The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-09-23
Their Three-Day Session Arouses
Discussion on Revenues
and Roads.
FAVOR HIGHWAY COMMISSION.
Both Republicans and Democrats
Agree That Democratic Plat
form Should Be Car
ried Out.

As n first result OF the three-dsy ses-
sion of the County Clerks Association of
Missouri. the next General Assembly may
be asked to adopt new legislation relating
TO revenue. roads and other matters. The
County Clerks. all the strongest politicians
in their counties. have agreed on some
things irrespective OF party, and when
they make application to the Assembly
they will be heard. and that attentiveiy.
President J. l. Phelps OF Jackson
County was empowered TO appoint COM
mittees to make special recommendations
to the next Assembly relating to revenue
and road laws. Another committee win
see that law is introduced compelling
all abstractors 10 have a bond for the
proper performance OF their duties.
In some counties" said former Presi-
dent B. H Rucker OF Phelps County.
'7and spectators prey upon innocent
purchasers by getting cheap abstractors
10 prepare rapers indicating that the
titles to the lands in question are perfect
when. as a matter OF fact, they are far
from being so.
cause the aostractor is not under bond.
Communities are given bad names when
this practice is carried on to any degree.
The present law makes no provision for
a bond though IN the large cities some
Of the abstracting companies make a VOL
untary bond guaranteeing their title pa
pers, simply to attract business 1t should
be made compulsory and our association
will do what It can to put such law on
the books"
The meeting Of the County Clerks
the bills recommended by the Tax Com
missioner two years ago were defeated
in the Assembly, During the three-iay
discussion. the clerks indicated that they
were opposed to the publication OF as
sessment lists, one OF the supposedly
strongest bills recommended by the $500
to the Board Of Equslization's assessing
bank stocks and believe that this should
be done by the counties
TO RECOMMEND DIRECT TAN
Corporation assessments generally
should be made by the counties. accord
ing to the County Clerks. The commit
tee which shall appoint to look into
this matter" said President Phelps after
adjournment yesterday noon. probably
chief revenue from a direct tax Missouri
now has the lowest tax rate IN the Union.
That rate easily could be raised without
any hardship and the counties given the
benefit Of local assessments OF corpora
lions. That would help out wonderfully
in nearly all of the counties"
The annual meeting Of the association;
At the Old st. Louis Restaurant, has been
the most successful in the history of the
six-year-old organization. There are only
ia County Clerks in the State. and nearly
100 OF these were registered for the meet
ing. These meetings have come to be re-
garded As OF great assistance in the work
OF the clerks. each Of whom recognizes
that his success as an oficeholder depeno9
In . large measure on effective work:
Tho social features OF the meeting have
been Of more than usual interest Apart
Missouri Commission gave a reception and
ball for the association at the Missouri
building Wednesday night Last night. the
members banqueted themselves and their
wives on the Pike President Phelps act
ed as POSTMASTER. and happy speeches
were made.
The new ofleers chosen by the associa-
ton are: President. J. L Phelps, Jack
eon County. Vice presidents-Loren A.
Seneker. Andrew County: Hugh X Cha
pin. Howell County: E. E. zimmerman.
Andrew County. Secretary. c. D. Manley.
Barry County. assistant secretary, ".
Roer. Cole County. Treasurer. J. A. Law
retary. J. W. Miller. Cape Girardeau
County.
At the meeting yesterday morning It
was decided to hold the session next year
on the third Tuesday in July. in Kansas
City. Resolutions were passed. thanking
and Captain OShea for their kfndnesses
A letter was read from George E. Ladd.
director Of the Rolla School Of Mines and
Metallurgy. suggesting improvements In
the road laws and the appointment OF
highway commission. This latter sugges-
platform The discussion IN the meeting
developed that every county clerk present.
both Republican and Democrat was in Ia
vor Of this plank in the platform