The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1900-10-20
Reply to Tax DOdger.

| Kepiy 10 l6A DO0gef.
EDITOR DEMoCRAT:-In response to
various enquiries / desire to state
that l did not write that card publish
ed in Saturdays issue to enter into
newspaper discussion, hut l was
reliably informed that had been and
was accused Of having that list pub
llished in the Herald" and thus
simply wrote that cad to set the
people right in that matter.
But since reading the article of the
so-called Tax Dodger," 1 feel, in
justice to myself and the pubic, that
l should make reply to that article.
AS to publishing a list of the people
who Were sued for taxes last year. I
feel that that would be far beneath the
dignity of any henorabl collector to
do so. l did not bring those tax
suits for notoriety nor for the purpose
of huRilating the parties sued. But
| felt and still feel that the people
elected ME to my Office for the purpose
OF collecting the taes and when | took
oath to perform the duties of said
Office according to the laws of Mis-
souri, with favor 10 no one. | also
found that when made my settlement
with the County Court that l had to
again hold up my right hand and
swear that l had used every means
that the law preseribes to collect the
taxes.
With these facts staring me in the
face there was only one thing to do
and that was to proceed to collect
from every one alike, and which 1 did
without fear or favor, and which l
promise the people TO continue to do
il reelected on the 9Th of Novem Der,
1900, a. D.
Mr.. Editor, there has been a great
deal said about my bringing the tax
suits in Jackson and that l was not
a home man and that l was taking
everything away from the Cape-my
home tOwn-that l could.
This is not only an Unjust but a very
wrongful accusation for every dollar
that / have on earth is invested in |
Cape Girardeau. ana there is no pub
lie enterprise started in Cape Girar-
ardeau to which l have not contributed |
my share both in labor and money |
and | do not think that any man can
say that | have not always
been home man, and contributed |
my little mite to the upbuilding of
our little city of which We are all
proud.
| will explain why brought those
lax suits in Jackson. 1t was because
Of the position taken by the Judge of
he Common Pleas Court in regard to
.hese tax matters and with which
every one is familiar. Well then it is
said why did you not bring those
suits in the J. p. Court here instead
of at Jackson. My dear sir, the
'eason is that the law says all appeals
rom the j. P. Courts in Cape Town
ship must 60 to the Common Pleas
Court and further, it was December
before l could get my attorney to
BRING single suit for personal taxes
n these j. p. Courts and at that time
very one knows how busy the collec-
or is and l had no time to 90 to every
ownship in the county to bring these
uits.
As 10 the Constable of Jackson, he
5 an officer OF the law, elected by the .,
,eOple and under bond for the per- {
ormance of his duties, his office is in ;
10 wise connected with mine whatso- {
Her, and therefore neithhr can l be |
Tor am responsible for his acts or !
onduct. Therefore, Mr.. Editor. | do
20 not think any honest. reasonable
nan would blame me with the acts or .
lisdeeds of any constable in the =
ounty. 1
Again thanking you for your t
ourtesv and kindness ] am. :
Very truly, i
E. W. FLENTGE. II