, Chief Auditor and
Accountant of the State Tax Com
pensioners Office, calculates the in
tcrcst to maturity on the proposed
$3O,O00.0OO bond issue at S38,-
75O,00O making a total of $3.50
QUO. To get the total of our indcbi-
cdncSS we must add in our S13 .OUO,-
900 of the Old Virginia debt making
DIR debt under the amendment,
$9l,75O,O00. Based on the present
assessed value OF property in the
State, to pay the road debt of $685.
100000, Mr.. Dover says. would ne.
ceSsitatc levy Of Sc. on the 500 or
would take III of the assessed
value OF all the property in the
State.
With the aid we are getting from
The State and Nation we are making
good progress on our roads now.
why, under such condition,
should We burden our people with
this crushing debt?
The proposed amendment pro-
vIdcs that the Legislature "shalI
nave power TO authorize the is,u-
ing OF State bonds. the aggregate
Outstanding amount Of which. al
any one time. shall moi exceed fifty
millions dollars" May not the Leg
Islaturc, under this provision. issue
bonds indefinitely provided onIy
mat The outstanding aggregate
ShaIl not. at any one time, exceed
fifty millions?
m
There is much else TO be said ON
this question which we cannot saw
now. Remember that when YOU 20
to the polls, November I'd. sep
arate ticket will be used for voting
on this question. Call for ihi, ticket
and vote FOR REJECTION. This
is what we propose TO do.