The Troup Banner (Troup, Tex.), Vol. 31, No. 41, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 9, 1925 Page: 1 of 8
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VOL. 31. NO. 41.
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ANNER
The Only Paper in Many Homes, The One Paper in Most of the Homes of Southern Smith and Northern Cherokee Counties.
TROUP, TEXAS, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 1925
SUBSCRIPTION $1.50 PER YEAR
PASTOR AT WINONA
CHOSEN COLLEGE PRES.
REV. J. B. OLIVER, ONCE ARP
CITIZEN, ELECTED PRES.
COLLEGE OF MARSHALL
WORKED WAY IN BAYLOR
Has Accepted Position Conditioned
Upon His Being Released From
A Missouri College
Special to The Banner.
Winona, April 6—It is learned here
that Rev. J. B. Oliver, Pastor of the
Winona Baptist church, and now a
resident student at Baylor University
where he expects to receive his Mas-
ter of Arts degree in August, has
been tenderde the presidency of the
College of Marshall, one of the lead-
ing Junior Colleges of the Baptist de-
nomination in Texas. Rev. Oliver was
called to Marshall last week where,
after conference with the institution’s
Board of Trustee and Dr. F. S. Gro-
ner, Texas state secretary of Baptist
Missions, he was tendered the presi-
dency of the institution. It is under-
stood here that he has accepted the
position subject to two conditions, the
first being that he will remain in Bay-
lor till he receives his Master’s de-
gree, and the other that he secure
honorable release from the Southern
Baptist College of Boliver, Mo., in
which he had been chosen recently as
Professor of History.
The College of Marshall
The College of Marshall has good
equipment and bright prospects for
the realization of the large purposes
to which its governing body have com-
mitted it; and, according to Dean W.
S. Allen of Baylor, it has a wonder-
ful opportunity to become a great
Junior College, with Dr. Oliver at its
head. J. Westley Smith, Dean of the
College of Marshall, has been acting
as its president since the resignation
of Dr. M. E. Hudson about a year
ago.
Rev. Oliver Self-Made Man
Rev. Oliver was born on a farm at
Woden, Nacogdoches county, January
1883. When he reached the age of
seventeen he had averaged one month
of schooling a year. At this age he
took a county teachers examination
for second grade certificate and was
elected to a one-teacher ungraded
school including work thru the 7th
grade.
Having taught two years he attend-
ed Sam Houston Normal in 1901 and
1902 and received his second grade
certificate, going immediately into
the principalship of a three-teacher
school. In 1906 he obtained his first
grade certificate from the same in-
stitution and went to Bellville as prin-
cipal, and later became the superin-
tendent of schools in Bellville. Hav-
ing received his permanent state
teachers certificate in 1910 from
State University Summer Normal, he
spent four years as superintendent
in Angleton.
He resigned a position in the Tyler
schools to become assistant cashier in
the Citizens National bank of Tyler.
From that place he went to Arp as
cashier of the Arp Guaranty State
Bank. While there he decided to en-
ter the ministry, and immediately ac-
cepted the pastorate of the church at
Arp, which ordained him; he was also
at the same time pastor of the Over-
ton Baptist church. He received his
A. B. degree last August and will
get his Master of Arts degree in Aug-
ust this year.
DALLAS GOOD WILL TOURISTS
TO VISIT TROUP TUES. MORN
Next Tuesday morning, April 14,
arriving at 8:50 o’clock, and remain-
ing for twenty minutes—that’s the
time, that’s the length of the stay
of the 150 business men of Dallas
who will visit Troup in their special
train of ten Pullmans. Don’t forget
the hour. It’s a little early, but just
right. Paint a dimple on your cheek
bring down a bouquet if you will. Be
sure to bring your wife and the kid-
dies. We’ll capture some of those
Dallas fellows and hold them for a
ransome, we will—we of Troup.
The visitors will be accompanied
by the Dallas Municipal Band of
twenty-seven super-tarined musicians.
