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VOL. "VII. A COAT OF WHITEWASH. It was Smeared on Heavily by Our County Court. A Fixed Prosecuting Attorney. He ItecoinmendM that the Court Carefully Cover up its Track. On Tuesday the County court in quired (for the first time, we believe) into the practice which has prevailed as to the payment into the county trea sury of moneys over and above the clerk's salary and the actual outlay made by him for deputy hire. As members of the court had alreadyex pressed themselves outside to the ef fect that Mr. Leftwich'smodeof pro cedure was legal, little expectation was entertained that the outcome of this so-called investigation would re sult otherwise than it did. The coun ty court and Prosecuting Attorney Moore alike had heretofore taken Mr. Lcftwich's interpretation of the statute, without inquiry as to its correctness, and it was not to be ex pected that they would stultify their former action. The Prosecuting Attorney as the legal advisor of the court was the only man having any standing in court in behalf of the taxpayers. His opinion was mat Air. leftwich was entitled to retain his salary of $ 1,100 ami as much for deputy hire as h could collect up to $1,800. no matter whether or not he had paid it out Judge Ballentine. speaking as a pri vate citizen, held that the statute clearly meant that $1,100 was the full compensation allowed the clerk. and that all money over that amount not actually paid out for deputy hire belonged to the county. Mr. Leftwich had hodannrder pre pared by his attorney which was de signed to cover up the former pro ceedings (or non-proceedings) of the court in this matter and give him a clean indorsement. This he asked the court to sign and put on record, Judge Ballentine asked that no such action be taken at present and that the matter be takeu by agreement to the circuit court. To this propos al Mr. Leftwich would not agree Judge Ballentinc asked the court to direct that all moneys over and above the clerk's salary and actual deputy hire for the year 181)3 be paid into the county treasury pending the decision of the matter in the higher courts. This action the court de clined to take, and Mr. Lcftwich's request for a clean bill of health was complied with. That, in fact, was a foregone con elusion. Just previous to the taking up of the case, the court had wrang led over a little bill for drugs sup plied to the prisoners for quite while this case, involvingthousands of dollars to the taxpayers, was put through in less than half an hour, The way in which tho court tried to shelter itself behind the Prosecut ing Attorney's advice and the latter got out of it by reminding the court that it was simply his opinion and might bo right or wrong, mode a very pretty interlude. Joe was too foxy for the court, and reminded them that in a saloon license case they had acted contrary to his advise. He ev idently forsces the ultimate outcome of the case, and wants to bo as far out of the shower as possible. Assertion took the place of proof as to the decisions of the Supreme court and the usages in other coun ties in the talks made by Messrs, Leftwich, Moore and Hunter. The opinion oi Ibe Attorney ueneral so carefully kept from the open light of day by Judge Norrid, was not con sidered worthy of attention, Messrs. Moore and Hunter being notoriously better lawyers than Attorney Gen . eral Walker. Judge Norrid, one of Mr. Lcftwich's bondsmen, had mor ally disqualified himself to take any part in the investigation by his for -'" mer declarations. Gratuitous abuse of all and sundry who have had ' the presumption to call for an inves -: tigation or question Mr. Lcftwich's right or ability to interpret to hi , superior officers the statutes govern ; ing bis duties was indulged In by ' Messrs. : Leftwich and Hunter.. The ' latter gentleman and Moore, talked as if Mr. Leftwich was entitled to all he could earn as his own deputy or assistant, which remarkable piece of absurdity (like a man lifting him self by his boot straps) was accepted by the Three Wise Men, and they put on record a full indorsement of Mr. Lcftwich's course, that of the Prosecuting Attorney and their own. The following is the order approved by the court. Read it and see if you as a tax-payer, can approve of it : It appearing to the satisfaction of the court that John M. Leftwich, from term to term to the May term 18!)4 of this court inclusive, has filed with the clerk of this court his quar terly reports of fees collected by hiin as clerk of the circuit court and ex- ofticio recorder of Scott county. Mis souri, as required by law, and the court further finds that the said John M. Leftwich as circuit clerk and ox- officio recorder as aforesaid has, in addition to his duties as said official, performed the duties and labors of a deputy; the court therefore allows the said John 31. I.ieuvich the lull amount allowed bv law, regardless of whether the full amount has been paid to deputies or not; and the court further finds that the approval of said reports has not been entered of record in this court. It is now there fore ordered bv the court that all of said reports of fees be, and they hereby are. approved bv this court. and said John M. Leftwich as clerk of the circuit court and ex-officio re eorder. as aforesaid, be discharged from any farther liability on account ot said tecs. But what else could t he poor things do ? And how da the taxpayers like the farce ? The next act comes off in the Circuit court. in conclusion we will say that no man is infallible. It is our honest opinion that the county court has misappropriated over three thousand dollars of the people's money. It is possible that honest people may hon stly tuner with us. V e have care fully investigated the matter, and have published the law, the Attorney General's opinion. Attorney Elliott's opinion, and the decisions of the Ap pollute and Supreme courts. All these boar us out in the stand we have taken. The opposition have imply abused us, and accused us of lying, but they have been very cleav of taking up any particular state ment we have made and attempting to contradict it. Even with the At torney General's opinion in- his pos session directly opposing such action, Judge Norrid eagerly grusps the whitewash brush with both hands and swipes it over the whole affair. Why was it that no one was allowed to see the Attorney General's letter, except Mr. Leftwich and, perhaps, his counsel? Why was this opinion not produced in court? We will al low the people to draw their own conclusions. FINANCIAL STATEMENT Of the Village of Benton, Scott coun ty, Mo., for the six months ending August 31, 18114. RECEIPTS Dramshop License $100 00 Show License 2 50 Fines 18 50 Sale of old jail, rock, etc 112 65 Total EXPENDITURES. Old jail and hauling same to bikeston 85 00 Clerk Fees 15 00 5 25 Prinfinrr Judges Election 4 00 Marshal 73 50 14 35 Street Commissioner Jailor Fees 7 50 Total 204 00 Phil. A. Havxer, Ch'm Board of Trustees, llave You Any Brickwork ? Parties wishing brickwork of any kind will do well to apply to Edward Tenc, Oran, Mo., who W ft practical bricklayer. The candidates defeated at the primary will do well to remember that the law requires thein to make a return of their expenses to the county clerk within thirty days after the date of the primary. A heavy penalty may follow neglect. "-Fob Sale i COO bushels of Rye, Apply to C. C Halstead, Blodgett Mo. According to tho official weather reports, corn in this State will make little more than half a crop. The drought and chinch : bugs . took the balance. Late potatoes are also re ported a short crop, owing to tlte dr weather. BEISTTOIT, JISSOTJIR.!, SEPTEMBER 3, FKOM BLODGETT. The socially inclined portion of our town attended a large sized social gathering at the residence of Mr. M. B. Stubblefield last Thursday evening. All had a fine time, es pecially "Sug." Rev. D. J. Leake preached his last sermon of the conference year at this place Sunday night. He will, how ever, hold a revival beginning Mon day, Sept. 10th, and lasting two or more weeks. Deputy G. M. Frank L. Bohn, of the A. O. U. W.. will lecture at the M. E. Church in Blodgett, on Thurs day evening. Sept. 13, 18114. E-ery one should turn out to hear one of the brightest young men of St. Louis advocate the grand principles of his order. Blodgett like Hamburg lias a club of dog punchers, which was organized about three years ago. We very vividly call to mind a shot fired one bitterly cold night about 1:30 a. m.. at one of the offending canines. The ball from the big