The dispatch-news. [volume] (Lexington, S.C.) 1919-2001, 1921-09-21
DIR. CRCSSON AGAIN
COMPARES COUNTIES

expert in assessing property, but I do
know the difference between twenty
thousand dollar valuation and a two
hundred dollar assessment: besides,
/ do know the difference between a
cancelled Indebtedness and a sup
posed amount in a sinking fund. That
reminds me OF fellow going to pay
his debt when he collects The road
question doesn't seem to be an issue
any more, but it is now Richland's as
sessed valuation and Indebtedness.
How about the glowing headlines
in The Record a few evenings ago,
when it said, "Richland County
Broke."? I presume this popular daily
paper would not belle it's own county.
I have shown the difference in tax
alton between the two counties, be-
sides everyone in the ''cut-off" terri
tory knows that under the law they
will have to pay their share of Lex
ington's Indebtedness.
The matter of working roads in the
proposed cutoff is a direct proof of
what l have said. Richland has the
expense of the maintenance Of four
chaingangs, and anybody knows this
will have to be done by direct taxa
ton. Why don't they deny what I
said about .spendin the road fund, as
this was the primary issue, and why
don't they give us credit for what we
did in obtaining the $4,000 for roads
and for working the roads? But it is
better to dodge the first issue now, as
that is cleared up. but some work I'M
der the old saying, and we are "be-
damned if we do, and bedamned if we
don't"
The ideal of double traffic tracks
across the New Brookland bridge and
two-foot walks and street car lines
is a dream far afeld." / made the
first speech ever made in behalf of
this free bridge, as many remember,
and I am still working to fulfil that
hope, but, after the third time had
taken the matter up last session, was
informed that financial conditions
were such that it could not be done.
Have they improved since? The Re-
cord says "Richland County is broke" "
You can correctly figure out the
full assessed valuation in the coun-
ties and leave out your local school
assessments without any help, except
what you get from office facts, and
take the difference in valuation and
levy and you are better off in Lexing-
ton County. Don't be lured into a
trap by those who are disgruntled or
who will gladly take you because of
your taxable value. Why was the
town of New Brookland built on this
side of the river. when the Columbia
Board Of Trade worked to keep it
over in Richland? Why were the fer
tiEzer factories and railroad shops
brought on this side, when the Cham
Der of Commerce worked hard to
keep them on the other side? 1t was
because of Richards heavier taxa
ton. Why don't they want to go
there now? It's because Of dreaded
higher taxation.
Why was not the country's peoples
wishes and outside objections con-
.sidered in Richland county in the
vote on the last bond issue, when the
entire county, except Columbia, was
against it? You in the proposed
"cut~off'' Will get your necks IN the
same halter or snare Why are some
outside politicians so interested in
Won? Will not some Of these be can
didates for congress next summer.
and want you better controlled jDI
Rich1and county, as they think.
The concentration of legislative
power. as my mind points out to me,
is dangerous thing for the future,
and don't be parties to plan that
will give the larger cities Of the State
that power. 1t is dangerous for the
working classes and tends towards
shaping legislation against you.
1 have no personal axe to grind, but
as your servant ! will work always on
the side l see is best TO the county's
welfare and my peoples best inter-
ests. Your going away will not move
your property, nor change your en-
and what you get you
will pay for, and you are better off
at home.