The band will give a concert on the
Main street while the trade-trippers
are visiting the business institutions
here in which they are interested. The
request was sent to have all the school
children meet the party. Souvenirs
will be given to the children.
S. BAREFIELD, VET. I. G. N. CON-
DUCTOR DEAD AT HENDERSON
Special to The Banner.
Henderson, April 4—While out yes-
terday afternoon with his wife and
a friend testing out a new car which
he contemplated buying, Sam. G.
Barefield died suddenly as the vehicle
sped along the highway. He was one
of the prominent citizens of this com-
munity, and a veteran conductor of
the I.-G. N. Railway, said to be the
oldest conductor in point of service
on that railway. Deceased had but
recently returned from the Railway
Employee’s Hospital at Palestine
where he had undergone treatment
for an indisposition that had its in-
cipiency in an attack of flu. He had
expected soon to return to his run on
the Columbia Branch of his road,
running out of Houston.
On Friday morning prior to his
death, he had had some business
transactions with a friend of his here,
Mr. Charley Rogers; and to that
friend, it is said, he made some re-
marks that indicated he had premoni-
tion of his early passing. His re-
mains were interred here in the local
cemetery.
MASONIC VISITORS
LEAVE TYLER HEADQUAR-
TERS AFTER TEN DAYS
Special to The Banner.
Tyler, April 3—On yesterday af-
ternoon Hon. Gwinn Williams, Grand
Master of Texas Masons left Tyler
after having made his headquarters
here for ten days during visitations
he and his party are making to many
East Texas lodges. With him here
were Hon. M. B. Terrell of Dallas,
lecturer on Masonic topics, and Wil-
ber Keith, Executive Secretary of the
Masonic Education and Service Asso-
ciation fostered by the Texas Grand
Lodge of Masons. While here the
visitors were the guests of B. M.
Bell at his home out at Hitt’s Lake.
While making their headquarters
here they made official visits to
lodges at Troup, Henderson, Long-
view, Mineola, Golden, Jacksonville,
Athens, Tyler and a number of other
cities.
The distinguished visitors went by
auto to Palestine for a meeting last
night, and from there they are sched-
uled to go to Jacksonville to a lay a
cornerstone for the new High School
building in that city; and from Jack-
sonville they were to go to Rusk for
a meeting Friday night. After that
they were scheduled to visit a number
of other East Texas lodges, principal-
ly along the Eastern border of the
State, including their visitation at
Paris on April 18.
EDUCATIONAL CONFER-
ENCE TYLER, APR. 16-17
State Supt. Marrs Requests
School Officials to Attend;
To Study New Laws
All
Special to The Banner.
Tyler, April 6—One of the six sec-
tional conferences on public education
called by State Superintendent Marrs
for various sections of Texas is to
be held here on Thursday ana Friday
of next week, April 16 and 17. To
this meeting all county and city
school superintendents, all school
trustees and other school officials of
East Texas have been invited; and it
is hoped that as many teachers as
possible and many other friends of
public education will also attend.
There will be three sessions of the
conference each day, and the various
problems of education and the appli-
cation of the new and amended school
laws of the last Legislature will be
discussed. It is very important that
all those particularly designated in
the call of State Superintendent
Marrs attend this meeting, especially
as the next and nearest of the six
sectional meetings called for the
above purpose will be at Fort Worth.
The following is taken from the offi-
cial call for the meeting:
An invitation has been extended to
the following to attend these meet-
ings: All county and ex-officio super-
intendents, all city superintendents,
all trustees interested in any ques-
tion touching school administration,
and any other citizen who desires in-
formation on any matter pertaining
to the public schools.
Each conference will be divided in-
to five sections, the same subjects
being treated at each.
Program Arranged.
Marrs will have charge of the open-
ing session, which will deal with
“professional supervision.” It will
begin at 9 o’clock. The general theme
has been subdivided into the following
subjects:
“(1) The relation of the country
and city superintendent to the State
Department of Education. (2) The
duties of the county superintendent.
(3) The improvement of the teacher
in the service. (4) The certification
of teachers.”
