The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1912-11-21

the selection OF an attorney to assist
In the defense OF the States, and tn,
counties interest.
when first determined to give
myself to this work OF compelling ade.
ouate taxation Of corporations, I knew
they would invoke every power OF the
world, the flesh and the devil tina,
could possibly. by fair means or foul.
be commanded TO aid them to prevent
the carrying out OF my designs. which
were already a part OF the just law u
the land, and I have not been disap.
pointed
Committee To Assist Lawyers.
For years I have known the public
men OF the State and from many
eligible to be chosen for such service
I have thought of some who have
studied these questions and who know
who can be trusted TO assist In the
effort to have your counties enjoy
what the law intended. and what the
present State Board OF Valuation and
Assessment by It's 1912 assessments
has made possible OF realization. These
men I am not afraid to trust to act In
an advisory capacity In the premises,
they are and have been prominent in
the affairs of the State. I refer to
Governor James b. McCreary, Attor-
sius M. Cla. of Bourbon County. and
Hon. James Richardson of Barren
County. would like to be honored by
being on that committee, because OF
my infinite interest in this matter.
have drawn a form OF contract which
I shall read and hand to your Secre-
tary and submit for your considera-
ton. / feel that its fairness will at
once address itself to your honest in
telligence, and | beg that you return
to your home county and urge upon
the individual members OF your county
ecuted, so that our forces may be en-
listed and organized for this legal bat
tie, the first skirmish Of which must
be fought on the goth day of the pres
emit month in the Federal Court here
in Frankfort
Plan for securing Counsel
"ThIs, Of course, only with the un-
standing that your fiscal court will
want to make any contract at all for
special counsel. have never thought
much Of this plan for securing the en-
pIoyment Of the needed special coun-
sci In these cases because, at best.
when special counsel are employed
and paid, the people bear the expense
and II the counties rather than the
State employ and pay, II Is only taking
money out Of the left-hand pocket
Instead Of the right-the people, In the
end, have to pay all the expense any
way. turned to this plan only when
found or there seemed to be no other
way to satisfy the Attorney General
and to get for the people the needed
special counsel. The Attorney General
himself proposed to me the 20 per
cent as a fee to be paid by the coun-
ties to Mr.. Rich, and said that he would
secure the making Of such a contract
with Mr.. Rich by five counties, and
named them. When this matter was
first proposed to me ! said ! would
have nothing to do with the matter
unless there was a clause In the con-
tract which would give absolute pro
lection to the people to prevent any
lawyer from being paid an excessive
fee for the services rendered. ! have
Iabored for months and years to bring
about the assessment made In 1912.
and that without compensation, and It
~ becomes any man to say that he
has a greater desire to economlze In
the interests Of the people than have
|. In the form of contract, ! shall sub
NIT, I have safeguarded the people b.
providing a committee Of HONORABLE.
men to see to II that no man has.
more than a reasonable fee and that,
together with all other expenses to
the counties, to be within the limit Of
the 20 per cent suggested by the A.
torney General.
"The eight suits that have beel
brought against the State and coun
ties must be fought through all Fed
eral and State courts and are Of vital
Importance. They involve for the State
s3S2,3S9 and for the counties, cities
and taxing districts sS23,396. or a total
annually OF S1,205. 1856.
Il feel that your approval OF the
form OF contract which l have sub
mitted will prove your loyalty to your
constituents and in the end will &C
complish great and everlasting good
for your home county people and all
Kentucky.
A saddening Picture.
Behind the scenes there 10 . pic
ture that 10 saddenlng to me In con
neotlon with all this matter. Our
State. the great State Of Kentucky, Is
rendered lmpotsnt, because the Gov
etnor, the chief executive Of our State
and the Attorney General cannot agree
~ to the need Of the people. Tho
Governor 10 In favor Of additional
counsel, and the Attorney. General says
he has enough, and 10 willing to accept
the responsibility Of this fight. and
carry on these suits with the forces
he now has. I,say the responsibility
10 too much to ask him TO assume.
I'VE are sighting a monster. we are
fighting a demon that will resort to