The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1883-07-17
THE NEW COURT HOUSE.
The Two Petitions Before the
County court Considered
Yesterday.
The Questions Presented
We0e Bonds" or "Di-
rect Taxation.
After a Full Discussion, Both
Petitions Were Withdrawn.

For months past and even for years
the citizens o: Sedaiia and Pettis count,
have been agitating the project of build.
ing a court house commensurate with the
requirements and the demands of county
ranking scarcely second TO none in the
state in point of wealth, prosperity and
business enterprise.
Unfortunately for the welfare of the
county and the people, there exists in our
midst little horde of would-be directors
of all public enterprises, whose policy,
thus far outlined, seems to be rule Oh
ruin"
An election was once ordered for the sub
mission 10 the taxpayers OF the question
of the er elton of new conrt house, the
expense for such building to be betrayed by
the issuing OF the bonds of the county to
the amount of 100000. Owing to some
slight informality in the order made by
the court, this election amounted to
naught, and the few votes which were
cast were declared null aud void.
This was at the general election last No
vember, and ever since that time spasmod-
ic but seemingly Intellectual efforts have
been made to present this all important
matter to the county court in such shape
that it can be acted upon by those honora
BILE representatives of the people and sub
mittet for proper approval or rejection in
some legitimate and legal manner.
Recently this question has been reopened,
but owing to petty jealousies and bicker-
ings, 20 concerted action has been taken.
Two petitions were several days ago pre-
scented to the court, praying that
an election be ordered for a new court
house. One of these petitions asked
that the question of pledging the bonded
Indebtedness of the county The amount of
100000 for the erection OF a new court
house be submitted to the people; the other
praying the court to issue an order sub
mitting the question of district taIiation to
the amount of 100000 for court house
purposes.
Both of these projects have their enthusi-
astic advocates, and so high has party feel
ing ran that it seems that supporters of
the two different measures would rather
see the county hold its courts in barn for
the next ten years than to. give in 10 the
views of each other.
Yesterday afternoon at o'clock, by spe-
cial appointment, the county court proceed
ed to the consideration of this question.
Mr.. Frank Houston was the first speaker.
He said that there we're two questions to be
considered, viz: that the county should
issue bonds to the amount of 100000, or
that the people should be directly taxed to
this amount for court house purposes. The
principal argument in favor of the bond
scheme is that these bonds can be sold at
least at their par value, and probably at a
premium This would make the tax
Lighter and distribute the burden more
equally. The speaker said that he knew
there was q we'll grounded prejudice
against the issuing of bonds, caused
by the trouble and the litigation in which
it had involved many counties in the state.
Personally, he cared but little which plan
was adopted, but was extremely anxious to
see the question submitted in some shape.
Mr.. Houston, in few brief but we'll
timed remarks, called attention to the dire
necessity of the county for q court house.
Col. w. w. S. Snoddy next addressed the
court briefly but pointedly. He said that
he had not had the time TO post himself on
any previous action taken by the court,
but that he appreciated the dire necessity
for a court house that it was disgrace to
the county to be compelled to hold court in
unpleasant and incommodious rooms,
where it was almost impossible to admin
lister justice properly
AS to the best means to be adopted to
raise the money necessary for the erection
of the building, he had not given much
thought; but it seemed to him that the
most feasible plan TO submit to the people
was the proposition of issuing bonds. The
bonds could readily be disposed of and the
county would haye the cash to pay for la
Dor and material, thus being enabled to
secure it much cheaper than by the plan
OF taxation running over period of years,
compelling the contractors to wait for
their money. There was prejudice against
bonds, owing to the manner in which
the people had been swindled by voting ap-
preparations to railroads; there was, how
ever, no such abuses to be feared in this
case.
Mr.. Geo. p. B. Jackson being called on
for an expression of his opinion, stated that
he had nothing to say which could help
the court out of its present dilemma. He
had always, he said, been in favor of d.
rect taxation in this matter. He had for
number of years discussed this court house
project with the people, and large major
ity of those with whom he had conversed
on the subject were in favor of direct taxa
ton. When the question is submitted,
should it be coupled with
the question of bonds, al
large number of persons not especially
interested will vote against it on this &C
count,
The speaker went on to show BY figures
the advantage of the direct taxation
scheme. He suggested the propriety of
holding convention of representative
men elected by the taxpayers, who would |
suggest the best plan to be adopted by the |
county court, and thus intimate to that
body the popular will in the matter. He |
said that he was opposed to paying $3.50. |
600 for $1O0, 900 court house, as this was
the amount the bond scheme called for.
while by direct taxation the court house
would cost but 100000.
DR.. Conkwright wanted to know if both
propositions could not be sub
mitted to the people at the same
time Mr. Iackeon ee;d that <h;. ro,,ll I -