hammerless hit the frozen ground near the critter, and ricochetted into the big sign which hangs In front of the great Commer cial Hotel, after which the writer and Charley pulled suddenly for bed having the consciousness of duty well performed. Prof. W. G. Atchison, who will teach our school the ensuing session, was down Thursday seeing after the seats, etc., at the schoolhouse. Miss Mary Clayton and Johnny Ut- terback were in Blodgett last Sunday cu route to their schools, which begin this week. They are both from Mor- ley. Miss Clayton teaches the Pleas ant Valley school while Mr. Utter- back holds forth at the Hatcher schoolhouse. Blodgett sent eight wagon loads. four buggies full, two carts jammed and horsemen enough to make a to tal of fifty-five Republicans to the famous County Convention at Ben ton last Saturday. She was well rewarded in the matter of nomina tions having three to her credit namely, J. M. McCormick, forPresid ing Judge of the County Court ; R. G Williams, for associate Judge, and V. O. Scofield. for Circuit Clerk. Mr Williams eventually withdrew in fa vor of Esq. John Rushing, of Diehl stadt. It is now fixed that Blodgett has a full share of candidates in the field. Sail away, rabbit! Isaac L. Smith, the champion bar ber, left here last Saturday for Mar- quand where he has a fine shop in full blast. The Ananias Club got together in the vacant caboose ou the north switch and the committee on Osteol ogy and General Cussedness made an informal report concerning the con duct of two or three members of the gang. The Traveling Liar, who acted in the M. W. L. 's place, he not hav ing returned from the Republican convention asked that the charges be stated. Bro. Heraclitus Pendragon then said he had seen one of the charter members carrying his watch in his boot. He inquired of the brother his object and was told "None of your blanked business' and he thought that perhaps the brother had had some transactions with the senatorial and sugar trust combine. Another brother was charged with having mixed beer and whiskey in the proportion of beer 3 qts. whiskey, i pt. and having induced a purchaser to partake of the banquet to such extent that the gen tleinan became hilarious and shrieked himself and danced a high-low and announced in capital letters that he Rev. So-and-so, could run faster, jump higher, dive deeper and come up dryer than any duck in these dig' gings. He also linked his arm that of the Ordinary Liar's and walked him up and down the street proposing that they hold a series of meetings and all of this on top what had already been said. Inves tigation showed that in. the first case the brotlier was excusable for carrying his watch in his boot as was gold and liable to get cut in two If a man made a slam mt him with knife, the wound might heal but you can't cur a divided Watch. In the scmk1 ease it wan khown that the ! preacher a only m voUug Moiuoti elder anyhow, who several days pre vious had got so drunk that he hid his own socks and when he got sober he couldn't find thein so he hud so licited the aid of the club to help him bowl up. so that he could again get hold of his sexks. Howdy? FltOM OUAN. "Tate" Querry is canvalcsccnt. The long looked for rain came Mon day evening and did a vast deal of ood. Our neighl irhood is now al most sure of a good corn crop. Mrs. Frank Zundel has been on the puny list during the past few days. Mr. Gordon, the picture man, is in own. Win. Savers has intermittent fever. John Ashley's new saloon fixtures loom up. Mr. Githens is in St. Louis on bus iness. Wm. Stubblefield. Jr., is at White Springs. Rev. Kennedy was not able to fill his appointment here Monday morn ing, but was present in the evening. Eugene Brider has miningitis. Dr. Joe Wright is in Commerce this week. He has a complete . out fit for dental work and gives satis faction so far as heard from. Lona Arterberry, a young lady living with Uncle John f riend, was nund dead in her bed Tuesday morn- ng at 1 o'clock. She had been ill tor several days, .viiss l;ona was well known in this community and her untimely death is regretted by her many friends. She leaves sister and two brothers to mourn her loss. A. J. Horn has sold his barber nop to .ir. Liett. and has gone in search of a new location. Miss Lora Forrester began