The Mena weekly star., 1908-09-03

THE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF
 POLK COUNTY.

HE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF
 POLK COUNTY.
 This issue of The Star contains the financial statement of W. N. Martin, county clerk of Polk county, for the fiscal year ending July l, 1908, which will be interesting reading to the taxpayers at this time.
 This report speaks well for the condition of the county's affairs, showing as it does that, including certain amounts due from fines un- collected, etc, that the county on July 1 had S174.9l on the credit side of the ledger, remarkable showing considering that four years ago, when Judge Wright Prickett as- sumed charge of the county's affairs, there was a debt of $31, ,771.
 The charge has been made that the county is not out of debt as claimed by the statement. We do not believe that anyone is ready to deny the correctness of County Clerk Martins statement that the county was out of debt at the close of this fiscal year. Of course the county is continuing to do business. It has been two months since this state- ment was made and in the natural course of business claims come due to be allowed and cared for with the money coming in during this present year.
 The statement does not claim that Polk county Is out of debt and has enough on hand to pay all obliga- tions during the next year, but it does show that at the close of this fiscal year the balance was on the right side of the ledger.
 The only two items out of the or dinary that have been allowed since July are one of $4.288 for the Mountain Fork bridge and $2, ,075 for the new cells in the county jail.
 Easing estimates on the showing of the past four years, together with a probable increase in revenue from the expected rise in the value of as- sessable property. it is clear that there should be several thousands of dollars balance at the next July statement, as there will be if con servative methods are used.
 Despite all charges to the contrary Polk county has made wonderful advance under the present admin istration, and the worst that can be said, when careful summary of the records is made, is that Judge Prickett has not in all cases followed the formal set letter of the law, but has in a number of cases taken a short cut to reach the end sought, sometimes in the interest of econo- my of administration, and again to avoid delays that would practically nullify the purpose sought to be accomplished.
 Even the most radical of the judges political enemies would not presume to claim that he ever did a dishonest official act or secured per sonal gain by or through his official position. It is plain that had he done so, there are plenty of men who would be only too glad to bring the matter into the courts.
 The Star is in nc sense a believer in the application of the party lash to drive voters into line, and even less in the idea that any but the most straightforward means should he used to secure the election of any candidate, but believes that Judge Prickett should be reelected by the qualified voters of Polk coun- ty on merit, and that if the voters do so the county will make an ad- vance that will justify the faith placed in its highest and most re- sponsible official.