The Forrest City times., 1888-05-12
AN RELAXATION.
Ths Courthouse aud Other Public Mat
 t-rs in Their True Light.
Respectfully
 4. c. WooD, Treas.

The Courthouse aud Other Public Mat
 ters in Their True Light.
 To the citizens of St. Francis county:
 Just why it was necessary for the commission to devote so much of its precious time to me, and my private af- fairs, 1 do not very clearly understand their effort to convey the impression that 1 have attempted to defraud the county, makes it due my friends that l explain the entire transaction. l was one of those citizens of the county, who favored a temporary courthouse, for the following reasons: l did not be- ,ieve the county should be totally at the disposal of any one as to place for holding it's courts. believed that the rents already paid out were lost, and might have been sayed--amounting to several thousand. l knew the iinan- cial condition Of the county did not justify the building of an expensive courthouse; not having the money, and being prevented from borrowing same, bya very wholesome constitutional pro- hibition. Under an act passed by the last legislature, l knew a suit against the Memphis and Little Rock railroad company, for between 800 900 and Sl0Q, O00, for back taxes due the state of Ark ausas and the county of sit. Francis, would be brought, and would be col lected; that the railroad could no longer eyade payment. The time which the railroads usually gain in the delays of the law is from four to five years. The portion to which St. Fransis county will be entitled, will be sufficient to build respectable courthouse, without the leyying of any additional tax for that purpose.
 At which tiRe the temporary building will be worth as much, or more than it's cost to the county and more than that amount will have been saved in rents. Certain other citizens, against whom have no complaint to enter, viewed the matter from different stand point, and had given notice of their opposition, by enjoIning an effort of the county judge to construct temporary courthouse and stood ready to repeat the process
 The Metnodists were offering their building for sale, l purchased It, with the lot upon which 1t now stands. and to prevent the recurrence of the injunc- ton process, with it's cost, had the deed made to C. II. Haven beieiving him to De honest. and that Ee would, at my request at any time. sign reiinquishncIt of nominal title. Fms nr did.
 The house was never offered lo Jad-e C0ffey. The law was complied with strictly, and the proposition submitted directly to the justices of the county, in court assembled. These gentlemen in d body, adjourned to the building and after d carefni examination, return ed to the court room, and accepted the proposition without single dissenliag voice-which proposition vas SJ50 for the house and lot, and not to exceed S350 for removal. for which removal gave bond with the understanding that whatever less than that amount 1t could be done for would be returned to the treasury. The removal was accom- plished for the sum of S325 and the bal ance returned to the treasury. Five hundred dollars invested for fonr and One-haif months interest S20 Expen- ses three trips to Memphis, s25, making a totalOf $45. O1her incidental expense, absorbed $50, and the enormous profit, which the commissioners find is not there. 1 did not undertake it with the view of making q single dollar. At the time of the completion of the contract, and its being received 1 was expected to die every day, and this l presume was the reason of deed from church to C. II. Haven being recorded at the expense of the county. This 1 had not thought of |. and am ready to pay, being Sl.7s. l do not suppose my right to purchase is de- nied. With that remains the right to sell, hope.
 The legitimate inference is that the county court, composed of all tue jus tices Of the county, are capable of pro- teeting the interests of the county.
 l made them an offer and they acctpt- ed it. Wherefore then, all this com motion? No dollar of profit to me, and if the magistrates got anything l have never heard them complain on ae- count of the feeling cngendered at the time.
 It affords me no pleasure to present 10 the public reiteration of these mat ters, and it should not have been done, had 1t not been for the swiftness of the commi ssion tO insinuate.
 Yours truly,
 L. P FEArilERsT0E.