The Mena weekly star., 1908-03-19
WRIGHT PRICKETT
 ADDRESSES VOTERS
Speaks Briefly of Third Term, Taxes, Bridges and County Affairs Gener- ally-Asks Support on His
 Record as County Judge.

10 the People of Polk County: | The duties of my office and other things have made it im- possible to 90 over the county and make an extended campaign, therefore l will briefly discuss
 my candidacy for the office of Judge of Polk county.
 The third term is an objection 10 some conscientious voters, though in this county and state 1t can scarcely be said to be un- popular, as history shows. Even tny opponent has been a justice of the peace for twenty-onc years. It my record is such as to justify the belief that 1t is to the interest of Polk county to re-elect me for another term, this should not be held against me.
 Increased Taxation and Bridges. There has been some complaint that the building of bridges has increased the taxes. This is a inistake. So far as I have been able to find in the records there has never been a time when the full five mills county tax has not been levied. Your county ex- penses have been paid out of this same five mills as before, and no more tax can be levied. The difference is that this county tax has been carefully expended and has been invested in permanent county Improvements, instead of trifled away in unearned fees, etc.
 The two iron bridges now built and in use were built for $5300. Of this amount the county has already paid s, and the city of Mena will pay the balance when 1t comes due, out of the Mena road fund.
 A comparison of your tax receipts will show that the in- crease ia taxes IS from the state lievy. the pension fund and school fund. You are paying the same county tax as heretofore unless your assessment is higher. The county judge is not responsible for the five mills levy for county purposes. The justices of the peace throughout the county make the levy and they are solely responsible for this tax.
 We can do one of two things, keep our levy up to five mills as II has been for years and build hridges, or if the people of this county do not want more bridges, then instruct your justice of the peace to vote for smaller levy. Without these improvements you county can be run for three mills instead of five. This is a question for the voters and their justices and not for the county judge.
 The Location of the Bridges.
 There is some excitement over the county ou account of the To. cation of the bridges.
 Ouachita river bridge comes in for considerable criticism. Mat ters of expense and accommoda- lion to most people have been my guides in the location of this bridge. To build bridge over the river on the Mena and Cher " Hill road would necessitate a bridge 300 feet long and at a greater expense than this county could afford at this time. To- gether with a competent bridge engineer and the bridge commIs- sioners l examined above and below the crossing and the only place we could find at all suitable was the locatiou we adopted. There we have a l05-foot span, with good banks, and by making a new road we have shortened he distance from the river to Mena at least two miles. True lie will take some tune to get the new road iu good condition. but it is my intention ,o expend quite sum on this road this yea. and when l leave IL the peo- pie who travel this road will have no cause to complain.
 At the October term l recom- mended 10 the levying court that we make an appropriation for a bridge across Mountain Fork river, west of Hatfield. I made this recommendation al the re- quest and demand of the citizens of Hatfield.
 appointed bridge commission CTS and went down to examine the site. l not only had the ad- vice of the best citizens of Hat field and vicinity, but I took into consideration other matters. The bridge at it's present location IS l2q feet long. The water line al the Gam crossing is 2l5 feet aud bridge there would cost twice as much as al the present loca-