The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1916-10-12

was not even a signer of the peti-
ton. Not that he would not have
signed il, but for some reason it had
never been presented to him.
There were nearly four hundred
citizens who signed this petition.
Does Colonel Burton recognize the
right of less than ten per cent. OF
the signers of this petition to with
draw it in such a way that it can not
be legally presented again, especial
when the very purpose for which It
was withdrawn was defeated i'm the
first round? Would Colonel Burton
the same shall make request therefor
before this petition shall be reinstat-
ed, when less than ten per cent. Of
the signers withdrew it, and that
without authority from any Of the
signers? We know that Colonel Bur-
ton will not take any such position
in the light of the real facts. TIL,
wording Of Colonel Burtons advice
to the bOarl is sound provided the
premises upon which this opinion is
based are correct, but they are not
| correct. one would suppose from
! this opinion that the petitioners met
in a body, MI. or at least a majority.
and made this request. At least three
members Of the Board Of County
Commissioners were present at thi
/ meeting, and we shall be glad TO ap
peal to these members as to the cor
rectneSs Of our statements. Had
Colonel Burton known these facts his
advice would probably have been diff
ferent but il is not yet too late, ard
we hope Colonel Burton in the light
of this additional cumulative evil
dence, will modify this opinion.
Now, it is true. there are other en-
barrassing conditions in these petit
tons on file with the commissioners,
but let us meet them like men, and
let the people have what they want
when their wants are clearly made
known. These wants as expressed in
these two petitions are confusing. A
number Of persons have signed the
Special Tax Levy Petition who also
signed the Bond Issue petition, but
this was done under a msapprehen-
sion. and this fact should be duly
considered. These persons signed the
latter petition because they believed
the bond issue petition had been
abandoned. OF course no perfectly
fair person will he unwilling to let
all such errors he corrected. If II
be found necessary, and il may. let |
all these petitions he tabled and the !
matter put squarelv mp to the people |
as To what they want, hut let's he |
sure that we give them evory possi- !
BILE information, that no man may he |
deceived. As badly rs we need the |
roads, this writer would rather drive |
In the sand the remainder OF his days |
than to take any advantage through |
any technicalitY. or otherwise.
If n majority Of the citizens of this |
district prefer a Special Tax Levy to |
a bond issue, we have not a word to |
say except ~ issue our final note Of |
warning, that you will have cause to |
regret it, but the responsibility Is
yours.
There is large number Of persons
whose names ere now recorded on the |
Special Tax Levy petition that pre-
fer the bond issue. but who would |
rather get the Special Tax Levy Dis-
trict than nothing. All such persons
should communicate with the Hon
orable Board Of County Commission
ers prior to October 18th, asking
that your names be stricken from
this petition. Not a member Of this
board will desire to consider you as
petitioner except that you do so
with your full knowledge and consent
as to the merits Of the questions in.
volved. In tomorrow's issue Of the
News we shall try to show the most
important advantages Of a bond issue
over that Of a Special Tax Levy.