The afternoon session will be de-
voted to “School Finances and Meth-
ods of Accounting,” and will be led
by T. P. Walker, auditor, State De-
partment of Education. The follow-
ing subjects will be discussed:
“(1) County permanent fund and
the county available fund; (2) coun-
ty administration expense or account;
(3) transfer accounts, methods of
settlement, classes, local maintenance,
Sinking funds; (5) special funds, ru-
ral aid, vocational aid, funds for ne-
gro education; (6) depositories, coun-
ty, independent district—require-
ments.”
Evening Session
At the evening sessions Marrs will
deliver an address upon "School
Legislation Enacted by the Thirty-
ninth Legislature.”
L. D. Borden, chief rural school
supervisor, will have charge of the
morning program of the second day,
when the following subjects will be
discussed:
. “(1) The new law: (2) industrial
training in rural schools, reports on
first and second years’ accomplish-
ment; (3) providing high school ad-
vantages for one-teacher schools,
discussion and results; (4) the new
law on consolidation, transportation
costs; (5) standard school equip-
ment and its proper use; (6) certifi-
cate requirements and registration of
teachers: (7) school libraries and how
to get them.”
Closing Program
“High School Conference” will be
the theme of the afternoon and clos-
■ing session of the meeting. It will
be under the direction of A. W.
Evans, chief high school supervisor
when the following subjects will be
discussed:
“(1) The high school library; (2)
college entrance examinations; (3)
the admission and transfer of stu-
dents; (4) the Summer session of
high schools; (5) what supervisors
see (a) high spots; (b) low spots;
(6) question box."
Round table discussion is expected
on each topic at each half-day ses-
sion.
WESLEY LOVE DEAD
AT JACKSONVILLE
A Prince Among His Fellows; Na-
tive of His Community; Pass-
ed Sunday Night
Special to The Banner:
Jacksonville, April 8.—A veritable
prince among the noblemen of the
earth has fallen. Wesley Love, 68,
Christian citizen, community builder,
and honest man, God’s noblest work,
passed peacefully at his home here
Sunday night at 9:30, and the people
who touched elbows with him day
by day are in mourning which is
shared by many thruout the common-
wealth. For weeks and months his
condition was such that his loved
ones feared the end could not be re-
mote; but during the preceding week
his condition so improved apparently
that hopes for his recovery were en-
tertained. These circumstances add
a deeper poignancy to the sorrow his
people feel.
Yesterday afternoon the funeral
service was held at his residence by
Rev. Vivion, Pastor of the Methodist
church, assisted by Revs. J. M. New-
burn, J. B. Oakley and C. S. McKin-
ney, the others pastors of the city.
Active pall bearers were J. L. Brown,
Gus S. Blankinship, A. G. Adams, C.
F. Boles, 0. L. Alexander, Sam Boles,
Will Forrest, C. S. Ousley, Clyde
Parrish and Danley Newton. Inter-
ment was in the family burial plat
of the City Cemetery. The list of
honorary pall bearers included many
not merely from the prominent ranks
of this section and of the state, but
also many of those from the “com-
mon walks of men” whose welfare
was ever uppermost in the thoughts
of deceased.
Love Born in a Cabin
Sixty-eight years ago Wesley Love
was born in a pioneer cabin a mile
northeast of Jacksonville’s business
district. That cabin, by which a
highway was constructed a few years
ago, became a landmark to which a
local citizenship appreciative of the
worth of the man, often pointed with
a pride comparable to that with
which one would point to the birth-
place of Lincoln, or any other who,
innured to hardship in early life, has
risen to places of great usefulness
and high esteem among his fellow-
men. Wesley Love, in his early life,
tasted and tested the hardships of
poverty and pioneering. He was hon-
est, industrious, frank and fair, and
in his dealings with his fellows no
taint or suspicion of dishonesty ev-
er attached to his good name or dim-
med the lustre of his character
among men.
