Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1910-02-04

engineers for the district, to produce copy of the estimate of costs before the meeting, but that they had failed to do so. Neither Major Parkes nor MT. White were present. MT. Oracle moved that the map and estimate be produced by them for the edification of the property owners of the district, who were assembled. His motion was seconded by C. F. Moore, but was never put before the meeting, being lost in the discussion, and the maps and estimates being produced Ill few minutes by the commission CTS. MT. Oracle said he opposed the bill when it was before the legisla- ture. He said he favored a drainage 1t reasonable cost, and accepted cne of the assessorships, believing that the district was to be conducted as other districts. After going over the act he said, q discovered that the commissioners were given unlim- ited powers and that they were to be appointed by the Board of Directors" Ie said he began to see that there was bug under the chip, some where.
 l never oppose Improvements of any kind, said MT. Oracle. T always pay my share of the taxes, but I do not propose to be the victim of such 9 damnable outrage as this, which has been fostered upon the people of Jefferson county He predicted that It would cost the planters S25.7S per acre to reclaim the low lands, and that the taxation on benefits from cleared lands would be about S44.OO per acre, if the district was carried into effect. He estimated that the to- tai cost under the present act would be about $2,500000. He assert ed that engineers White and Pafkes were to receive S60.- 00O.00 for their services. and incl dentally remarked. that he doubted whether these gentlemen could ren- der $60.000.0O in services in value in one year. He charged that the entire plan was outrageous, and if the dis trict was sustained in the courts, his property would be for sale at fifty cents on the dollar. If there is jus tice in an act like this, God knows l can't see it, he said Eff we were looking for the president for a mill lion dollar corporation, we would not choose J. s. Barraque, the present head of the drainage district not Withstanding; he said, he had no per sonal feelings against him,
 Former Representative Everett Tucker explained his position in the matter, declaring that he was not present when the bill was passed, and therefore did not join in the fight against it. But when it was present. ed, he said, he opposed it because of some provisions which gave too much authority to the county judge, and al- SD because it provided that certain commissions were to be paid for ser vices. He said that he had part of his property taken out of the district, but, after waiting some weeks and receiving no protest against the bill. hc made no particular fight against it He said that neither Mr Oracle nor any other member of the Taxpay- CTS Protective Association. had com plained to him about the bill He endorsed Mr. Gracie's sentiments, eX- ctpt as to his reference to him. He stated the bill was changed at the laet moment as a compromise ana that He c1assed the bill as outrageous.
 Attorney Asa Oracle spoke on the legal phase of the commission. and also explained his position as being the same as that presented by his father, John M Gracie He then re- uuested Judge M A. Austin to put construction on Section 24 of the bill and to tell how many bonds the board could issue and the price to be re- ceived fo rsame. NTr. Austin declared that there was no limit to the bond issue He said that vacancies were 70 be supplied by the county judge, and that property owners had no voice in the election of the board of directors. that the board could sell the bonds nv a majority vote for any sum they deemed best; that commission, Dor exceeding three per cent, could he given. at the discretion of the board out oe fho nranoadc of tho hond icruo