Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-11
From Hon. Sam b. Cook.
JEFFERSON Cry. May 4, 1911

JEfFERSON OiI1, WAY 4, t01lt
Dear Mr.. Ake-I have just read
your editorial in your issue of
May 4th in which you take the po-
sition that three and one-half mill
lion dollars is too much for Mis-
souri, to put into a State Capitol
building.
1t is so seldom that l find occa-
sion to differ with the editorial
columns of the REGISTER that | re-
luctantly take issue with you o n
this important question.
The proposition submitted to
the people to be voted on at the
special election August lst, pro-
vided by the Constitution to meet
such an emergency as was created
by the destruction of the Missouri
capitol, provides for bond issue
of three and one-half million dol
lars, to run not exceeding a period
OF thirteen years and to bear in
terest at a rate not exceeding three
and one-half per cent. The prop
osition carries with it a provision
for levy of two cents on the
hundred dollar valuation to cover
the redemption Of these bonds and
the payment of all interest there
on. The three and one-half mill
lion is to cover the cost of the
building, furnishing the same and
cost of additional ground for the
site. The additional ground in
cludes one and one-half blocks
Immediately adjoining the present
capitol site, which is in the heart
of the residence portion of the
city, options upon which were Sc
cured by the last legislature atless
cost to the State than the amount
appropriated for that purpose by
the General Assembly.
Thetax levy of two cents on the
hundred dollars assessed valuation
will pay the bonds and interest in
less than the time specified in the
bond issue. This tax, if adopted
by the people, means that each
tax payer who is assessed with
one thousand dollars would pay
twenty cents a year, or if he paid
the full thirteen years would pay
$500 for the new State Capitol
Surely this would not be a serious
"wind of the cord" nor would such
payment "bind the spirit" and
subdue the virtue of the people.
Surely Missouri is entitled to a
State House somewhat in keeping
with the need of the common
wealth and in harmony with the
progressive spirit of the age.
Nor need there be one dollar of
graft in such structure. There
are good reasons I think why there
will be no graft in this case as
there was in Pennsylvania and
Arkansas, where each State was
dominated absolutely by partisan
control. In Missouri one branch
of the State Government is under
the control of the Republicans
while the other is in control o
| the Democrats. There ought no
to be, of course, graft under par
tisan management, but you will
agree with me I think that there il
vastly less possibility of graf
where each party is in position tt
exercise vigilance over the con
duct of the other.
The State is now without a hab
itation for it's public officers, ha
absolutely no protection for it
valuable records and the defeat o
the amendment at the August cleo
tion means possibly prolonge,
and expensive agitation of thi
question. If the proposition t.
! vote three and one-half million
defeated in August then the prop
osition for the five million dolla
!. capitol comes up at the genera
J election in November, 1912, 6
) which only majority of the vot
, cast on this amendment is neces
! sary to carry it. AS plain, simpl
business proposition would it nc
be better to adopt the three an
I one-half million provided for
. the special election August Is
: upon which a thirds majorit
: of the vote cast is necessary
! carry than to leave the matter ur
: settled with the probability of
: greater bond issue in the future?
Very respectfully,
SAM B. Cook.