Mexico weekly ledger., 1901-08-29
DR.. J. B HAWKINS.
Continues His Argument in Favor Of
Bonding the County for
Rock Roads.

MEXICO, Mo-, Aug. Give appear
this week without apology, except the
importance Of the subject, with
further argument in favor Of bonds
and rock roads. The editor Of the
baiegigaoer says "The doctor con
tinues his argument. while the major
ity Of the people are against him.
And we have been a little curious 70
know where he got his information.
We have seen and talked with many
OF the farmers this week, and with
but few exceptions they were all in
favor Of rock roads and the plans sug-
gested for building them.
Some came 10 my Office, very enthu-
slastic, and said many OF the farmers
had more rock on their farms than
they could quarry and deliver in sew
eral months and would more than pay
their part Of the taxes on the money
borrowed, besides getting rid Of the
useless rock on the farm.
Isn't that a practical idea and a
b~usiness-like proposition? Why, Mr..
Editor, should we hold out low taxes,
cheap property, etc, as an induce
ment to come to Mexico and TO the
county, when we are making no effort
to provide employment for the idle
ones already here and scores Of our
best citizens are seeking work else
where
Talk is very cheap, but facts are
stubborn things; and we shall have to
meet and deal with them, whether "
win or not
Isee In the columns Of the LEDGER
from Mr.. Buckner, Of Kansas City,
that the Mexico Banks have s5OO,OOO
deposit and anxious to put IL into
circulation, but find no demand for
it. Hundreds Of our people idle and
anxious TO work at almost any price,
but nothing to do. A bale Of hay and
a bushel Of corn costs me sl.5O. That
viii feed my team q days, scant.
What is TO become Of the men
whose teams and families are to be
fed for the next year by his daily
labOrg
MI. Editor, we had Just as well lift
the veil and remove the mask, and
consider the facts as they are; tell the
truth and shame old Beelzebub. This
condition Of things in Mexico is not
primarily the result Of the drouth. i
wish it were-the case would be more
hopeful-but 1t ante-dates the drouth
several years.
The best and safest doctor is a
good diagnostician who is careful in
locating the disease and making him
self thoroughly acquainted with its
nature and peculiar Characteristic,
then prescribing the needed rene
dies. Amy intelligent nurse can give
the medicine.
You rarely find a consumptlye that
believes be is much siek-just a little
indisposed from fresh cold OF a change
in the ~weather-wiIl be better when
the weather clears up. The doctor
some times speaks hopeful 10 the
patient and friends and says: Keep
the patient quiet and don't get
alarmed; no immediate danger" But
fearful experience and good common
sense say 10 the doctor Thou fool; your
patient is dying" Desperate rene
dles-even the knife and saw-must
be used sometimes 30 save life.
Now, Mr.. Editor, what are the facts
In the CASE Just a few yeaB ago
Mexico and AudraiB county had a
fouriShlng fair assoeiOtion, the pride
and patronage Of all the people, max
ing Mexico, as the LEDGER says, THE
center OF the world for fine horses. -
The grounds and appearances are
now for sale. Where is your sala-
mander, your wooden mills; your foun-
dry and stove factory; the division
yards q the c. & A. r. r. The last
yestige Of your creameries left a few
days ago for other parts for a new Job.
Where are these enterprises In
which you had invested your money,
and that give employment, and helped
to feed and clothe pour families.
Where are they? You say, echo an
sven where. They are gone where
the wood-bine twiBeth. These and
other enterprises have failed-haye 20.
q large extent for the lack Of local
patronage-and to III the cup Of bit
teness 10 overlooking and 20 stlll add
10 our desperation the sidewalks are
thrown into the streets and the
lights turned OF; pedestrians walk
the streets In the blaekness OF dark
ness and last but not least, the town
council, has been in continuous ses-
sion, deyising plans, whereby the
great DIANA u The Ephesiansr
might be kept IN sass qao by reducing
the license on the iBdispencibleS os-
sensibly because Of the dFouth The
same reasons would lower the taxes
on every licensed concern in the city.