Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1884-08-23
MEsSRs. GARTER AND HARMON.

EDITOR INTRLLIGENCER:-In the Odessa
Democrat Of several weeks ago, appeared an
article over the signature of VIM. H. Carter,
suggesting to the people of Lafayette and
johnson counties, what he considered the
character of the man should be whom the
people would send to the next senate. In said
article he mentioned the candidacy of the
Honorable JnO. p. Harmon. and made no
charges, whatever, against his public or pri-
vate record. In the same article he spoke of
the services of Hon. L. NJ. Edwards and COM
mended him as worthy of our confidence and
support.
Harmon and his friends have poured mis-
representations and suspicion upon the au-
thor.
The Odessa Democrat asks that Mr.. Har-
mon shall be judged by his public record as
n 1sgislator. and calls for his record. Then
to his "rccord" let us go!
During the session Of the 3lst general as
sembly the Hannibal y st. 10. Il. 4. Com
puny offered to pay into the treasury of the
state of Missouri, something over three mil
lions of dollars due the state for liabilities In
CURED by the state in aiding said road and
as no provision had been made by law for
the use Of said money, when paid, a bill was
drafted by both the ways and means CON-
mittee of the house and senate, authorizing
tho fund commissioner of the state to invest
this money In U. 8. bonds and Missouri state
bonds, Except the II. & St. 10. R. II. bonds.
These bills were acceptable to the minority
Of the house, and both lay upon the desks OF
the members ready for the third reading.
just at this point Hon. Jno. p. Harmon
and ono other member from the committee OF
/ ways and means, in the absence Of the chusr-
! anon, Mr.. Dawson, brought hurriedly, into
| tho house an amendment authorizing the
| commissioners to invest these . $4,000 0 In
county bonds.
Now, notice, TINT this was at thestimesthai
| Mr.. John u. Henderson and other holders Of
our county and township bonds were press
ing their claims against uS, and while W.
were trying to compromise at as low a rate
as possible.
Mr.. Harmon was demonstrated with ant
was told that the passage Of his amendment
planned and offered deliberately, would WORK
great injury to Lafayette county. But thu
moro he was demonstrated with tho more III
seemed determined to press the amendment
into a law. The morning following his at
tempt, Hon. c. r. johnson stated publicly Il
the house that the effort to pass this amend
ment had, already caused county tonds to ris
en- ratue. Does Lafayette county wish q sen
ator who, by his legislative acts, stand fl
, tho way of compromising her county ant
township debt'
Since the "record" Is called for, TO tn
"recmd" we will 60 again. In the 32I gen
erul assembly Mr.. Harmon held the importar
position of chairman of the committee of Intel
nal Tor rs some granger called il, tnfernal) In
!, provcments. Before this committee proper
|. ly came bills relating to railroads, Telegram
, and express companies. There was O gener'
demand from shippers of various clusses oil
from the sgriculturalists that there should /
| some legislation In regard to railroad
their liabilities, their rights and the
e charges. The committee on "inte
, nal improvements seemed to many
I, be sleeping, and 30 strong was this belief tn
a com mittee of abou, one hundred membe
was organized to wake the chairman u
: Finally Hon. Mr.. Lay, Of Benton, WAS al
thorized to prepare a bill looking to the rel
: ulation OF railroads. Mr.. Lay worked hol
q estly and faithfully, and presented a bill
r many respects resembling the Illinois laws.
Remember Hr. UayAnon apds chairman of til
V committee, tho committee on "internal II
a ~provements" when the bill of Major Il
came up for the third reading, Ar. Harm
mopej thu it be ~indsfnitely postponed.
II Since tho "record' IS called for, to t
"rccOrd' again.
v Another bill was drafted and adopted
the committee Of one hundred, calling
such reduction of freight rates az the co
v missioncrs of railroads said was Just and I,
It to both railroad aud the people. Mr.. Harm
coted against that bill.
To tho Record" once more.
T. A bill known as the ''Grain BIr' was /
81 fore the legislature asking that the produt
l and shipper Of wheat and corn might have
a. the city of st. Louis, o di.intcrestcd party
In stand between tho seller and buyer. to
that the men who buy and weigh the gr;
H. should give a fair inspection and just wciG
Mr.. Harmon eoted dgaiDst that bill.
H. Docs Mr.. Harmon deny these statesmen
ur II SO, the proof Is forthcoming.
lit Again, we say. citizens of johnson and
he fayette, let us choose wisely the man who
t., ! to represent US in the senate.