The Forrest City times., 1888-05-05

the back tax debt due by the Lit tie Rock R. R. to the State of Ark, and St. Francis County. For services; accomplishing less for the county, she has in the past been forced to pay $500 to 5000 dollars.
 Acting under the advice of eminent lawyers of the State: proceeded to construct temporary court house for the county. Eight or ten citizens of the county, ayailed themselves of technical ities, proceeded to enjoin tho building of same; I, having no purpose other than the best interest of the county, to defend those interests. employed MT. Gatling who performed the service faithfully and satisfactorily, and te whom paid legitimate fee. The commissioners urge, that since the ef- fort was a failure, should pay it, with the same propriety, I may urge, that since the present court house is only the completion of the purpose, with which three-fourths of the county arc thoroughly satisfied, there has been no failure.
 The temporary suspension. caused by the ofiiciousncss of individuals, being one of those things against which it be- comes my duty to protect the county, 1 lui thdb Rut kUSC, and do not think there is any question as to who should pay the fee. did it for the protection of the county.
 Had an impartial consideration of facts been the purpose of the commits sioners, they would not have fallen in- to the error of saying ''Item-hauling lumber, the bill only calls for l7S0 feet of lumber which to any part of town would only cost Sl.OO, we judge there must have been a large quantity of etc. hauled.' This is simply willful per- version of the facts. These same com missioners knew that there was much more hauled than this. and that the hauling was done'by other parties, or they could have known SO by calling s. k. Sweet to appear before them. He will explain this matter to the satisfac- tion of all fair minded people.
 As to the matter of l.. P. Feather ston and O.. H. Ravens, this will be ex- plained by l.. P. Featherston. It does seem that an impartial official tribunal would have extended as a courtesy to Featherston the privilege of state ment, when they had so anxiously sought one of Havens.
 Ast to claim (l19l) with regard to print ing, by an actual measurement made by the clerk it is by several dollars less than the legal fees allowed for the same work. I complied with the law.
 Attached, you will find certificates of Drs. Cummings and Alley as to the cases of Phillips and Houts, paupers. I must have pursued the course I did, or allowed human beings to die like brutes in a country claiming Christian ciyili- zation.
 In as much as there is an occasion al surplus of one fund and deficiency in another. I believe that 1 have not only the right but that it becomes my duty, to nse those funds to the very best advantage for the county.
 As to the commissioners advice to the county judge, as to business mat ters, thank them for it. l was on hand and anxious to save them and trouble. may be mistaken. but am of the impression that had there not been few mistakes or fancied ones, they would have died of sheer grief.
 To my friends throughout the county, l have this to say : Entering upon the performance of the duties of the office with only limited knowledge of the various forms, have faithfully and conscientiously done that which 1 con- celVeu 70 De rIgnt.
 1 invite the most rigid scrutiny of my official acts, am satisfied that any candid impartial examination will convince any one that have not squandered d single dollar of the public funds, nor have allowed it done by any one else.
 In refutation of the charge of reck- lessness and deficient business methods, made by the commissioners, I beg per mission to submit the following com parative estimate of expenses under my administration and those who have preceded me. I do this without any desire to reflect upon my official predecessors, and purely in self defense. Cost of ofmaintain'gpa gpaupers, '86, $i609. 50
 e ,'' ST, 630.42 Net saving to county -, S779.08 Total.expense of.county govrn't in 1886 $l4662.07. Total expenses of county government 1887, inclucing purchase of court house at $906; weights and measures at $l25; iron safe $l25; making a total of $l0SS3. 30.
 Net saving to county $3T7S.77 Permanent improvements, Sl155.40
 Total gain to county for one year, $4934.77.
 These are the results Of my honest, earnest endeavors to serve the county. 1t is for this, presume that am be- ing advertised, both through the col umns of the newspapers, and in circular of being both incompetent and dishon- est