The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1912-10-24

county will be elected from the coun-
try and the only special profit to the
town will come from two officers re-
siding there during their term of
office.
The county collector is required by
law to visit each township for the
purpose of collecting taxes and no
taxpayer need come to Butler to pay
his taxes unless he permits them to
become delinquent which is also the
case under township organization.
The banks of Butler cannot profit
at the expense of any other banks
UNLESS THE OTHERS ESCAPE
PAYING INTEREST UPON DE-
POSTS UNDER THE PRESENT
SYSTEM. The law provides that
the county court may divide the coun-
ty money into from two to ten equal
parts and these deposits are let to
the highest bidders in the county.
Butler citizens, just like the other
citizens of the county, are interested
in the reduction of taxes, reduc-
ton of debt and betterment of the
roads of the county.
HOW WOULD A CHANGE IN
THE LAW OPERATE?
Townships would have the same
justices Of the peace and the same
constables they have now, but elect
ed at the November election.
Twenty-four assessors would give
place to one assessor, elected by the
people of the whole county, who
would make cheaper and more
even assessment than twenty-four
working independently can ever hope
to make.
Twenty-four collectors would give
place to one who would visit each
township in person or by deputy and
collect the taxes just as they are COL
lected now but at saving of some
hundreds of dollars year.
Forty eight board members, twen-
ty four trustees and twenty four ex-
officio clerks who now draw salaries
would be abolished.
Road OverseerS would be selected
by the county court upon the recon-
mendation or petition of the districts
and they would expend the money
collected as special road and bridge
tax in the districts in which it was
collected just as is the case now ex-
cept that every item of the expense
would be upon the county records,
published yearly, and open to the in
spection of every taxpayer.
The expense of one useless cleo
ton would be saved.
Every cent of money would be
drawing interest where it was de-
posted instead of a payment of $4,000
a year on outstanding warrants as at
the present time.
Now, Mr.. Taxpayer, haven't you
carried this burden about long
enough. Township organization was
first brought about as political
to provide an incubator for
political organizations. But is the re-
suit worth the cost?
And the end is not yet in sight.
The change of the poll tax into a
money tax Of from 50 to Sc instead
If tax payable in labor shows that
he limit of what is to be wasted is
still on the increase.
Outside OF few good concrete
what can township organiza-
ion show for its years of operation
except debt and interest. The roads
must be worked over again year after
'ear just as they were when the law
vas adopted. Not mile in the
county Is permanent.
johnson county under county
has far outstripped Cass
md Bates under the other system.
There are many in Bates county
Who have lived under no system ex-
ept township organization and may
Tread the change. Fortunately
mong the newcomers in the county
re many who have lived under both
ystems. Submit the question to one
# these citizens and see what he
lrges.
Has the post office department
threatened to stop your rural route
nless the roads are improved? Vote
or system that will improve them
y saving your taxes from waste and
It them be put into improving the