Ripley County democrat. (Doniphan, Mo.) 1905-1920, 1909-05-07
Gordon Replies to Hadlex.


1909.-Replying to the statement
Of Governor Hadley in q letter to
DR.. E. B. Clemens of Macon and
made public by the governor, in
which be denies that he attempt-
cd to raise the assessment of real
property in Macon county, State
Auditor John P. Gordon quotes
from the records of the state
board Of equalization, showing
that the governor not only at
tempted to raise the assessment
of real property in Macon county,
but in every other county of the
state.
The following 10 the statement
OF Auditor Gordon on that matter:
II hare read that portion of the
governors personal letter to his
friend, DR.. Clements, which the
governor had published in the
Globe Democrat under the head
lines 'Hadley Calls Democrats,
Etc. and replying will say the
Governor is in error. The records
OF the state board Of equalization
discloses that Macon county had
its hearing on March %, 1909,
and at the conclusion OF this
hearing and on the same day the
governor for some reason of his
own offered the following resolu-
tion, emitting preamble:
That the true value in money
of each class of property, as the
same is returned to this board
for equalization in each county,
be ascertained by this board;
that this true value in money of
each class Of said property in
each county be set aside in a tab
ulation to be prepared, and that
where the value Of any of the
classes. of property in any ofthe
counties, as returned to this
board, ia less than it's true cash
value, that suoh per centum Of
its true value be added thereto
by this board, as will make it's
assessed value, as equalized by
this board, equal to its true value
in money, so that all classes of
property in all Of the counties
will be and is hereby equalized
and assessed on the basis of its
true value in money
"This resolution offered by the
governor was supported by him
aud was defeated by the votes of
Major, Roach and Gordon. Now
the governors statement, the
records Of the state board OF
equalization show that it was
Governor Hadley) who made
the motion to leave the assess
ment of real and personal pro-
perty in that county (Macon) the
same as it was returned by the
assessor is not correct. The
governor neither made nor voted
for suoh q motion, and the re-
cord signed by him does not sup
port has statement, but contra
diets It. :.
'In considering the assess.
ment and equalization Of the real
estate of Macon county, II was
considered separate and apart
from the personal property. The
fact is that after full considera-
tion; General Major moved to
leave the real estate OF Macon
county st the value ss returned
by the assessor, which motion
was seconded by myself and the
motion was carried by the votes
OF Major, Roach and Gordon, the
governor not voting either ore
way or the other. This fact will
be supported by every other
member Of the board who was
present, as well as by The clerk
Of the board. Mr. Cowgirl was
not present when the real estate
of Macon county was considered,
"As 10 personal property Cor
don made the motion that horses
in Macon county remain the same
a. returned by the assessor. Cor
don made the motion that cattle,
hogs and sheen IN Macon county