The Monett times., 1922-07-28
TO THE VOTERS AND TAN
PAYERS OF BARRY COUNTY

| In fairness to the taxpayers of all
Special Road Districts in our County
as Presiding Judge Clevenger of the
County Court in the Cassville Re-
I publican, issue of the goth. Inst
brings up for their consideration the
explanation why the present County
Court levied a Special Tax of 1Oc on
the $100.--valuation for the culvert
and bridge fund, we, the undersigned
Road Commissioners of Monett
Special Road District, in our own be-
half and in behalf of other Special
Road Districts who have joined us in
the legal action instituted by us
through mandamus proceedings
against the County Court, do condemn
and censure said County Court for
the manner this levy was made.
Only short time ago, bond cleo
tion was called for the purpose of
building bridge across White River,
this failed to carry, although Monett
Township as well as other progressive
townships voted in favor of said
bonds. The bonds were defeated by
votes cast by citizens residing in the
part of the County where such a
bridge would have been of most bene-
fit. Such being the case, the County
Court then levies above mentioned tax
to build this bridge, after the majority
of the people according to the vote
cast did not favor same. As servants
of the people, does the County Court
wish to serve the people according
to the dictates of the people or force
them to have thing done which they
fdo not sanction?
Judge Clevenger says: "Other
Counties are making this levy and
some of them are collecting the full
25c." Now in reply we say: If these
other Counties can get by, in so doing
no one having raised any objections,
does this make this levy legalN This
question is to be decided by the Su-
preme Court of Missouri, and until
said Supreme Court so decides, we
claim that said levy is not legal as
intended to be explained by the
County Court, but that the said levy
according to law is to be returned to
all Special Road Districts from which
said levy is derived. Judge eleven
ger further states: "Now we may
have been wrong in setting this 10c
of the road and bridge fund aside for
this purposes" here you will note thar
Tllere is doubt in his mind as to the
legality Of the Courts proceeding.
This doubt also prevails in our minds
as well as that of some of the best at
torneys in our country, also in the
State. Therefore the County Court
as well as the Taxpayers of this
County will have to await the final
ruling of the Supreme Court of this
State, and gracefully abide by the
coming decision.
Judge Clevenger, using his own
words: Cannot understand with the
good road spirit prevailing in our
Country at this time how any pro-
gressive and fairminded citizen can
conscientiously eensure or condemn
us for our position in this natter In
answer we will say: "That the end
may justify the MEANS" but for all
that whether it be the Honorable
County Court of this County or of any
other County; the means must be
legal and without any particle of
doubt as to its legality, and as long as
doubt exists as to the legality of the
means used by the County Court to
build bridge across, White River, so
long will progressive and fairminded
citizens conscientiously censure and .
condemn the means used by the said I
County Court. t
S. A. CHAPELL.
H. w. FLY.
]. F. MERMOUD.
Board Of Directors of Monet ,
Special Road District. j
d&wt1
After the show stop at the coolest
spot in town. Soda, candy, cigars
neverything. Logan D. McKeKe's.
1868