Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1898-02-19
The Taxpayers Of Baxter Springs
Turn Out and Discuss the
Attorney Bill.
The Sentiment Almost Unanimous
That the Bill ls too filgh-Many
Think the Mayor ID not En-.
titled to More Than Ills
Actual Expenses.
An Effort on the Part Of the Mayor
and q Few Followers to Adjourn
the Meeting Was Promptly
Voted Down.


tax payers of the city met in the
city hall Friday night to discuss
the Norton and Perry attorney bill
of $500 now pending before the
city council.
A. Willard was chosen as chair.
man and Frank Newhonse and C. F,
Noble secretaries.
Samuel II. Smith was called upon
to explain the object of the meeting,
which he did in brief; said he al
ways understood Norton was act.
ing as mayer of the city and never
heard he was employed as an at.
torney. If he was legally employed
as an attorney he should receive
some compensation. If not so en-
ployed he should receive none; said
he did not believe there had been a
legal meeting of the council in six
months, and was positive the meet
ing held when the fees were allowed
was wholly. illegal; thought 5000
would be an ample fee for both
Perry and Norton, but would con-
cede $3.50.
c. W. Daniels seemed to have
made mistake in the character of
the meeting aud devoted most of
his time to politics. In substance
he said: II would call your atten.
tiOn to the last report of Dun's CON-
mercial agency showing an increase
of 80 per cent in the clearings over
any subsequent year. I would call
your attention to the fact that
wheat is higher than il has been in
ten years; that we have more corn
than ever before; there are more
men at work and they are receiving
better wages; that we have more
drug stores and more general pros
perity than we ever had during
democratic rule. l believe this is
wholly due to the grand old Repub-
lican party which saved the nation
in time of war and again in time of
bankruptcy.
THE statistics show an increase
in the population of Cherokee coun.
ty for the past three years ranging
from 5000 to 4.5OO. We have the
best county in Kansas-There will
be more city lots cold and more
new houses built in Baxter Springs
in 1893 than in any previous year.
The future is bright for our city
aud we as citizens should all stand
together for the best interests of
the town and not try to pull one
another down. Let us discuss our
affairs harmoniously as business
men and patriotic citizens. ,
at is proper the citizens should
meet at this time and discuss
questions of importance in which
they are all interested. We have a
right to discuss and criticise the
actions of our officials. When the
time comes that an American free
born citizen shall be barred from
criticising the public acts of the
city council, or Mayor Norton, or
Governor Leedy, or Webb Mccall.
I shall pack my grip for Missouri"
Mr.. Daniels said he had taken
financial interest in every bunco
humbug and gold brick scheme
that ever came to Baxter from the
mill dam 10 the dam apple sass
factory and had right to say
something of city affairs. He said
he supposed Mr.. Norton was acting
in the suit. in the capacity of mayor
or committee from the council as
all other mayors had done before
without charge except necessary
expenses, but if the mayor had
been employed as an attorney he
was entitled to fee, but even then
we should have right to "dicker'
with him and get our work done as
cheaply as possible. He asked Mr..
Norton to apologize for CHASING
him with the ex-mayors and bood-
lers of Baxter Springs, which he
did. Mr.. Daniels closed by urging
all TO vote the Republican ticket
and insure their ultimate salvation
Ia the world to come.
Prof. Noble spoke very earnestly
as to the necessity of everybody
for themselves. He said
here were too many who allowed
other people TO think for them. In
his canvas of the town he saw 30
people and only one but thought
he fee bill too large. Now there
we're several who were permitting |
,thers TO think for them, and they
.hink, or rather let some one else
.hink for them, that the bill is too
ow.
R. ]. Hiuer. "There can be no
rood come out of such a meeting
10 this. thought the bill wac too
iigh and think 30 yet, but we don't
want another Law suit. We elected
his council, and the time to think
Q when we select our men to fill
,uch places. When I wac In the
council we did good many illegal
hinge and squandered q good deal
If the city funds by request of the
:itizens N just such q meeting as
hia."
A. Willard said such meetings
%. cot pro1iahlsi thought Norton J.