The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1886-10-14
THE ASSAULTS ON SMITH.g
Let Us Turn the Tables and Claim Due
Credit for Good Work Done.
County fairs Economically Managed
Near Half Million Added to the
Duplicats--The Bridge Fund
Debt Reduced. Etc.

The Repository OF MONDAY nad tne
following fling at Commissioner Smith:
1t appears that In Stark county Demo
cratic Commissioners pay fer the plans
for infirmsry buildings just for the fun
of building them on paper. This Is
nearly as bad as building castles In the
air, which Commissioner Smith is gen.
orally accused of doing, when he In
dulges In the fancy that he will be re-
elected.
And II Mr.. Smith "indulges in the
fancy that he will be reelected" we
think it reasonable fancy" quite like
ly to be realized.
The people of Stark county are not
likely to heed the false clamOr Of the
Foraker Mckinley fraud organs; and
trample down one of the most cOmDe-
tent and worthy County Commissioners
we ever had.
Aonzo Smith builds no 'castles in
the air." nor bridges to accommodate
interested parties. His is practical
nature, faithfully and honestly dischsrg
ing his public duties without fear or
favor.
The Court of Common Pleas ordered
the County Commissioners to erect a
building for the county insane. In To-
eating this bnilding care was had to
place it on an elevated situation In Or
der to have good drainage.
In view too of the fact that a new In
firmsry building with more room was
needed and could not much longer be
delayed, 1t was thought advisable to
have the same architect make COM
plete draft, so that all should conform
and be adapted 10 the new structure for
the insane. Could anything be more
sensiblep
So much then for "the plans referred"
to. ALI sensible people who know the
situation will say "sll right" Last year
outdoor relief cost the county some
$4,000, when with proper capacity at
the Infirmary much Of this annual ex-
pense would be saved. This drafting
then is not for the "fun Of building
them on paper" This drafting will not
need to be paid for again.
But let Us enumerste a few other |
things actually done for which Commis-
sioner Smith deserves some credit.
The Republican Commissioners had
spent money lavishly on bridges and |
left a bridge debt Of some forty thous-
and dollars. Last year 1t was reduced
ten thousand dollars and In q short
time will be lessened about as much |
more. Give Commissioner Smith proper
credit for this sort OF "fun."
Again, a short time ago the Board of
Commissioners, Of which Mr.. Smith is
chairman, determined to search for
property which was paying no taxes, or
not paying Its share. This good work
Is not completed by any means but has
already added to the taxable property
Of the county about $44O.OOOl Give Mr..
Smith q little credit for this piece Of
"fun."
In Alliance was found $4,000 Of the
$4,000. In one case, piece Of proper
ty valued at $3.50 on the duplicate,
and was only taxed on this amount Of
course, rented for $500 a year. The
value Of said property was duly raised
by the Commissioners 30 that the owner
should pay taxes like his neighbors.
This man Is very bitter against Commits
sioner Smith, for no other reason than
that Smith has done his duty. All honor
we say to such a Commissioner. and such
a piece Of "fun."
A County Commissioner should not be
a man of easy virtue; but man Of such
integrity that he dares to do his duty.
Such a man is Alonzo Smith. He has
been tried, and has not been found
wanting. We say give him second
term for be is every way worthy. The