The Forrest City times., 1913-05-02
MAKES REPLY
 TO TAXPAYERS LETTER.

way that has been, together with the abortive idea of some people of the l political or moral right of one to dis cuss or criticize, makes my position les pecisly political) a delicate one. How ever, with feeling of justice and right on my side. duty to the public for the promise made together with an allegiance to my conscience, 10 which we all must come 2S q final ''confessor"}, for the enlightenment of the people. and for the future ben eft that may accrue 70 them by my so doing, with good will 10 all man. kind. and with malice to none, here by state
 Not knowing the identity of Tax payer and on the assumption that his letter was written in good faith, in spirit of fairness, and for the specific purpose of eliciting informa- tion for the taxpayers, and for the public good, shall answer same as clearly as my limited knowledge per mitS.
 As stated in The Times, 1 was ap- pointed treasurer of St. Ftancis coun- ty, February 10th, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of J. E. Terry. 1 made bond, and took oath of office February 18th, and immediately re- paired to the then repository of treas urer's books and papers. l was told that there was some little work to be done on the books, before they were turned over, but that would take only a few days. A week went by. I again called. but was met with the statement-not ready Time and again l, or my deputy. called, but not until April 7th was 1 invested with the keeping of the record and funds of the office to which l had been ap- pointed. Meanwhile, some little money had accumulated from fines The de- pository law requires that the collector of all fines, forfeitures and taxes pay the same into the treasury every fif- teen days, that the treasurer may de- posit in the county depository, there by allowing all funds to draw interest. l, as treasurer, being anxious to dis pose of the accumulated funds, mailed check to the Bank of Palestine. county depository, asking that a re- ceipt be sent me for same. Instead of receipt, l received the following letter:
 PALESTINE, ARK, March 3, 1913. MT, J. H. Tipton, Forrest City, Ark:
 DEAR SIR-The Bank of Forrest City took the contract for handling the county funds off of the Bank of | Palestine s hands, made bond for same, which was approved.
 We have never handled any of the money, and am still of the opinion that we are not the ones to handle it under our contract with the Bank of Forrest City. However, after you l look into the matter and find we are the ones to handle the county funds. please advise me, and will come over and look into this. Am returning the check you sent the bank, with your letter enclosed, to Bank of Forrest | City. If this is not all right, please let me know at once, and obige, Yours truly,
 1 Signed "C. Nj. WILKINSON. Pres. Bank of Palestine. ," 1 On April 7th there was given me a check for S4l ,933 45, representing the balance in cash on hand due the coun- " by the former treasurer, together with school and county warrants to an amount of S27, ,979 50, representing money paid out by the Bank of For rest City between the date of death Of J. B. Terry, and settlement with me as successor to MT. Terry.
 took this check to Bank of Palestine, where the president of this bank, after consulting with his attor- ney, gave me receipt I was told that he had not been giving receipts for county funds; and was told by the cashier of the bank that they did not have, nor had not had, nor had ever used any Of the county funds; that they did not need it: but that the county funds were kept by the Bank of Forrest City.
 l tIic office of the county clerk to see if any legal provision had been made for the acceptance of, and the receipting for. county funds by any other than the
 Bank of Palestine. Finding nothing in the office of the county clerk, l called on circuit clerk, where nothing i had been done.
 Therefore. for above reasons, l used the word complicated in an inter. view, and deem it applicable. The Rank of Palestine had no branch house here, no one elected assistant cashier, nor power of attorney given anyone to receive or receipt for the i county funds.
 MT, Taxpayer, I am thoroughly in accord with you in the proposition that the taxpayer has right to a full knowledge of all county affairs, for the burden of taxation grows apace, and is not at all times eQuitably dis ! tributed. For instance; The farm lands lying between Crowley's Ridge and L'Anguille riv T, of a rental value l Of from & % to S4 O0 per acre, an esti-