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If its Results You
ant Advertise
in the T^lessengcr
VOLUME XLIV.—NO. 22
$400,000 Road Bond Issue
Will Lower County Taxes
COMMISSIONERS
PUBLISH POLICY
EACH MLHIA DISTRICT GUARAN
TEED GOOD ROADS—MONTHLY
STATEMENT OF EXPENSES TO
BE PUBLISHED COMPETENT
HIGHWAY ENGINEER EMPLOY
ED IF BONDS ARE AUTHORIZED
I
Below are questions and answers
explaining the essential features of
the $400,000 road bond issue, elec
tion on whiety will be held Saturday
July 2nd. The voters of (he county
are urgently requested to read and
study this questionaire.
Question. What is the amount
■of the proposed bond issue"
Answer. Four hundred thous
and ($400,000.00) |
“( Q. When is the election?
A. Saturday July 2nd
Q. Where will the election be
held?
A. T n every voting precinct in
the
at is the money to be
1:
' >r the purpose of build
ing a system of good roads in ev
ery militia district in Walker
County. I
Q. How is the money to b* lift
ed?
A. (1) $100,000.00 to be used
in a general fund, full explanation
of which appears below.
(2) $300,000.00 of the issue
is to be prorated to the Militia
districts on the basis of tax values
1921 digest with three exceptions. 1
Q. What are these exceptions?
A- LaFayette, Chickamauga
and Rossville Districts are only to
receive 50%, or one half of their
{{prorata share, based on tax values
of these three districts.
Q. How much would these
three districts, LaFayette, Chick
amauga, and Rossville have if
they were to get their full share,
based on their tax values?
A. $170,000.00.
Q. How much will they get?
A. One-half of $170,000.00 or
$85,000.00. |
Q. How is the other $85,000 to
be used ? |
A. It is to be used as an addi
tion to the $100,000.00, set aside
as a general fund, making a total
of $185,000.00, to complete»roads
in those districts, where their
prorata part of the $300,000-00
would not be sufficient to complete
-4iame.
Q. Who will supervise the
building of these roads?
A. A competent, experienced
highway engineer.
Q. How will the roads be
built?
A. By contract to the lowest
and best bidder.
Q. What will be the policy as
to the employment of labor?
A. All things being equal, the
people of Walker county will bt?
given preference in the matter of
employment in construction of the
roads.
Q. Where will the convicts be
used in the construction of these
j roads? ® *
’ A- Not on the main highways,
but on the connecting roads iff the
different districts.
Q. Can the bond money be us
ed for other purposes than for
Halte dlmmtij ifearngn*
building roads?
A. Positively not-
Q. If the authorities should
attempt to use this money for oth
er purposes how can it be prevent
ed?
A. Any person can object, and
if his objection is not regarded,
the courts will promptly give re
lief.
Q. When will construction be
gin?
A. As soon as bonds are carri
ed-and validated, bids will be re
ceived and work started as
promptly as possible.
Q. In what districts will the
road construction begin first?
A. It is the purpose to begin
construction in every district in
the county as nearly the same date
as possible.
Q. What assurance have the
people that this is true?
| A- They have the signed
. pledge of the Board of Commis
! sioners, being a part of the min
utes of their meeting of June 7th,
which is open for inspection.
Q. Why should the people not
living on the main highways vote
.for this bond issue?
I A. Because a permanent road
through the district will 'increase
the value of every farm in that
district; will bring everyone near
er the markets for all farm prod
ucts, and will be the means of a
1 much more speedy construction
of all the roads connecting with
the main highways.
Q. What roads in Walker
County are now named as part of
the State Highway System?
A. The road leading from La-
Fayette to the Chattooga county
line; from LaFayette to the Gor-
I :i county line, from LaFayette
to the Dade county line.
Q. When the bond issue carri
es, what is the State of Georgia
bound to do by law, in regard to
the state highway roads mention
ed above?
A. If these roads are construct
ed as they will be, from the pro
ceeds of the bond issue, the State
will reimburse the county for the
l total cost of these roads, and will
| also bear all of the expense of the
! maintenance and repair of these
roads.
| Q. Will the county receive any
further government funds with
out a bond issue?
A. No, because the Highway
.Department; has determined \to
allot these funds only to those
counties which have provided for
their portion of the cost of con
struction by the issue of bonds.
Q. Why was this determined
by the Highway Commission?
A. Because they found that
those counties without funds de
rived from the sale of bonds spent
all their available funds on the
Government project to the materi
al detriment of all of the other
roads of the county.
Q. How will the state provide
for this?
