Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1905-07-06
NO ROAD TAX AID
For Paving OF West Barraque
Until Courts Pass on
Injunction.
THIS PAVING DISTRICT is HAv.
ING AN Cup AND DOWN
TIME" OF IT.
EiSst the Half Block on Chestnut Was
Bone Of Contention. But That
Is Settled.
Ei6st the Half Block on Chestnut Was
THE OUTCOME NOT IN SIGHT

lne west Baraque street paving
matter has become the Banauo's
ghost of municipal affairs-the skel-
eton in the municipal family closet.
Wherever Cne turns, in whatsoever
branch of the city governments af-
fairs. it bobs up serenely with a Wis
age that is ominously uncompromis-
ing. West Barraque gives promise
of becoming bone of contention that
Will harass the peace of this peace
able city, until that section of the city
becomes synonym for trouble. un-
less the matter be settled in an ami
cable manner pretty soon.
Many moons ago. when improve
ment districts became fashionable in
Pine Bluff. certain citizens interested
in the welfare and Immediate i'm
provement, in permanent manner,
Of that section of the city known as
West Rarraque took II into their
heads, unfortunately it seems. by sub
sequent events. to ask the city council
to form one of the new districts fer
paving that street. New II seems that
the petitioners for this favcr failed to
include N the proposed new district
certain part of the earths surface
known as Chestnut street. and includ-
ing but half a block of the same. run
ming into Barraque in that particular
locality honored with the location of
the Daily Graphic office. II is also
hOnored with several other structures
and businesses. but it would be cn!y
confusing to enumerate all of them.
And hereby hangs tale The city
fathers, including a number of fore
fathers. together with some of their
descendants who, were net fathers, de.
clared this little strip of mother earth
chestnut street must be includ-
ed In the new improvement district or
the petitioners for the same would
have to- &C back and sit down for
awhile. They went back and sat down
for awhile; then came again.
There was still another reason ad-
vanced why this petition should not
be granted; it was said that the
county should appropriate at least
half cf the money therefor, whereas
Judge Kerwin was immune to all per-
suasion, and refused to give more
than $4,000. This would force the
city to appropriate about $1,000. AL
derman Boyce was the gentleman who
put his negative foot down on the
proposition at late lamented session
of the council. and the West Barraque
improvement district went to sleep.
It's slumbers were so profound for
,xwhile that many people thought it
was dead. Net SO. however. The
day prior to the convening of the last
session Of the council. the Graphic
predicted that the matter would come
up in that body again, and it had to
come. To the surprise of some PEE.
pie the ordinance creating the new
district was passed and the money
appropriated.
Here the council drops cut CT the
story, for the scene shifts to the
courthouse again.
A numerously-signed petition of tax
payers CT Jefferson county was re-
Gently presented to Judge Elliott, ask
ing for an order restraining the sher-
iff and tax collector, Mr.. Gould. from
paying over to the county treasurer
the money collected by him as county
road tax, under certain amendment
10 the state constitution carrying
certain tax levy for read purposes.
It was alleged that this amendment
had never been legally passed and
was therefore void Judge Elliott
granted temporary Injunction. thus
tying up the county road funds with
the sheriff.
All this happened before the city