The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1916-01-22
Murrelps Answer EyadeS the Issue

"A CHCuioi ioouCu ny NY OppOlcllt, .. MufIcli,
is headed .'Murrell Answers OQunn's Circular"
If it not for the big farng heading to this cir
cular nobody could tell from the subject matter of
its contents that it was any answer to the charge
made that the Assessors Office has paid Mr.. Muir
rell $4,000. 90 year. In his answer he has simply
evaded the issue instead of stating the facts in the
case.
He makes bombastic reference to ST. Landry
st. Mary, Caddo and Claiborne parishes four of the
largest and wealthiest parishes in the State when
every school boy ought to know that the conditions
in those parishes in wise represent the conditions
in Grant, which is among the smallest parishes of
the State The these conditions do not apply
is sefevident, because the law in those big parishes
cuts down the commission of the Assessor when the
assessments exceed certain figure. For this rea-
son it is unfair and ridiculous to make any such COM
parison or draw any such inference as my opponent
has drawn. The voters can easily see through such
clumsy juggling of figures that do not apply to the
case at bar.
Friend Murrell tells you that he does not believe
in holding office all his life, and in the next
breath asks you to elect him as Clerk for two terms
thus admitting that his suggestion to the people
does not apply to the Murrel family; for what diff
ference is there in eating at the foot or head
of the table, just so long as he has seat Heleaves
the Assessors office after two terms, and under his
idea OF perpetuation, wants to be Clerk two terms
then Sheriff two terms, and then he is willing Can
didate for anything you have to give. Why didn't
he say he would not run any more? Why did he not
say how much he did get for assessing your property
and making the rolls? say the rolls should be made
in not more than three months work Even if he
gets as little he would suggest his bill to the par
ish this year alone being $18O0.OO, and something
over to say nothing of what he gets from the State
from special taxes, from polls, etc., you he is
we'll fed
The Clerks office is open 365 days in the year. and
there an expense account against it that can hard
y be realized, often amounting to So day for post
age alone. The revenues Of the office come in by
cents not dollars and hundreds and it not handed
you on a silver platter, but by piecemeal, as you
earn your daily bread.
This office has carried the burden of examining as
sessments day after day while my friend was enjoy
ing pleasant rest and the door of his office closed,
it being necessary to do in order to protect the
rights of the people and correct errors on the rolls
The report Mr.. Murrel refers to was made from
the Clerks office according to the Act of the Legis-
lature, but was not received by the Supervisor of
Accounts in time for print, / presume. 1t shows
$28O0.00, as | remember, was the largest receipt
that had for the year, and that was due to the
fact that | am Court Stenographer, and the work
for this service amounted to $4OO 90 or $4,000 and
am able to enjoy that additional revenue aside
from the Clerks office not because the people gave
it to me- but because am sufficiently intelligent to
do the work; and on this score again challenge my
opponent, "Can you do the work / dor So that
answers this question.
The fact is have worked for what get, and not
received salary fixed by Act of the Legislature alone
but by work at the same time, not taking advan-
tage of any body, but manifesting ever ready will
lingness to live and let live.
Believing this rejoindec to be sufficient reply to
my opponents claim that 'Murrell Answers OQuinns
Circular" submit the case to the Voters of Grant
cGod