The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1859-12-31


jority of the people of the county. To
put upon a portion of the settlers heavy
tax for the benefit of few persons was un-
fair He thought the town that had The
benefit Of the county seat ought to furnish
a building in which to hold court, free, for
several years, until the people got able to
build a Court House. He thought that
Fremont or Emporia either one would do it.
The people had just pre-empted their land,
and great number of them had borrowed
money and were paying enormous rates of
interest, and they felt that this heavy tax
for county buildings was tyrannical, and
they would not pay it. if they could posi-
bly, get out of it.
Mr.. S. G. Elliott did not feel like saying
much. He had always been opposed to
the erection of county buildings. under pres
ent circumstances. He thought that the
tax was intolerable. 1t had been charged
that he voted for it in the Board. He did
not do so. When the appropriations were
up he did not vote. He was opposed to
levying tax to erect county buildings IN
less the people voted for it. He had been
charged with selling out. He thought if he
received pay for every time he had been
charged with selling himself, he could re-
tire on quite little fortune. He thought
if there had been a reasonable tax levied for
county purposes, the people would have
mold If uitbouf q Do,1r,ou.
Mr.. Bixler, of Fremont, was called, and
said: If they had left this matter till next
year there would have been more equality
about it, as all the land holders would then
be included in the assessment as ii was,
some of the richest men in the county who
had re-empted their land since the assess
ment for the present year was made, would
get clear of paying this enormous tax. The
settlers on the Kaw Reserve, who wished to
rule the county, had no tax to pay. If he
was tax gatherer he would resign before
he would undertake to collect cent. He
wanted the county out of debt as much as
any man-but wait till next year when all
would assist in paying it, and not put the
burthen on a few. He thought he would
get kind O mulsh before he would pay his
portion of this unjust tax.
Mr.. G. D. Humphrey was willing to pay
a reasonable tax, but would resist the paw
ment of this enormous tax as long as any
one. He thought there were places in the
county which would furnish the necessary
buildings, free of charge, for few years,
and the town that had the county seat ought
TO do SO until the county seat was located
and the people were able to erect county
buildings. He thought to pay such an enor-
nous tax to benefit a few town spectators,
in town almost out cf the county, and
scarcely in the Territory--because it was
serve--was something that the people would
not and ought not 10 do.
DR.. Armor, of Fremont, was opposed to
the tax-it was unjust, and the people ought
not to pay it.
Mr.. Henderson said he was collector of
Forest Hill township, and was ready aud
willing to resign, rather than undertake to
collect the tax.
Mr.. Storrs thought that it was his duty
and the duty of every citizen to resist the
payment of this burthensome tax.
Mr.. Stout was collector of Cottonwood
township, and would resign rather than un
deKake the collection of the tax.
DR.. Hall was opposed to the tax, and
would resist lis payment in every honorable
means in his power, and what the resistance
cost him would be given freely.
Mr.. Hammond thought that settlers on
the Kaw Reserve were trying to rule the
county. Baker lad no more right to come
off the Reserve with his friends and impose
a tax upon US than Stringfellow had to bring
Missourians over to Kansas to control her
ballot boxes. He did not want Baker to
impose a tax on him, and he for one would
not submit to it, and he thought the people
would be false to themselves if they did not
resist its payment.
Chas. S. Hills considered the tax enor-
mous-to spring this tax upon the people of
the county at present was unjust, unfair and
impohtic. / for one expect to pay rea-
sonable tax when the proper time comes.
If any of the towns want the county seat
they ought to be willing to furnish build
ings free. He knew there were towns ia
the county that would be willing to furnish
court house free for several years.
The Committee on Resolutions presented
the following report, which after being read
as whole were read ana adopted, seperate
", without dissenting voice:
Resolre9, That we believe in the cardinal action
of our Revolutionary ancestors. that .a ration and