Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-02-02

~ 0KR1N AA09A AA0LA AH0 6O0N
DR.. Swift applies to the devoted
backs of Democratic officials only
lis still harping upon the Wa
Debt Fund. The REGISTER has
never refused, and never will, sc
long as it is under my control, tc
discuss any question relative tc
the affairs of Iron county. As il
has never-shielded, or desired To
shield, delinquents, regardless oil
their party affiliations, so has il
been careful not to, either directly
or by insinuation, blotch the integ-
rity or good name of any citizen,
Republican or Democrat. The Pop
per, since its incipiency, and thro'
its various managements-with one
short-lived xception-has malign-
ed and traduced better men than
those controlling its columns. II
has been u for years by ir-
responsible, scallawag hirelings,
strangers to the community, with
not a dollar of vested interest in
the county; and no matter how
vile the SANDER from their pens,
not one of the gang of benefciaries
behind them have had the honesty
to denounce the palpable false
hoods that have been printed from
time to time, defamatory of as
honest men as ever breathed. It's
course has been one of hatred to-
ward our Democratic oficials-not
because of their sins of commits
sion or omission, but inspired SOLE
ly by partisan spite and malice.
When DR.. Swift assumed charge
of the paper, he promised amend
ment in this particular, and for a
time stood by his promise; but l
knew the hungry and bitter horde
behind him would not have it so
for long. So here is this War
Debt Fund made a club where
with, by inuendo and insinuation,
to besmirch the characters of our
county oficials-the County Court,
the Treasurer, the Clerk-in fact
the whole "Ring," as they are col
lectively designated by their po-
litical enemies. | say that the sole
purpose of The Peppers popping is
to convey sneakingly and with
safety to it's projectors, the idea
that the Fund alluded to has been
Incorporated or stolen OUT
right. Cover it up as DR.. Swift
may with a pretended desire to
merely set matters Alright before
the public, graft and theft and
wrong-doing by the county ofici-
ais is read between his lines. Else
there is nothing to the question
that is of great consequence. That
an item in the published state
ment specifically setting out the
81, 1925 of the War Debt Fund
devoted to road purposes) could
have been appropriately made is
true; that it was not 80 done, but
was fully accounted for in road
expenditures, works no wrong or
grievance to the taxpayers, for
whom DR.. Swift is SO superlative-
ly solicitous. 1 observe that he is
indeed very anxious to save the
tax-payers-in certain instances;
but that is another story.
But why waste all this time and
space as to the expenditure of the
War Debt Fund? Here is the Re-
publican Presiding Judge of the
County Court, and, being a Re-
publican, of course, unbiased in
favor of the Democratic officials !:
let him thoroughly examine "the
books" If he finds that there
was theft, graft or malfeasance in
connection with the fund afore-
sailor any other fund, for that
matter-the REGISTER will not
hesitate in giving his finding to
the public.
Lack of space prevents the Civ
ing of the itemized list of expendi-
lures from the War Debt Fund in
this issue; but it will appear in a
future issue.
In the meantime it may ease
DR.. Swift's mind a little when |
tell him that the War Debt Fund,
being received by the Treasurer
too late august TO-, 1907 to be
given in his August semi-annual
settlement with the court, it was
not accounted for until his next
subsequent settlement-February
term, 1908. AS the financial state
ment was made up to January 81,
1908, the amount received from the
Fund was not included in the re-
ceipts and expenditures until the
ensuing publication, for the year
ending January 81, 1909. My
brother has been wasting space
with the wrong Statement.
What do you think of this? A