Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1915-07-30

AUDIaItu III Vic 4 ubAAN hAiA
column of the Silver City Enter
prise last week under the captio.
Of Rough on Lordsburg, Blu
on the Taxpayer"
A pcrusal Of the proceedings Of the
County Commissioner would lead one to
the belief that the majority Of the popu-
lation Of Lordsburg were mendieants or
criminals. Warrants were drawn in IA
vor Of Jordsburg merchants upon the
INDECENT fund Of the county as follows:
Roberts & Loahy Mercantile Company,
merchandise. S529.92; Eagle Drug Mer-
camille Company. merchandise. S249.14;
total for Lordsburg from INDECENT fund
for second quarter Of 1915. S779.O6.
The total disbursements from the
whole county as shown in same publica-
tion were sl.t74.26.
From the proceedings as published Il
appears that the balance Of the county
drafts on the INDECENT fund amounted to
S895.20. or that .Lordsburg mendlcnnts
required twice as much 10 support them
as was expended upon all Of the other 20
precincts of the county.
Then comes the expense to suppress
crime at Lordsburg, warrants for which
were drawn upon the current expense
fund as follows: Oscar Allen, constable
signed First National Bank Of Lords
fees, SS00.56 Fred Harper, guard. as
burg (by what authority. Si20; c.. W.
Marsalis, justice Of the peace fees,
SPILLS; total. S731.71.
Commissioner Ownby right investi-
gate these accounts. and ascertain beyond
doubt that the poor peace -offcers had not
omitted from their bills any item that
was due them and thus defrauded them
selves. And Mr.. Ownby. together with
the other honorable members, might in
vestigate. for the benefit Of the taxpay-
ers. many Of the other bills published as
allowed in the proceedings mentioned.
The Extravaganza Of Grant County at
the present time. and for several years
past is a terrific burden that the taxpayer
has been compelled to carry. It is high
time the poor taxpayer walked up.
Taxpayer.
The communication was evident
ly written by some ignorant persol
with little to do but criticise tn.
actions of the county officials
Now and again Taxpayer" bob
up with a libelous charge rehectinI
upon himself ignorance and intel
ligence much less than human.
There is on file with the count,
clerk at Silver City an itemized bill
Of every account paid by the coun
by commissioners. These bills ar
open for public inspection ant
should be consulted before pub
bringing a charge of negli
gence on the part of B. B. Ownb,
Or any other county commissions.
and leaving the impression of
'naendicant and criminal popula
lion" at Lordsburg. Communities
lions of the above character unl,
reflect disgusting low-browed in
diligence on the part of those pos
ing as criterions of county govern
AS a matter of explanation i
be we'll to inform the misle,
that the accounts quoted il
the communication were accrue.
the smallpox epidemic
during which time a camp was es
tablished, 20 patients nursed an,
fed, guards detailed and precau
tiOnary measures used to proven
the spreading of the epidemic
smallpox patients are thel
'mendicants and criminals"
Taxpayer" evidently did not Sc.
the accounts accumulated on tn.
Mimbres River, presented and pal,
in the session of the County Com
missioners prior to the one il
which the Lordsburg smallpox bill
were allowed. Such profound neg
ligence and ignorance is appalling
Before making charges such as ar
conveyed by Taxpayer" the pub
lie should at least consult tn
statements approved by the com
.issioners and on file for publ
inspection.
If the alleged "extravaCance" O
southern Grant County, during
smallpox epidemic, is resented b.
the balance of the county, souther,
Grant County is perfectly willin.
to break off into Pyramid Count
and conduct its affairs alone.