her school in the Reid settlement Mon day. Miss Estelle Querry began her school in the same nighhborhood Mon day. Our public school opened up Mon day with Mrs. J. W. Clemson as principal, and Miss Bcatty in charge of the primary department. Choir practice at the Baptist church Sunday morning at 8:30. Everybody invited. Mr. Engel is having a house built on his land northwest of town. Lyon and Revelle have the contract. The Duiiding win De close to the picnic grounds. Louis Nichols resigned his position with Matthews, Stubblefield & Co, Prof. Scholz opened his select school at the Catholic church Mon day. Mr. Mansfield, the musiciau, favor ed our people with a few selections on the mandolin last week. Wm. Meyers and family have re turned from White Springs. Mrs. Thos. Moran returned from Dunklin county last week. Uncle George Metz is having hi store painted up in good style. sickness considerably on the in crersei Uxo. Tat on Playing Cards. tvery dealer must make a sworn return and pay the tax at the rate of two cents per pack. Every dealer must write his initials with ink ou each stamp and the date when such stamp is placed on the pack. Omis sion to stamp each pack and cancel such stamp will subject the violator to a penalty of $30 for each omission, To Democratic Central Commit teemeu. Morley, Mo., Sept. 3, 4 Democratic Central Committee men who were elected at the la Democratic Primary election are re quested to meet in their respective townships sept, id, lSii4, at 1 o clock i. m., for the purpose of organizing y electing a chairman who shall re present his township id the County uentrai committee. W. G. Atchison, Ch'm Demi Cen Com FINE SllEEl FOH SALE. I have a lot of fine Cottswold ewe for sale. I have 115 and give picking choice in lots of 20( at $3.50. Apply tO JfLKS VBVItYi Lusk Farm; Kelso. B&"He1sseier A Miller have just received a large invoice of tho fa mous Priesmyer Shoes for ladies and! children. Ktvlo on. m nU-r. riunlit I is better ant M-iceM are lower than!' An adjourned term of Probate eVer before. Republicans fu Mass Convention. The Republicans of Scott county met in mass convention at the court house in Benton last Saturday, to nominate a county ticket. Dr. R. Sparks, of Blodgett. presided and Clymer, of Commerce, was secre- ary. 1 he utmost harmony prevail ed throughout the pnx'eedings and the humorous sallies of Judye Bal- ntine kept the convention in ex llent spirits, considering the forlorn hope the party has on hand in old cott. Long-winded speeches were ot wanted, and none were inflicted. The Populists had hoped for a fusion with the g. o. p.. but the lat ter couldn't see anything to fuse with and, with one exception, quietly gnored the nominees of the Third Party. Voting for the various nom- nees was effected by a show of heads, and it worked like a charm. For Representative at Jefferson City, Maj. Rose, of Commerce, was the unhesitating choice of the con dition. For Prosecuting Attorney. os. . Jloore, ot 5iKeston, was the unanimous choice. Kolen cannon was tendered the aid of the party to wipe up the earth with Judge Leedy. V. O. Scofield had no opponent for Circuit Clerk. As botween R. II. Querry and G. P. McCoy for Record er, the convention's choice fell toMr. McCoy. R. H. Querry, Robt. Finley and Jas. II. McCormack were put be fore the convention for the County Clerkship, and Mr. Querry was the choice. For Sheriff. L. P. Clymer was chosen by acclamation. For Collector. B. J. Teukhoff, Joe Hess and Frank Miller were submitted, and Mr. Miller won by an enthusias- ic and overwhelming majority. For Treasurer. Judge Ballentine was put in nomination. The Judge objected for two reasons, namely: that he al ready had more money than he had any use for; and that his son-in-law was a candidate for the same ofhV-e and he didn't want any suicide in his family. Nevertheless, the Judge had to take it. The Judge created a ripple of laughter by submitting the name of A. W. Fizer for Assessor. Not being able to say that Mr. Fizer would accept. J. B. Messmer, of Kel so, was the unanimous choice. J. II. Cooper, for Public Administrator; Dr. G. H. Butler, for Coroner; Jas. H. McCormack, for Presiding Judge; R. G. Williams, for 1st and Henry Petz for 2nd District Judges com pleted the nominations. Iu brief and acceptable