Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-10-01
OPPOSES THE FIFTY MILLIONS BOND
AMENDMENT,


Association at Charleston one day
alarm and strongly opposes the rail-
iication of the constitutional amend
mcnt now pending before the people
of the State and to be voted on at
the November election.
Governor McCorkle said:
lin my forty years of active bust
ness experience: wish to say that
the proposed amendment to the
Stale Constitution TO be voted upon
in the general election, providing
for a $5U,O00,000 bond issue Tor
good roads, is the most loosely
drawn important proposition which
/ have ever cOnSidcrcd.'
At the outset of his address. Gov.
MacCorklc made it clear that this
is Il matter that every good citizen
must approach in spirit of the
highest patriotism" II is above
politics, he emphasized. so far
us | am personally concerned. he
said, II am disintcrcstcd. have
no political hopes or desires. |
would not accept IN office, FEEDER
al or State, if ii WAS given TO me.
have devoted my life TO the de-
velopment Of this State and do moi
feel that should stand silent when
her interests are being SACRIFICED.
Governor McCOrkle went into de-
tail on the proposal TO bond The
State for the enormous amount and
spoke for an hour and half on
the subject and he held the closest
attention throughout of all the men
of large affairs in the development
Of West Virginia. He was not on
the program for the afternoon SEES
sion but volunteered to discuss the
situation for the benefit of the bank
ers, following a brief address by
Dean J. Lee Coulter, OF West Nir-
ginia University, who supported the
amendment.
"Thc excuse for this bond issue
is that we want good roads" said
the former Governor, land we grant
that proposition. We all want good
roads. | am pioneer good road
man." lie then reviewed the ac-
complishmentS of the last five years
in the establishment of good roads,
asserting as an illustration that the
counties of Kanawha and Cahel
have practically completed their
principle roads, and declared that
the proposition is illustrated by
numerous other counties in the
State.
THE proponents Of the good
roads amendment insist upon State
management and control. This can
be easily Affected Many of us
heartily agSrcc that there is no OBJ
lection to framing law that pro-
vidinS for greater control by the
State and more accurate manage
ment Of the roads of the State. but
tilis minor proposition does not
ncccSSitatc The issuing of $50. 900
900 of bonds and burdcning our
childrcn's children with gigantic
load
Just what Il State Legislature. no
matter how honest il might be,
would do with $4,000. 900 to dis
tribute, Gov. McCorkle left Ia the
imagination of the bankers. Ho
raised The question, however. as to
whether there would be enough to
go around with the hungry con-
tractors and material sellers be-
sicSing the members Of the Lcgis-
laiurc, interfering in county poll
tics, clccting members of The Leg
islaiurc. all eager for the juicy plum
of $4,000, 900 of the pcolpe's money
Dclving into facts and figures
dealing with the proposed loan,
Governor MacCOrklc declared that
with one fell swOop, the taxes of
property owners in West Virginia
would be practically doubled thru
issuance OF the proposed road
bonds.
"Ihc cnormity of Ibis situation
is well brought OUT he said. "by
the chief auditor and accountant
OF the state tax commissioners Of
flee. Mr.. T.. \. Dover. one OF the
ablcSt and most experienced ac-
cOuntantS in this whole country
and man more thoroughly ac-
uuainted with The finances Of West
Virginia than any other man within
its limits He referred 10 Il slate
nrni OF Mr.. Dover. made officially
Tax Commissioner llallahan TO Tue
effect that If The State were to sell
SJ0.0U0.O0G Of five per cent bonds
and retire Onc-thirteenlh Of the
principle each year. The amount Of
taxes required To pay The principle
and interest thereon would be
SSS,750,00O. which would include
1913, 100000 interest alone, over and
above the principle.
"lf this bond issue is carried.
West Virginia will have . total
state bond Issue Of 500 .OOO.OOO. the
fifth largest bond issue State in the
tnlon,' GO"'''''..' aCCOrklc said