The Forrest City times., 1911-02-17
NEW LEVEE BILL
Let Owners Name Directors Bill of Much Importance to St.
 Francis Levee District
WAS INTRODUCED BY TURNER
JonesbOrO State Senator Fathers Bill of Importance to East Arkansas Relieves the Governor of
 Great Responsibility

much importance to the property owners in the counties composing the St. Francis levee district is now pending in the senate. It was intro. duced during the week by Senator Arthur Turner, of Jonesboro, and it's friends claim, will go long ways towards solving the factional differ ences that have existed in the St. Francis levee district for number of years Mr. Turner's bill proposes to per nit the property owners of the dis trict to name the leyee directors. thereby relieving the governor of the responsibility. The bill follows:
 Section l. That on the second Tuesday in May, 1911, and every year thereafter, an election shall be held at such points or places as may be designated by the respective county judges of Mississippi, Crittenden, Craighead, Poinsett, Cross, St. Fran cis and Lee, for the purpose of electing three members of the board of direc- tors of the St. Francis levee district for the respective counties as herein after provided. The directors shall serve one, two and three years respec- lively, in the order of the number of votes they may receive. The one re- ceiying the highest number of votes to serve three years; the one receiving the next highest number to serve two and the one receiving the next high est number to serve one year, and that the successors of the retiring members shall be elected at the suc- eeeding election. The directors so elected shall succeed 10 and take the place of the board of directors of the StFrancis levee district. now in force the same as the original board of directors may have had.
 See. ? That for the purpose of carrying this act into execution. the c0antyjudges of the respective counties shall on or before the first day of May each year, name and fix q convenient place for the taxpayers to meet and hold the election in the respective counties for the election of directors. and shall appoint three judges and two clerks for the purpose of holding such elections but if said judges or any of them shall not appear, the taxpayers are authorized to elect some of their number as judges and clerks for the purpose of holding said election,
 Sec. 8. For the purpose of electing said directors herein provided for all persons and corporations who are bona tide owners of real estate situate within the St. Francis levee district shall have one vote for each dollar of leyee taxes they may be required to pay under the laws and bylaws of the board ofdirectors of theSt. Francis leyee dis trlct, and such taxpayers shall have the right to vote for three directors in their respective counties in the year 1911, and shall be authorized to vote one vote for each dollar of taxes which he or they may have to pay under the assessment. That taxpayer who is not pIesent in the county where he has paid taxes shall be entitled to vote as herein provided by written proxy duly signed and acknowledged before some officer authorized to take acknowledgment of deeds
 Sec. i. When the polls for the election of directors are closed it shall be the duty of the judges and clerks ol the election to count the ballots, and If necessary they can compare each ballot with the tax books of the respective counties in the leyee dis trlct, for the purpose of ascertaining whether any real estate or property owner has voted greater number of votes than he is entitled to, but shall snail in all cases allow each real es- tate owner the right to vote the full number of votes he is entitledito under the provision of this act. And upon as- certaining the number of votes cast Tor each director, the said judge and clerks of election shall deliver to the county judge one copy of the poll books kept by them, duly signed and attested.
 Sec. 5. Any person or persons yot- ed for as directors who may feel ag- grleved or feel that there has not been fair counting may file con test in the circuit court against such directors whom they may deem not elected, and after giving said con testee notice may proceed to take proof as to the number of votes cast Ill said election, which proof shall be submitted to the circuit court and determined as any other contested election cases are determined.
 Sec. 6. That the judges and clerks or election shall select one one of their number whose duty it shall be