A. From the funds derived
from the sale of automobile licens
es.
Q. Is it true that a bond issue
will actually lower the tax rate
for this year?
A. It most positively will.
Q. How much will it lower the
tax rate?
A. At least $5.00 on every
thousand dollars or fifty cents on
each hundred dollars.
Q. How is this possible?
A. The exnense of the chain
LAFAYETTE, GEORGIA, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1921
gang, road working and bridge
building for this year will be tak
en care of out of the bond fund.
The tax rate levied in 1920 for
chaingang, roads and bridges was
$10.75 on the thousand. Our 1921
digest exceeds seven million dol
lars, and a levy of $5.00 on the
thousand or fifty cents on the hun
dred will more than pay the in
terest and pay off the bonds as
they fall due, thereby lowering
the tax rate as stated above.
Q. Will the bond issue in
crease the tax rate in future
years?
A. Absolutely no.
Q. Why not?
A. Because after the roads are
built, the upkeep will be much
less than at present, and the mon
ey now being spent on the chain
gang. roads and bridges will more
than pay off the bonds and inter
est.
Q. How will the people know
how much of the money is being
spent?
A. They have the pledge of
the entire Board of Commission
ers, that a monthly itemized state
ment of all the money spent in
each and every disrict will be
published; in addition the books
will always be open to the inspec
tion of any citizen.
q. How will the money derived
from the sale of the bonds be han
dled?
’ A- It will be handled through
the Bank of LaPayette, the Walk
er County Bank and the Bank of
Chickamauga, in proportion to
their capital and surplus, and will
he paid out from these banks in
the same proportion.
Q. What vote will it take to
carry the bond election?
A. Two-thirds of those voting
must vote in favor of bonds, and
that two thirds must also be a
majority of the registered vote.
‘ Q. Will the women be allowed
to vote in the bond election?
A. They will if registered ac
cording to law.
Resolutions j
Whereas, the Board of Commis
sioners of Hoads amt Revenue 6f
Walker County, Georgia have here
tofore passed an order calling for an
election to determine the question
of tho issue or non-issue of bonds
in the sum of $400,000.00 for the
building and improving of the pub
lic roads of said county, etc, said
election to be held on July 2nd, 1921
and,
Whereas, the Board of Commis
sioners of Roads and Revenue now
desire to pledge themselves by reso
lution as to the policy to be pursued
tn the expenditure of the money de
riveo from the sale of said bonds, if
authorized by vote of the people:
Therefore, be it resolved that the
Board of Commissioners of Roads
and Revenue hereby pledge them
selves, in the event said bonds are
authorized, to pursue the following
policy with reference to the expendi
Jure of said fund:
Ist. The expenditure incident to
road improvement support of chain
gang and construction of bridges for
the year 1921, wilt be paid out of
the funds derived from the sale of
said bonds, and no tax will be levied
for the support of the chain-gang,
improvement of the public roads,
and building of bridges for the year
1921, thereby reducing the taxes for
the current year approximately
$5.00 on the one thousand dollars or
50 cents on the one hundred.
2nd. That the construction of
public roads under the bond issue
i will be begun in every section of the
I county as promptly as it is possible
to begin construction, and the im
provement of the public roads will
be carri'd on in every «ectUm of the
county as nearly simultaneously as
COUNTY-WIDE STOCK
LAW ELECTION JULY 6
Judge Slanscll has been petitioned
by the required number id' Tb!ers
to call a county-wide stock law
election, notice of which has ap
peared in the Messenger according
to law. The law fixes this election as
the first Wednesday in July, which
is on the oth.
practicable.
3rd. It will not be the policy of
the board to endeavor to construct
the public roads under the bond is
sue with the chain-gang, but said
roads will be constructed by con
tract, and it will be the policy of the
Board of Commissioners of Hoads
and Revenue to require the con
tractors to employ citizens of the
county wherever possible.
4th. The board of Commissioners
of Roads and Revenue will employ a
competent highway engineer, who
together with the Board of Commis
sioners, will have general supervi
sion of all road construction under
the bond issue, and they will be res
ponsible for the expenditure of the
funds upon the public roads.
sth. The Board of Commissioners
of Roads and Revenue will publish
monthly an itemized statement, of'
all expenditures of the bond fund,
showing the exact amount expended
in each and every Militia district of
the county.
6th. The Board of Commissioners
, ttoads and Revenue will adopt and
enforce an adequate provision for
the maintenance of the public roads]
after construction, so that same]
will be maintained in the same ex-rs
cellont condition as when originally
constructed.
m. a. McConnell, chm.