He was a pioneer in the develop-
ment of the peach and tomato indus-
try of East Texas. Later he and his
sons were among the very first to do
pioneering work in the establishment
of commercial onion production in
the Laredo and South Texas districts.
Exercising the same foresight and
perseverance that characterized his
earlier struggles to obtain a compe-
tence in the world, he and his sons
were very successful in their ven-
tures.
Mr. Love was identified with many
of the business enterprises of this
city. He was one of the founders of
the First National Bank here, and in
all the years of that institution’s
honorable service, he was one of its
officers.
Love was a Philanthropist
Wesley Love Was a modest man.
He loved his home, his community
and his neighbors. The honest man
fighting the battles of life, oaring
his little craft against the waves of
adversity, always had a friend in
Wesley Love. On the streets, down
with the railway section laborers, he
had the happy faculty of approach
and they all knew Wes Love as their
friend. The young man about to em-
bark upon a course that age would
have counseled against, always had a
sympathetic friend and a wise coun-'
seller in Wesley Love.
Blessed with abundant means,
he somehow always seemed to regard
himself as but a trustee to use them
for noble ends. Schools, churches,
charities, individuals—there are
many of them all who at some time
have been beneficiaries of his philan-
thropy. And only in an incidental
way, if ever at all, has the world,
or Wesley Love’s neighbors, known
of it. An innate sense of modesty,
that jewel that may and nearly al-
ways does ornament the character of
noble men, forbade his boasting. He
was a friend to man, but he never
sought the spotlight of publicity.
He has passed, mourned by a great
people—but his example, his honesty,
frankness, unfailing friendship, and
sterling atributes shall remain a rich
heritage and inspiration to his loved
ones and a beacon light for his fel-
lowmen.
Survivers of the immediate family
are the widow and eight children:
Mrs. Burl Pinkard of this city, Mrs.
B. D. O’Neal of Seagroves, Everett
Love, San Antonio, Robert and Alex
Love of Monrovia, California, Hu-
bert Love of Harlingen and Misses
Anna and Gladys Love of Jackson- TYLER MWSET MARSHALL
ville.
JUDGMENTS RENDERED
IN SCHOOL TAX SUITS
In District Court at Tyler this
week Judge Warren gave decisions
granting judgment in favor of the
Troup School Board in a number of
suits filed by that body for delinquent
taxes owed to the school district for
the year 1923 and prior years. Upon
receipt of the proper orders and rec-
ords from the court, the school board
expects to enforce collection.
The Board has also filed a number
of suits to enforce collection of tax-
es due the school district for the
year 1924; but these cases have not
yet been brought to trial.
BETTER FARM CAMPAIGN
GOING STRONG IN GREGG
Our Neighbor County Vicing With
Smith in Concerted Move for
Larger Farm Profits
Special to The Banner.
Longview, April 6—A ten-year ag-
ricultural campaign was launched in
Gregg county Saturday when 1,500
enterprising Gregg county framers,
and business men and other citizens
gathered at Longview at one of the
largest meetings of th kind ever held
in the county. Not only is the cam-
paign designed to lead up to “more
cotton on fewer acres,” but it seeks
to encourage the production of enough
feed to supply the needs of every
Gregg county farmer, thereby cutting
down the expenses of feed buying.
Gregg county farmers at noon Sat-
urday were leading Texas in the
number of entries in the Dallas News
state contest, with 250 prominent
farmers from this county enrolled.
Gregg county offers crop prizes
amounting to several hundred dol-
lars, and the county and state contests
idea is taking hold on Gregg county
farmers.
To carry out Gregg county’s cam-
paign for better farming, a board of
30 directors, consisting of the most
responsible men in the county, was
formed at the meeting Saturday.
A brief synopsis of the Gregg
county undertaking is: Planting of
not less than one bushel of uniform
cottonseed per acre; terracing all hill-
side farms; rotation with legume
crops; heavier application of commer-
cial fertilizers; more intensive culti-
vation during growing season; plant-
ing fewer in cotton, but increasing the
county’s total by larger acre yields;
use of delinted seed to aid rapid ger-
mination, supplied by the local oil
men without charge for relinting;
more feed and food on every farm
and more dairy cattle and more meat
animals.
