The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1903-01-15
Road and Poll Tax Releases Rescinded.

Road and Poll Tax Releases ReScinded.
The following was adopted at the last
session of the county court, and order
ed published
Whereas it appears from the records
of the county court and from common
observation that there are at this time
exempt from payment of poll tax and
road duty many ablebodied men and
many others whose disability is not
such as contemplated by law in such
cases.
And whereas, many Of the releases
so granted are SO worded and in other
ways so defective that their true intent
and purpose can not be obtained.
And whereas, other of said releases
have outlived their usefulness and do
not serve the purpose for which same
were granted, but have become only
the means of protecting the unworthy.
And whereas, the number of hands
subject to road duty and the number of
persons subject to poll tax has become
so small as to largely embarrass the
building of public roads, and the con-
tinuing of our free school system, with
out greatly increasing the burden OF
taxation on all
And whereas, such state of affairs
is a discredit on the county and reflec-
tion on the worthy who alone are emit
tied TO such exceptions as the court
may grant.
And whereas, the granting of releases
is matter of grace with the court, and
not such as any one can claim as mat
ter of right; be it therefore
Resolved, That each and every re-
lease heretofore granted by the court
be and the same is hereby recalled and
annulled.:
Resolved, That hereafter no release
from poll tax and road duty shall be
granted by the court except in the fol-
lowing manner and under the following
conditions:
/. All applications for release from
poll tax or road duty shall be made at
the April term of the court.
g. No release shall be granted unless
the disability complained Of shall have
! continued for at least six months before
application is made and 80 certified to
by physician.
8. No application for release from
poll tax or road duty shall be considered
l by the court Except those hereinafter
mentioned) unless said applicant shall
. first secure the affidavit of reputable
Q physician Of the county to the effect
q that he has made personal examination
: of said applicant, and finds him to be
Q suffering from some disability (describ
9 ing same), that it has been OF Longer
= duration than six months, and that Il
IS the best of his knowledge said appli
Q cant is not able to make his support by
it manual labor or physical exertion by
II reason of such disability and then shall
secure the written Endorsement of a
least one of his district magistrates, ant
l. give five days notice of his intended
y application to the road overseer OF hi
u district, which notice duly served, shall
be attached to and become part o
;, said application.
81 No release shall be granted for
i longer period than one year unless SAT-
!. physicians certificate shall state, o
"a unless the court should be of the opin
Is ion that the disability complained of
- permanent.
Any one deprived of both eyes, on
"A or both hands or arms, one or both fee
r or legs, or such disability as shall b
70 equivalent to same, may be released
ie on the Applicant appearing in cour
ia and exhibiting such disability, withou
Or producing certificate Of physician, etc
ID Be it further ordered, that if it Is in
stituted before any justice of the peac
of said county, wherein the validity {
le this order is attacked, by way of defens
a or otherwise, and any decision isre
e. dered by such justice adverse to the il
ID terests of the county, that the party s
id prosecuting on behalf of the county b
fy authorized to prosecute or defend sal
suit, through any Of the courts of thi
state at the expense of said county
Provided that for the costs of only on
- of such suits will the county becom
~ liable.
:. Be it further resolved, That this rel
olution shall take effect from and ate
its passage.