The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1900-02-22
THE COURT HOUSE PROPOSITION.
II Would Be An Economical Measure
and the Taxes Would Not Prove
Burdensome.
Burdensome.

been condemned by the proper au
thorities and abandoned and tn
county is now paying six hundred
: dollars per annum iii rentsfor offices
The county court has submitted {
proposition to the voters of the
county to build a new court
house, which proposition can be
found in full in another column. The
voter is asked to vote for a direct
levy OF - cents on the 800 assessed
valuation, to extend over a period oil
three years 1t is estimated that
such IA levy will raise about $40, 900.
Thirteen cents on the 800 yalua-
ton means tax of 81 30 OH every
81 900 assessed valuation. That is.
if one owns farm Of 100 acres.
which is assessed at 80 per acre, or
a total of 81 900, his taxes for each
year would be 81 30, or 81 80 for
the three years Not very much, is
lit? Ii you have 40 acres and it is
assessed at IS per acre, or 1920, your
tax will be ~ cents per year. or 81 20
for the three years Eighty acres at
the same rate would be 81 cents, or
49, in full for the three years. We
endeavor to 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, it
will be a mere bagatelle
This is the only proposition before |
the people, bear in mind, and do not |
get confused from the talk of our
nelghbOrs on the south border of the |
county, that they will submit prop
osition to build IA court house to cost
800, 900, if they can secure the county
seat. We have no doubt if the pee
pie of Bates county desired to put up
the county seat at public auction to
the highest bidder, that a much larg-
er sum would be offered by more than
one point
Let us take an example and show
the farmer of north Bates he ABSURD
lty from an economical standpoint.
of even this talk of our neighbor.
You own 100 acres, which is assessed
at $1 ,2S0, you have personal prop
arty to the value of $500, or a total
assessed valuation of 81, 7SO. At Ii
cents levy you would pay yearly
tax of $2.:}2 or Sc SO in full for the
lhree years. You are compelled to
20 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
5our team in livery stable and take
he noon train. You will be COM
,elled to wait until 10 O'Clock at
light for a train back, which will ne
essitate supper. On your return
20 Butler it will be too late to return &
home. Figure your expenses. Rail L
Dad fare, 20 cents; supper, bed and L
breakfast, 81 board for team so L
ents, or total of 81 20 not count a
ng the loss of a day which would be b
It least another dollar. How MANY a
rips would you have to make to the v
ounty seat to pay the full amount $
# your taxes, 600, to build at But V
ar a
1t might be said you could drive o
Trough IN good weather, but it G
-ould take another half day on the
DAD, besides the wear and tear on q
our wagon and team. Then for a |,
irge part of the year the Marias DIES
ygne bottoms are impossible. So
'om an economical standpoint it is
bsurd.
We are now paging out in rents /
alr interest an about S13, 900. This :
MI continue from year to year until
court house is built. Besides, if n
his proposition is voted down. it a
MI necessita,e other elections for the c
anne purpose which are expensive I
lxurles. as you all know. Therefore. b
ON an economical standpoint. it II
ouid be the part of wisdom to vote .,
his levy. II
This Is not a Butler or Rich Hill :.
lterprise, but one which belongs to St
ne people OF the county. They own d
lie present beautiful and shady site .,
the center OF Butler, which is the
'unty seat, the geographical center n
the county, and will remain so tol g
lie end OF time 1t is with the people d.
say whether they will vote this ..
low law and h,nila tho