The Mena weekly star., 1920-02-12

with if Governor Brough and the "progressives" had had their way, but thank the Lord, there are few things yet that can't be done without the con sent of the governed.
 What have we in the case of sup porting the constitution? The gov. ernor calls special sessions of the leg islature, at great expense to the tax payers, for the express and avowed purpose of passing special road laws, and many are passed, practically ev- cry one of which are in conflict with l the section of the constitution above quoted, as the same end could have been attained under the general road law, but then the consent of the gov erned was necessary under the general law, and it appears that this IS the thing to be avoided. When the call is made men in official positions who have soIemnly sworn to support the constitution, start campaign to se- cure the passage of several measures in Polk county, all of which are in conflict with the constitution. Why all this expense and waste of time! We confess that we can see no reason only that the things may be done without the consent of the people, or in other words that these road meas ures may be "choked down them," and this is not all. Road improvement District No. was formed under pro- vision of the Alexander Road Law and it's boundaries clearly defined. The same law under which it was formed, provides way in which the district may be enlarged by hearing before the county court, but the commission CTS of said district, who have taken the same oath to support the consti- tuition, set to work to have, and did have the district enlarged by special act. Again we ask why? and can get but the one reasonable answer, to de- prive the people of their right to be heard under the general law.
 The property owners in district No. have been solemnly told over and over again that they could, under no condition, be taxed more than 30@o of the assessed value of their property, yet this same special act removes the 30e, limit and provides, under the camouhage of having the benefit as- sessment bear interest for the collec- tion of an amount much in excess of the 30eo limit fixed by the law. Un- der the same general law under which the district was created and was sup posed to be governed, if a property owner was aggrieved at the amount of his assessment, he had recourse to the courts, where he might get relief, but under the special measure all as- sessments are confirmed as made and again the people are deprived of their right to be heard.
 Amendment No. 10 to the state con- stitution provides that any measure passed by the legislature may be re- ferred to the voters at a general elec- ton for their approval, and if ap- prosed by majority the same be- comes a law, or if disapproved that it does not become a law The exception to this provision of the referendum is that if measure be necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergen- cy may be declared to exist and the measure be in force from and after it's passage, and of course the legislature declares such an emergency in regard to the special road measures. Now, we know that such an emergency does not exist. and we know that the legis- lature did not believe any such emer- gency to exist This emergency clause is only huge joke perpetrated on the voters to prevent them from exereis- ing their constitutional right.
 Everyone knows that there is vio- lent objection on the part of the tax payers to all of these special road measures and the reasons here given are ample cause for even more objec- ton if such be possible.
 We are made to think that Abe Lincoln's saying that we have a gov ernment of the people, by the people, and for the people, is, at this time only a pipe dream, and instead we have government of the people by the few and for the benefit of the few. We have been taught to love and re- we're the principles of democracy and to loath the very appearance of autoc- racy and in this matter it is not op- position to the building of roads that is stirring the people to rebellion against these measures, but the auto cratic spirit in which they have been forced upon us.
 am going to suggest a safe and easy means by which we can bring peace and harmony out of all this chaes. It is a reasonable way found ed on the principle of democracy. AL tho our rights have been ignored we are willing to forgive and forget if given just a little recognition. As American citizens we regard the bal, lot box as a final settlement of politi- cal quistions When we go to the polls and cast our ballot, and the count is made, we regard the matter voted on as settled, and are satisfied with the results.
 My suggestion is this: That by mutual consent the operation of all these measures be held in abeyance l by the several boards of commission CTS until the general election in No
 vember, and at that time the meas ures be submitted to the voters under the referendum