CLAUDE CLEMENTS, Clerk
j. r. McFarland
W. S. ABERCROMBIE
8. P. HALL
The Three County Banks
Will Handle The Money
Some people in the county have
asked who would handle the funds
from the sale of the bonds, should
they carry July 2nd., and the state
ment from the Bank of LaFayette,
the county treasurer, clearly ex
plains this point. Below is the for
mal statement:
In the event of the approval by ths
voters of Walker county of the pro
posed issue of $400,000.00 of Road
Bonds, it will be the policy of the
Bank of LaFayette, Treasurer of
Walker county, to divide the funds
arising from the sale of said bonds
among the different banks of the
county in proportion to the capital
stock and surplus of said banks, on
the same terms that the Bank of La-
Faytto serves as Couney treasurer.
It is furthr agreed that, in the pay-i
men! of bills from said fund, that
arrangements will be made to with
draw money deposited in the differ
ent banks in proporlion to the an
ount of funds placer! in said banks.
Signed,
J. E. PATTON, Cashier.
EACH MILITIA DISTRICT
SHARES IN BOND FUNDS
Following is how the Militia dig- ]
tricts share in the funds, based on,
tax values:
West Armuchee District. .$ 9,035.20 |
Cane Creek District 7,109.05 i
Mountain District 0,372.07
East Armuchee District.. ..11,593.95 j
Wilson District 11,612.37 |
Chattanooga Valley Dist ... .10.552.25 i
Poavine District .16,172.55
Kensington District 16,181.79
Lisbon District 2,234.40
Cedar Grove District 11,211.15
Pond Springs District 11,557.78
Dry Valley District 22,000.00
Growflsh Springs District ~22.879 6'
LaFayette District A0.147.H0
Chestnut Flat District 7.109.05
NOTICE TO FARMERS
A few fanners of the county will
deliver to me on next Saturday,
June IHIIi between 50 amt 75 bushels
of Lookout ML, and Green ML, seed
Irish potatoes to be sold at $1.50 per
bushel. Home will sell at $2. Any
buyer may call at my office, in the
courthouse Saturday 1 have several,
orders on my tiles already, there
fore. you are advised to come early.
—R. L. Vansant, County Agent.
FOR HALE—By owner one 5 passen-.
ger Buick. 1919 model. Will ac
cept, Liberty Bonds or give
lerms to right party,—Address i
Buidi, Care of Messenger.
Trial of James Douglas*
At LaFaytcie July 7th
FRIDAY LAST DAY
TO REGISTER FOR BOND
AND SHERIFF'S ELECTION
Friday Juno 17th,, is the lust day
to register for the Sheriff’s election
and the road bond election July 2nd.
All those who have not yet register
ed and who want to vote in these
elections must register by Friday,
since the registration books for the
elections will close the 17th. The
books for the stock law election July
6th., will not close until June 21st.,
and those desiring to vote in this
election who have not yet registered
must do so by next Tuesday I lie 21.
E. M. SIMONTON, VETERAN
PRINTER DIES SUDDENLY
The sudden death of E. M. Siinon
ton at tlie home of C. W. Wimpee
in West LaFayette Saturday nigtii
'came as a shock to his many friends
and relatives here and in the county
For a number of mouths he hud
been in declining health, but lus
condition was not considered alarm
ing. Ho became ill Friday morning
but improved in the early morn
ing and was able to be out on the
[streets in the afternoon. Saturday
morning he came to the Messenger
office but was taken suddenly ill.
Throughout tlie day bis condition
improved but as night ciune oil he
grew weaker and death came at 8:30
o'clock.
Mr. Bimonton entered the print ini
industry at the early age of 11, and
was for a time connected with the
Atlanta Constitution. Later he work
ed with theSummervifieGazette and
for thirty years was connected with
the Walker tfounty Messenger. He
was 63 years of age at the time of
his demise. .
He made many friends throughout
the county and was widely known,
and his death is deeply deplored.
Honest, faithful, efficient, kind
i hearted and generous, were virtues
that marked his life. His love for
children was a worthy trait. He was
a member of the Presbyterian
church and a life long member of
the Masonic fraternity. He was also
county coroner.
He is survived by one daughter,
Mrs. H. V. Bidez, of St. Elmo, Tenn.,
ono sister and three brothers
Funeral services were held from
the Presbyterian church Monday
afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, conduct
ed, by Revs. I. S. Leonard and J. W.
Brinslleld, in the presence of a large
number of relatives and friends.
