The Cairo bulletin., 1904-02-11

!
and population which has Away,
characterized Illinois new conditions
are constantly arising that call fol
the enactment of new laws and the
application of new methods and prin
ciples. The county board is often
called npon 60 act upon some recently
passed enactment OF the legislature
which has never received the inter
probation of the higher conris. II may
involve the assessment OF additional
burdenR Of taxation and powerful cor
perate interests may attempt to pre-.
vent It's enforcement II then be.
comes necessary for the county board
to act with intelligent independence
in the construction of the statute.
Such construction should always be
In harmony with she progressive want
and sentiments of the people Of the
county. rather than along the lines
of staDdstill conservatism, or worse
still positive retrogyeSl1n In other
words, gentlemen, would say. give
the benefit of the doubt to the posi-
tive and not the negative side. TO the
doing of something progressive or re.
formative. rather than to the policy
If standing still and doing nothing.
for fear that somebody win kick.
Good often comes ont of n struggle
although il may end IN defeat for the
board, have in mind an illustration
rom our own experience here in Alex
ander county. A necessity was long
felt for d road from Cairo To the hills
hat would be above the high water
from the Ohio and Mississippi river
Al all seasons OF the year. BY tbs
efforts of citizens OF Cairo and their,
member OF the senate. an act OF the
General Assembly was secured giving
rs the Thigh Water Road Law" pro
vidng that the county board. upon
petition OF certain number OF voter
might submit to the electors Of the
county. the question of levying. for
ten years, a tax OF not to exceed 80
cents on the 800 Of valuation foi
the building of a permanent "fIigh
Water Road" from Cairo to the hills
above all danger OF overflow from The
rivers With much outlay of EFFORT tn
was submitted and car
ried and the tax levied over the OBJ |
iections Of the lawyers representing
certain corporate interests that op |
posed the movement. The collection |
ii the High Water Road tax" wa |
,njoined by the circuit court; we then |
ook the case to the supreme court /
yhere it was finally decided adversely |
o the county. the law being held IN |
After long, hard |
we lost the fight for The "His, /
Water Road, but gentlemen. note The !
'esnlt: The press was united for tho |
Dad anl discussed the subject from |
very imaginable standpoint. tie peo |
Die for d time talked OF little else. I'M |
II sentiment in favor OF road To /
he hills and in favor Of better roads |
everywhere in the county took pos |,
,ession OF the public mind and worked |
i revolution In tho matter of roads
Nearly all the taxpayers cheertully |
,aid the first years assessment for
he High Water Road" notwlth.
the decision OF the courts |
.gainSt its nnconssitutionality. The
,onnty board with the money thus
obtained built few miles of excel
ent gravel road and every year since
rave added miles OF good hard roads
hereto, despite legal limitations to It's
axing powers and the opposition Of
he lawyers who guard the interests
4 nonresident corporations who do
lot feel directly benefited by the i'm
,rovemcnt OF our county roads. As a
awyer do not counsel you to ignore
ne clear provisions and limitations Of
he statute, but do believe and insist 7
hat Ii is your duty to constrne the
aw with Independent and fearless
iberaIity in favor OF progress and the
nown wants OF the people
A county board should be honcst'F
'eyond question. No department Of
national, state Of city
las been so free from the blighting
nd demoralizing influence of graft
nd Doodle as that OF our county gov
In nearly all 6f the larger
tiles dhd ID many Of our state leg
and sad TO shy, even In
ONE DEPARTMENT. Of the national gov.
rnment, the boodler ha9 left his trail |
I scandal and corruption and nothing
ut the strong hand Of the law has
cen sufficient to loosen his vulture-
Ike grip upon the spols filched from I
he public treasury.
IT is a proud privilege, however. to
e able TO boast that no state in the
MON has had fewer defalcations a
ounty officers and less suspicion of