fashioii. Messrs. Rose, Cooper, Ballentine. Proffit and Scofield addressed the convention, which immediately there' after adjourned. Beuton has invested in a couple of balls and chains, which will be used in working the town's prisoners on the streets. The present system of feeding them gratis for a few days is played out. "The paramount duty of a news paper to its constituency is the ex posure of all lapses in duty on the part of public officials. This duty it must perform without fear or favor." Horace Greeley. Forest fires in Minnesota have caused the death of some 400 people, rendered thousands homeless, wiped out several towns and caused enor mous destruction of property. Frank Miller is bvlsy hulling clo ver and Charlie Proffit is baling hay. Both of these products pay better than 40 cent wheat. The rain we needed so much fell copiously Monday evening and fresh ened things greatly. We can stand ever so much more, however. Mr. Thos. Deaton and daughter, Miss Mollie, of St. Louis, have been visiting relatives in and around Ben ton this Week. The rock road from Cape Girar deau to Scott county is being regrav elled and improved generally. Nick Schlosser contemplates the erection of a brick business house on his lot on the southeast corner of the courthouse squarcj Ou Monday Bob Wado returned to school at Caledonia and Lee Left wich entered at the Normal, Cape . , Girardeau. court sit next Monday. 1894. An Enterprising ToWn Board. The present Town Board of the Village of Benton is certainly of the progressive class. Th y don't pn pose to let anything slip that will add to the building up of the town. Last October the property owners around the courthouse square met with the Town Board and took in active part in havii'g an ordinance passed establishing fire limits. Ac cordingly an ordinance was passed prohibitinv anything but fireproof buildings from beinu erected within a prescribed area. This was not u voluntary act of the Board, but was clone by agreement and by request of the property owners around the square. Everybody recognized the ordin ance, and everything went well. All recognized that times were hai-d. and that there was no building going on in any part of the county, but hoped that when times did open up. brick buildings would surround the square. But the crises came. One of our citizens wanted to build a stable and he wanted to put if where everybody could see it. Consequently, he bought twenty-six feet front of the most prominent lot fronting the court house and asked permission of the Board to build the stable. The Board is composed of our most enterprising and progressive citizens, and they were not willing to let the cranky ideas of the projierty owners stop the erection of such a structure, and knocked the fire limits ordinance into a cocked hat. If any of our neighbors want to erect a slaughterhouse, stink factory or powder magazine anywhere within the fire limits, we can assure them that, in their eagerness to "improve the town," our Board will grant them anything they want. While we are chairman of that august body, we wish to make it generally known that the stable per mit was granted over our veto. "A new stable or bust," seemed to be the determination of every member of the Board, and now they nlay be seen with paper unci pencil in hand diagraming and explaining to Visitor's what a model town Benton will be when the new 20x30 box stable completed. is t A ciTivsp. indent at Price's Land ing reports that E Ii. Brown is ad ding a story to his house; that J. W. Moore hns moved to Dr. Bagwell's farm on the swamp; that health is good in that vicinity and that plow ing goes on merrily. Our County court scored a good point in favor of better roads by the purchase of a scraper which does in a day what takes a week wider the present system. We need about six of these implements. The Benton public school opened Monday with an attendance of about sixty pupils. This will be largely augmented when farm work is more nearly over and the older boys are at liberty to attend. 'The return game between Com merce and Charleston base ball clubs was played at Charleston Wednes day, and resulted in a victory for Charleston 8 to 5. 