The Masonic fraternity took charge
of tlie remains gif ter tlie. services at
the church and he was buried witli
full Masonic rites.
Tributes of flowers attested to the
esteem in which he was held.
The Walker County Messenger
joined with the host of bis friends
in extending sympathy to the be
reaved ones in this say hour.
LAFAYETTE MERCHANTS
DECLARE HALF HOLIDAY
During the hot summer months
the LaFayette merchants have en
tered into an agreement to close
their places of business every
Thursday afternoon, beginning at
noon Thursday of each week until
Bept. Ist. Following is the agree
| ment:
We, the undersigned merchants
and business bouses of LaFayette
' agree to close our places of business
'every Thursday afternoon from
[ Julie 23rd., to Kept. Ist:
i Kirby-Herndon Hdw. Co.
IC. W. Forester &Co
I Walraven Bros.
I Holloman & Enloe
[ Bartlett Hardware Co
j Androws-Komp Furniture Co.
111. Winer !
j Thurman Bros.
T. J. Nash Store
Mrs. J. C Reese
Wheeler Variety Co
j.Mrs. H. V. Henry,
iliornar & Ratliff
W. A. Abney & Son
Want Ads in
Messenger
Pay
ONE DOLLAR PER YEAR
DEFENSE WILL NOT ASK FOH \
CHANGE OF VENUE GRAND
.11 RY RETURNS INDICTMENT
MONDAY—JUDGE WRIGHT TO
DRAW JURY SATURDAY AFT.
The February Grand Jury, which
was not, discharged by Judge Wright
was called in special session here
last Monday, at which time an in
dictment was returned against Jas.
Douglass, charging him with the
murder of Sheriff Catron. The grand -
jury also found a number of other
true bills. The jury adjourned Mon
day afternoon, subject to the Judge's
call.
Judge Wright has set Thursday
July 7th as the date for the trial of
Douglass at l.aFayette, since the de
fense has waived change of venuo,
agreeing that if Judge Wright would
give them I wo weeks to prepare they
would not ask for a change of venue.
Therefore, be (rial will be held in
the Walker county courthouse.
Solicitor 'I aylor, ft is understood
wil Ibe assisted bv Rosser and Shaw
in the prosecution of the case. Who
are the attorneys for the defense
has net yet been made public.
Judge Wright staled over the tel
ephone Wednesday night that he
would come to LaFayotto Saturday
afternoon, to draw the jury for the
Douglass trial.
W. H, MON ENTERS
RACE FOR SHERIFF
The fqrmal announcement of
Ward 11. Hixou, of Chickamauga, as
a candidate for sheriff, to 1111 the un
expired term of tho late A. G. Cat
ron will be found below. Mr. Hixon
is well-known to tho voters of the
county, having made the race for
Sheriff in the last primary election.
His Card
To The Voters Os Walker County—
-1 hereby announce myself a can
didate for Sheriff of Walker county
at the special election to be hold
July 2nd., 1921. If elected, I promise
to faithfully and impartially dis
charge the duties of the office to
tho very best of my ability, and to
uphold the law and work for good
order in our county.
I expect to appoint good men as
deputies in all districts of the coun- ,
ty, who will he acceptable to the
good people of the districts, and who
will actively assist in the enforce
ment of the laws, and especially to
execute the laws against the mons
trous and illegal whisky traffic, to
the extent that all alike, without fa
vor or affection,, shall be forced to
respect the law, and to know at the
same time that all classes are treat
ed equally and impartially in the en
forcement of the law.
I appeal to the good, law-abiding
people of the county to stand togeth
er on this platform until tho day
comes when all people shall come
to look upon a strict and impartial
enforcement of the law as best for
everybody, and to realize that it is
the only protection for their homes
and their civilization.
WARD H. HIXON
offigehslmptureT MEN
HID 250 GALLONS BEER
Acting Sheriff Harmon with other
ofllcers captured on 30-gallon still in
the pocket near Estelle mines Wed
nesday. They found 250 gallons ol
beer, demolished the still and caught
two Gravitt brothers, sons of Torn
Gravitt. They were brought to La-
Fayette.
FOR LAW AND ORDER
CANDIDATE FOR SHERIf E
I was glad to sen the announce
ment in the Messenger of Mr. Har
mon for sheriff. I think Mr. Hannon
will make us a good sheriff and that
he deserves the oflice of he wants it
1 expect to help elect him. Lets do
it and do all we can to help him
perform the duties of the oflice. It
is time for citizens as well as offic
ers to get busy for law enforcement,
I believe we will. 0. F. S.