ARP HAS FINE SCHOOL FAIR
Arp, April 6.—The public school
fair held here Friday afternoon was
a school effort that deserves much
praise; because it showed a devotion
to duty and to study on the part of
the student body that is most com-
mendable. The fair was largely at-
tended by people of the community
and by many from other communi-
ties.
Addresses were made by Judge D.
R. Pendleton, County Supt. R. S.
Boulter, and County Agent Elbert
Gentry. Each chose a subject the
discussion of which was appropriate
to the occasion, and their addresses
added much to the Interest and value
of the pleasant afternoon.
Mrs. H. Bev Wilson and Mrs. Mis-
sa Overton Thompson of Overton
were among the visitors to the fair.
Maxie Wilson, one of Overton's
business men, also spent the after-
noon at the school fair.
WINNSBORO CITIZEN’S SUPPORT
BETTER FARMING CAMPAIGN
Winnsboro, April 4.—At a newly
instituted Lions Club which held its
first meeting here last' night, the
membership passed resolutions heart-
ily endorsing the “More cotton on
fewer acres” contest which is being
conducted by the Dallas News.
Many Wood county farmers are
feeling the need of a county agent to
advise with them on the many prob-
lems of the new farm methods which
they are proposing to adopt, and par-
ticularly in the matter of using com-
mercial fertilizers on their 1925
crops. Accordingly the Lions Club
of this city announced that they
would assist Mineola and Quitman in
raising funds with which to pay a
county agent.
NACOGDOCHES PEOPLE HAVE
LEASES NEAR OIL WELL
Nacogdoches April 6—Many Nac-
ogdoches people have made visits to
the Colliton oil well a few miles
northwest of Ponta since the an-
nouncement a week ago that the well
had begun flowing by heads. Some
of them have leases in the vicinity,
and there are some in the county who
own lands in fee which are deemed
to be “within the area of influence”
of the well. The visitors from here
are unanimous in their opinion that
Colliton has discovered a real oil
field since the yhave witnessed the
well’s performance.
STUDENTS AT S. F. A. T. C. OR-
GANIZE RUSK CO. CLUB
Henderson, April, 6—Advices have
been received here that the students
attending the Stephen F. Austin
State Teachres College at Nacogdo-
ches have organized a Rusk County
Club. Robert Buckner was elected
president; Miss Sara Bridges, secre-
tary; Mrs. Alexander, treasurer.
There are nineteen other members in
the club.
Tyler, April 7.—A series of con-
certs at Marshall have been planned
by the Tyler municipal band, of
which Doc Witte is director. These
entertainments are sponsored by the
Marshall Philharmonic Choral Asso-
ciation, and the first of the series is
scheduled to be at the East End
school auditorium at Marshall, April
17.
WINONA 24—GLADEWATER 13
Winona, April 7.—Winona High
school boys’ basket ball team played
the Gladewater team at Gladewater
Friday. The scores were 24 to 18 In
favor of Winona.
OTHER COUNTIES IN TEX-
AS TO FOLLOW SMITH
CO’S. BETTER FARM PLAN
Two weeks age The Raines County
Leader reproduced a full page from
The Banner, it being a preliminary
discussion of the "Better Farming”
Campaign which is being conducted
by the Smith County Agricultural
Council. About ten days ago the
Athens Review asked us for the use
of the cut of the “Ideal Farm” which
we published in the two page display
insert carrying the “16 points” of the
campaign. A recent issue of that
excllent publication had the follow-
inf to say:
“Smith county has a mammoth ag-
ricultural program on foot that will
revolutionize farming in East Texas.
President R. B. Still of the Tyler
Chamber of Commerce, who was in
the city today, stated that the cam-
paign was already bringing results
and he gives much of the credit to
Judge Fitzgerald of Tyler who is con-
ducting a community to community
campaign. A definite program is
outlined whereby the East Texas
farmer can become independent if he
follows out the plan put forward.