12" Parties who prefer to take their toddy mth romi should use OLD LYNCH RYE. from which there is no strong odor to betray the act. James Walker went to Creal Springs, 111., Tuesday, in quest of better health. He was accompanied by his nephew, Tonl Donovan. Roscoe StctV will go to the State school for the deaf and dumb at Ful ton, Mo. next Tuesday; The Arkansas State' election re; suited in a Democratie majority of thirty thousand vote's.- So, there ! Miss Daisy Leedy will return to school at Forest Park, St; Louis next week. . '-Otto Holnij tlie artistic painter of Cape Girardeau, was in Benton Thursday; . "Labor Day ' was observed in and around Benton lust Monday by everybody laboring ne much as usual Timothy Clark has bten danger ously ill with brain trouble, but is recovering. Mr. ami Mrs. Chas. Proffit Sun dayed at Cape Girardeau 2STO. tioiinty Court Proceedings. County court ntet hist Monday in adjotirnetl term, and the following business wt transacted Jilrinl thtt three days' Session ': August Schlege! resigllcti us road overseer and Casper Ifiifert Was ay pointed to fill the Vacancy; Fifty dollars wils appropriated td levee the Reeveswud slough onSikes1 ton and Mu tone's Mill roud and com missioners appointed. In road petitions of John Schlitt ct al and J. H. Crowder et al sur veyor's rejiorts filed and approved and commissioners appointed. In road petitions of J. F ttagvell and Alex. Armstrong surveyor's rc; ports filed and approved. In that of D F. C. Roberts com missioners apjiointed. Change of road granted oil petition1 of Thos. Howell. In the matter of building a bridge! near Dick Hunter's residence com missioners' report filed and approved undC. McClain. contractor, allowed Sti5. The following allowances were made: John J. Dicbold. lumber( SI 1.50; Ferd Ostner, amount ex pended on rond, $150; same as special commissioner oh road. $32; Martin Bischer, care Of Martin Goedet't; f 13 j Thos. N. Myers, pauper's coffin, 6j R. L. Harrison. Surveyor, $Gtf; A: K; Boutwell. lumber. $r;V.7; G. D- Oar nard& Co., printing, fi.10.60; W. B; Schafer, go.ds furn'shed prisoners $2.10; Drs. Henderson and Vineyard, medical attendance oii prisoners at Jackson. SS.70; A. L. Daniel j special constable, $1; Win. Hunterj swair.p lands commissioner, $27; Geo. Hart, work in court yard. 2: J. S: Fivcling. medical attendance. $1K E. H. Smith, printing. 3.!0; P. A. Hafner. printing. 4.."0; Friend & McMullin. $10.75; Sain Tamier. slier": iff fees. $32; lleisserer & Miller j gtxids. $20.50; F. C. Austin Manufae turing Co., road scraper, $2(Kf; J.ls. McPheetcrs, $144; J. E. Marshall) $25.70; W. F. Friend, 25.50; and J. li. Nofrid, 23.50. Justices of the Peace, Schooii, Har rison and Halley filed reports. E. H. Smith rented the old circuit clerk's Office at $30 per year; $172 was appropriated for the Moi' ley and Little River road. Court adjourned Wednesday even ing: The Newsboy Not in "De Push.'' The New'sHoy could be right in"d1 Jtilsh" if "de push" were permitted to dictate what shall appear in its i . . . . . ; . j . ; . columns. i.)e push may oe aoie to control the prosecuting attor"riey"j the courts, etc.. but when they un dertake to dictate what shall appear in the NewsUoy they get gloriously left. However, they have a sheet right on the square which is the "offi cial organ, " and it wili. ho doubt, applaud and approve of the entire farce. It dare not do otherwise; Messrs. Linton Jones and E. B Mills, of Sikeston, were at the emm ty seat early in the tVeek. From sheer force of habit, Judge Albrecht attended County court last Monday. A patent gsle is oii exhibition! in Benton olie of the kind y"oU oped and close without dishlottntiflg. Messrs. Ander'soii's warehouse' at the Bentoil depot is approaching completion. Mr. Pott has set afloat some) iuill talk again, but it sliould he taken with the proverbial grain of salt; Wm; Reedef, Sr., Is still very sick with typtloid.fever; Little Meredith hcedy" is quite" sick with typhoid fever'. 'fequire Peal, bf Blodgett, was In Denton on legal business Thursday; KF Besides be'ma the woi-ietord of the famous OLD LYNCH RYE, . Lynch & Co. are said to be the larg' est holders of fine Kentucky, fenns-' see add Pensylvania fcTiislue in tt; LOUIS. : :. ':,. aro terrors to evil dottfe, , V " landed our gang of native t. lar behind the . ,tr. '" t 1 -are out of l.-k. ' 'J i X x f i; 1 V - l it: w , . ..- .:.l.V