The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1940-07-11
Campaign Issues

AS all of our readers clearly understand,
one of the major editorial policies OF this
newspaper is that we are POLITICALLY in
dependent" We do not take sides with the
Democrats or with the Republicans and
regardless of our personal feelings, we 90
not endorse or support any candidate OF
either party or participate in factlonal
fights.
At all times, however, we accept our du-
ty and responsibility to be outspoken on all
issues of public interest and on all ques-
tons in which the general welfare of Ashe
county is involved.
In the current race for the Democratic
nomination for the House of Representa-
tives, which has reached boiling point
and which will be climaxed Saturday at
ternooh with the county convention, the
questions of Indebtedness and taxation
have been raised.
Like most people, we do not enjoy pay
ing taxes and believe in economy in gov
eminent At the same time, we realize 1t is
the fundamental requirement OF every
county and municipal government to rem
der certain essential services and that
definite amount of money is required to
pay for these services.
Unfortunately it is often times the prac-
tice of the federal government, as we'll as
many states and counties to issue more
bonds or to borrow more money than they
should, and frequently this works hard
ship upon the people in paying interest
and paying back the money.
However, it is the sacred obligation of
every governmental unit, as well as of
every self-respecting upright citizen, to
paw Just debts that are incurred. The le-
gal and moral laws require it, The finan-
cial structure of our democratic, capital
istic system of government demand it.
Like the federal government, Ashe coun-
ty has rather large bonded debt, but
there is no plausible escape from paying it
and of maintaining our good name at
least that has been the experience of ev-
cry other town and county governments
we have ever heard of.
Of course it would have been fine if we
could have bought up all of this debt of
over a million dollars for, say fifty cents
on the dollar, which is eleven cents less
than the average that was paid by the
county for bonds and coupons bought dur
ing the four years Of the bond-buying per-
iod, but where would we have gotten the
money?
By defaulting on certain payments, the
county couldn't borrow and couldn't sell
additional bonds and only a small amount
could be set aside each year out of the tax
levy. At the same time, there were manda-
mus judgments for one hundred cents on
the dollar and attorney and court costs.
The bonded debt has now been refunded
over 32-year period, at lower interest
rates and with past due interest cut in half
We wish that greater reduction had been
obtained, but members of the Local Gov
eminent Commission state that the Ashe
plan was as good as any other county in
similar circumstances had secured. Be that
as it may, the refunding program has been
adopted land declared operative.
A taxArate of $500 is high, but our val
uation and levy in comparison with other
counties of more Or less equal size, are low
One of the duties Of American citizen
ship is that of voting and another one Of
equal Importance is that of paying just anc
reasensh2estaxes. Upon the tax dollar de.