Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
WORKING THE FARMERS.
Road Grader Agent Pulls Wool Over the
Eyes of some of Them
In Otisco.

ftohu 1rauer agent iuiis "ooi 0'o' s"o
Eyes of Some of Them
In Otisco.
On or about Dec. lst, one OF those
smart young men who go around the
country trying TO beat the farmers out
OF their hard earned dollars, made his
appearance in Otisco. About that
date he appeared at township clerk w.
L. Reeves accompanied by Chas. Du-
mon, justice OF the peace. They called
for Mr.. Reeves but he was putting a
new roof on his house and refused to
stop. Through Mrs. Reeves they
gained a chance to copy the records OF
several road districts. Thus armed
and equipped Mr.. Agent started in to
sell road grader to road districts No.
l8. II and 28. He had as assistants at
different periods, Chas. Dumon, Rob.
Ellis and G. e. Hotchkiss, aud met
with varying degrees OF success. Mrs
Ingalls, and O. S. Osborn opposed it.
III. A. Dibble said when they needed
one they were capable OF buying 1t
without outside assistance. Vern Da-
Wis and r. b. Oowles refused to sign
his paper. Facts were frequently mis-
represented in order to get men TO sign.
III. S. Forman refused to sign but was
told they did not care whether he
signed or not as two thirds OF the dis
trict had signed. Mr.. Forman said he
could kick and was informed IL was
useless, for they were going TO have 1t
anyway. He however, began a little
investigation on his own account, found
they had misrepresented the facts, al
so failed to have majority OF the tax
able property as provided by law.
So he drew remonstrance and got ev-
cry resident taxpayer in his district to
sign it, and In company with Henry
Dibble presented ii TO the highway
commissioner, who said he thought it
was too late as he supposed they had
already ordered the grader. Forman
asked if there was contract attached
TO the petition, whereby the petition
ers had ordered the grader. Mr.. Ba-
sen, the commissioner said, II don't
know, the man was In a hurry and |
did not stop to read it. l just noticed
it was for road grader, to cost $3.50
and saw the names signed to it and
supposed it was all right, and l signed
it," r. b. Cowles and Eli Witt also
circulated remonstrances, getting a
large majority of the taxpayers of
their districts. The law provides that
the highway commissioners may pur-
chase, and we are informed on good le-
gal authority that had the overseers Of
road district No. Is, II and 2S petition
ed the commlssionerand every taxpay-
er signed the petition, it would still be
optional with him to purchase or not
But the business was done with rush,
Mr.. Blasen signed it but did not read
it. We are informed by Supervisor
Hoppough that some three or four
weeks ago Dumon approached him IN
regard to buying another road grader
for the township and he told him he
would have nothing to do with it as we
had one and it was not used one-haf
the time. TAXPAYER.
The BANNER gives space to the
above communication received from a
we'll known resident OF Otisco town
ship. We do not pretend to have any
knowledge of the merits OF the matter
but have been endeavoring since re"eiv-
ing the same TO learn the opinions OF
others conversant with the facts. There
seems TO be two sides as there usually
Is to all such matters. 1t is claimed by
others that it Is a square business deal
that the agent a Mr.. Tennent, repre-
: senting a large Chicago concern is sim
endeavoring to make sale OF a ma
chine that he may make profit upon
it OF course. That those who signed
the petition knew the price set and Il
they thought it too high they were not
obliged to sign. We also understand
, that the order has not gone In for the
reason that he has not yet secured 6
majority of the tax-paying property
The BANNER is not in favor of fraud,
or deceit aud we put this matter be
2 fore our readers so that 1t may bc
thoroughly sifted, and il there is any
thing not exactly right and lawful tina
, 1t may be found out and exposed, anC
the people benefited.
MCPHEE.LIITLE.