The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1900-03-01
THE COURT HOUSE PROPOSITION.
lt Would Be An Economical Measure
aud the Taxes Would Not Prove
Burdensome

. The county court has submitted a
proposition to the voters of the
county to build new court
house, which proposition can be
found in full in another column. The
voter is asked to vote for a direct
levy of ID cents on the 800 assessed
valuation, to extend over a period OF
three wears. 1t is estimated that
such levy will raise about $40, 900.
Thirteen cents on the 800 valua-
ton means a tax of $50 on every
81. 900 assessed valuation. That is.
if one owns n farm OF 100 acres.
which is assessed at $40 per acre, or
a total OF : 900. his taxes for each
wear would be S13O. or $500 for
the three years. Not very much. is
it? Ii you have 10 acres and ii Is
assessed at s. per acre, or $500, your
tax will be IL cents per year, or S1-26
for the three years Eighty acres at
| the same rate would be 81 cents. or
1892 in full for the three years. We
endeavor 10 make this plain. because
an effort is being made to convince
the tax payer that under such levy
taxes would be enormous. when in
fact, as anyone can readily figure. ii
will be mere bagatelle
This is the only proposition before
the people, bear in mind. and do not !
get confused from the talk of our
neighbors ON the south border of the |
county, that they will submit a prop !
osition to build court house to cost |
$50, 900, if they can secure the county
seat We have no doubt if the peo-
pie OF Bates county desired to put up
the county seat at public auction to
the highest bidder. that Il much larg-
er sum would be offered by more than
one point.
Let us take an example and show
the farmer OF north Bates the absurd
ity from an economical standpoint,
of even this talk of our neighbOr.
You own 100 acres, which is assessed
at 81 $50, YOU have personal prop
erty To the value of 800. or IA total
assessed valuation OF S1.1SO. At 13
cents levy YOU would pay yearly
tax of 50 b or SG96 in full for the
three wears. You are compelled to
90 to the county seat located at Rich
Hill. You come TO Butler and in
stead OF being able TO complete your
business and return home. YOU put
your team in a livery stab bic and take
the noon train. You will be com
PEELED to wait until 10 O'Clock at
night for a train back, which will ne
ressitate supper. On your return
to Butler it will be too late to return ,
home. Figure your expenses. Rail
road fare, 20 cents; supper. bed and
breakfast. 81: board for team 30
cents, or Il total of 81 20 not count
ing the loss of n day which would be-
ut least another dollar How many
trips would you have to make to the
seat To pay the full amount
Of your taxes. SO sc. to build a. But
Ter.
1t might be said YOU could drive
in good weather. but it
would take another half day on the
road. besides the wear and tear on
your wagon and team. Then for
large part of the year the Marias dies
Cygne bottoms are impossible So
from an economical standpoint it is
absurd.
We are now paving out in rents a
lair interest an about S13, 900. This
will continue from year to year until
4 court house is built Besides. if
this proposition is voted down. it
will necessitate other elections for the
same purpose which are expensive
Injuries. as you all know Therefore.
rom an economical standpoint. it
would be the part of wisdom to vote
his levy.
This Is not Butler or Rich Hill
but one which belongs to
the people OF the county. They own
the present beautiful and shady site I
n the center Of Butter, which Is the
county seat, the geographical center |
Of the county, and will remain 50 to
The end of time. 1t is with the people
20 say whether they will vote this
low levy and build the a
.ourt house. or let the matter drag