The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1906-10-11
THAT DRAINAGE DITCH.
What Two Prominent Citizens,
Of Different Political Views,
Think Of the Enterprise.

Think Of the Enterprise.
Communication from East Boon.)
The following conversation was
heard between two prominent tax
payers oi the north side OF Bates re-
Gently:
Mr.. C. Good morning, neighbor
Henry.
MIR. Il. Good morning to you, Mr..
Caldwell.
Mr.. c. This has been a great year
for Bates County, hasn't it2
Mr.. He Yes indeed. l have scarce
ly ever seen a season when rains
came so nearly to suit the best de-
velopment Of our crops.
Mr.. c. Yes! Yes! Well this crop
and the prices II will bring and the
good prices Of our stock should put
the people Of Bates county on easy
street.
Mr.. Fl. Yes. Il will at least those
who have any management. Why
our ueighbor Mcclellan sold a last
spring mule recently for 800. Think
OF 1t. | think the old time saying
that the farmer Is always a kicker
on conditions needs change now.
Mr.. c. Iagree with you. By the
way Mr. Henry, what do you think
about this drainage business.
Mr.. 81. Well l have made no In
vestigation as to this statement we
hear about the county being liable
for the ditch bonds and the expenses
paid, but do not believe the county
lie liable in any way. l consider the
ditch matter entirely a matter with
the people. l think II we were trying
to make great public improvement
here In our township and the people
over the county outside OF our town
ship we're Quitting In" trying to
make our matter q political Issue
and telling US what was best to do
as great many people seem deter
mined to do In this drainage business
who are outside oil that valley and
own no land, we would feel like tell
Ing them to attend to their own
business. 1t looks to me like q com
mendable enterprise. That is about
the way l feel about 1t, Mr.. Caldwell.
Mr.. C. I agree with you, Mr..
Henry.
Mr.. H. understand Nr. Caldwell
you have made some investigation
as to the county being liable In this
matter and have been wanting to
see you for some time to hear what
you thought Of 1t since investiga
ting.
Mr.. G. Yes, I have investigated
to my satisfaction. After thorough
investigation l know that one who
claims the county will be liable for
the payment Of those ditch bonds OF
any Of the expense will have to be
looked upon as belonging to one ol
the following classes:
First. He has not investigated
and is talking oisomething he knows
nothing Of, or;
Second. 1.-The has investigated and
makes such claims he can't under
stand the English language and will
have to pass as an ignoramus, or;
Third. II he has investigated and
has an intelligent understanding o.
English and yet makes such elaine
he is q liar and is using the deception
to create prejudice. There can benc
middle ground In the matter hs
must be classed that way.
Mr.. q. / am very glad indeed t.
hear your opinion about It. l had
always considered such talk as chin
ney corner hot air, but had made nt
Investigation.
Mr.. G. ! have not q penny's inter
est down there, but I really belev'
II . great Improvement, and also b
lieve those who pay the tax should
be allowed TO run their own business
T have no doubt they ara entirely
competent.
| Mr.. q. Our Views seem to b yerJ
much the same about the matter. Il
b true Bates county was assessed
for 100000 a. benefits to pubnt
roads, but vhat . small matter iol
. great county liks Bates to pay on
such an undertaking, especially wheG
the direct benefits .ars 30 much and
the indirect benefits very, very large
n, r. yoa and nv infornn n Alon 4