The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-09-13

He said that II Mr.. Cheever's argument de-
monstrated anything it was that now is the time
to build This question has been submitted to
my constituents and they know how | stand
and heartily endorse my action Repairing ID
bad; and he thought the question should be
fairly met He also called for some one who in
tended to vote mo" to give some reasons
therefor.
In response to this call Mr.. Z. Barton, of Mer-
den, volunteered lie said his reasons were the
condition of "his people" and the present style
Of assessment Many people have everything
rtgaged-houses, lands, horses, cows, mach
inery and yet pay large taxes, while the holders
of these mortgages are not assessed a cent
more Thousands of the poor are taxed and the
rich escape. The Jail is bad, but many of "my
people" are as badly lodged. We have been
going through bad series of years, and are not
yet out of them. We think the new revenue
law will assist in equalizing the assessment and
this is reason why we should wait another
year. until it goes into effect, and until the poor
and rich bear their proper burdens, If what Mr..
Cheever says is true, the country is assessed
higher than the towns, being assessed at at least
half its value, whereas he says the assessment as
whole is but % to 100,
Cheever; If we wait TIL the pesple are out of
debt or until there are no more poor people,
we'll wait until the "l last trumpet" sounds.
MILLER.
| Mr. John Miller then called E. G. Lewis to
take the chair, and then addressed the Board,
saying 1t was not necessary for him to make any
extended remarks, as his position was well UNI
derstood. My people have not agreed on this
question-they never will agree on this or any
other question. If it was proposed to build u
monument to Jesus Christ there would be those
who would oppose it. It's human nature. | was
here when the old court house was built. ] I'M
derstood the condition of the county then and
understand 1t now 1t comprised its present
limit and all of Kendall and Grundy counties,
and had less than 5000 people. The building
cost $40 900 less interest. Flagg took the con-
tract from the county commissioners, and the
county issued bonds which it sold at 50 per cent.
Grain was low and land was cheap. Poor? The
people were so poor that they had to lean up
against the fence to breathe Hard times? Why
the people nowadays don't know the first prin-
cples of hard time, Yet we built the first court
tions to study our history. The assessment was
not Sl0O, 600; now, on an extreme assessment, it
is % 0))0)o and the county holds ut least tl0o,-
600 $50 of wealth. The Board acknowledge we
need a bigger building. And yet hate to lose
the old one. | would like to climb TO its top and
look from it over your wealth, prosperity and
the great people--all come since first saw the
spot. But like to see this great county bios
som like q rose and have something to speak Of
her glory! 1t is your duty to build commend
the county's interest to you: and should fire
come and destroy the building ard its contents,
the responsibility will fall on you.
Nat. McIntire moved to vote separately on
court house and Jail.
Beach moved to postpone the vote until l0A NJ.
Friday. This was tabled.
| Mclntire's motion was carried.
Flaherty moved to vote first on the court
house
A. G. McIntire moved, to amend, that the
Board proceed to build Jail and sherilf's house.
| Nat. McIntire moved to vote on the items as
mentioned in the resolution Flaherty and A.
c. McIntire having Withdrawn their motions, it
was so ordered,
| The first question was: to build or not to build
a court house. 1t was voted not to build, rs fol.
lows: Ayes-Beach, Cheever, Flaherty, Hos
sack, Koye, Nelson, Parr, Pickins, White, Mr.
Chairman (Miller); noes-Adams, Barton L. and
Patrick, Bellnghausen, Butte, Carey, Conerton,
Cooper, Fades, Fisher, Fox, Grove, Helmig,
Hickok, Lauf, Lewis, both McIntires, Miner,
O'Donnell, G'Laughlin, Palmer. Read, Robinson,
Singer, Stevenson, Thornton, Trout, both Wileys,
Wilson.
The next weston was to build or not to build
jail This also was similarly disposed of, those
in favor of a Jail being: Adams, Barton P),
Bellinghausen, Carey, Conerton Fades, Fisher,
Flaherty, Fox Grove, Helmig, Klove, Lauf, both
McIntires, O'Donnell Robinson, Singer, Wilson.
Flaherty then moved that the Board proceed
to build court house and Jail. This, too, was
lost, those voting aye being, Beach, Dayton;
Cheever, Ottawa; Flaherty, Serena; Hossack,
Ottawa; Klove, Adams, Lewis, Deer Park; Mel
son, Miller; Parr Rutland; Pickens, So. Ottawa;
White, Ottawa; Mr.. Chairman, Freedom.
Adjourned