In an early issue the Review will
give the details of the program to
its readers and we feel sure that it
will be a move to a more prosperous
condition here.”
CORNERSTONE IS LAID
FOR J’VILLE HI SCHOOL
Under Auspices Masonic Grand Lodge
of Texas—Grand Master
Personally Presides
Special to The Banner:
Jacksonville, April 4.—Two hun-
dred East Texas Masons participated
in the ceremonies here yesterday af-
ternoon of laying the cornerstone of
Jacksonville’s new $125,000 high
school building, and some five hun-
dred other spectators witnessed the
impressive ceremonies which were
conducted in person by Hon. Guinn
Williams, Grand Master of Texas
Masons. He was assisted by the fol-
lowing deputized to act in behalf of
other members of the Grand Lodge:
A. J. Gilchrist, D.D.G.M. of this dis-
trict as Deputy Grand Master; Hen-
ry Edwards of Troup as Grand Se-
nior Warden; Frank Devereaux as
Grand Junior Warden; Douglas
Gragard as Grand Senior Deacon; J
B. Rickman as Grand Junior Deacon;
Travis Todd as Grand Secretary; C.
F. Boles as Grand Treasurer; M. B.
Terrill of Dallas as Grand Orator;
Jack Jones Grand Tiler, D. L. Mur-
phy bearer of the Holy Writings, Rev.
J. M. Newburn Grand Chaplain; H.
C. Pearson Grand Marshall; D. M.
Marshall Grand Architect; Joseph
Summers, I. L. Alexander, bearers
of corn, wine and oil; W. C. Albrit-
ton, C. B. Shumaker, Grand Senior
Stewards; 0. W. Chiles, Grand Juni-
or Steward.
Contents of Corner Stone
A full list of the deposits made in
the cornerstone by friends of educa-
tion in this city and others was not
obtainable. However, a copy of the
Holy Bible, the one book which Ma-
sons revere above all others was de-
posited. A copy of the Daily Prog-
ress of this city, and a copy of The
Troup Banner of April 2 were includ-
ed. A statement in letter from
Young, Allman & Wood, the con-
tractors, a photograph of Superin-
tendent J. J. Montgomery, a copper
penny, engraved with keystone by
Larissa Chapter No. 22, R. A. M., of
Jacksonville, a number of coins of
various denominations and other
small objects were also in the depos-
its made in the cornerstone.
Grand Oroator's Address
Grand Orator Terrill’s address was
a masterpiece of eloquence replete
with citations of the interest Texas
Masons have ever shown in public ed-
ucation in Texas since the organiza-
tion of the Grand Lodge of Texas in
1837. Long before Texas ever had
a public school system, Texas Ma-
sons were fostering public education.
Old records show that more than fifty
institutions of learning were foster-
ed by Texas Masons in the early
days of the republic and the state.
Many of these schools were known as
“Masonic Institutes” and not a few
of them were conducted in quarters
provided by Masonic Lodges. The
speaker reminded his hearers of the
historic fact that the declaration of
Texas Independence was signed prin-
cipally by Masons, by the very men
who organized the Grand Lodge of
Texas, and that it was these same
Masonic Brethren whose sacrifices
on the bloody fields of battle estab-
lished for all time the political inde-
pendence which they had the hardi-
hood and temerity to proclaim to the
world. The Grand Orator also re-
minded his hearers that it is but
natural that, Masons should ever be
concerned to the end that the educa-
tional advantages accorded by Texas
and by the Nation should be of the
highest standard and of the largest
efficiency, because only in a wide and
general diffusion of knowledge among
a people is it possible to maintain a
democracy.
The speaker directed much of his
address to the school children pres-
ent and to their parents, adjuring
the first to take advantage of the op-
portunities which their state provid-
es, and the latter to support with
fervent zeal the state’s educational
establishments.
ARP ELECTS TRUSTEES
Arp. April 7.—The following have
been chosen trustees of the Arp pub-
lic school: W. H. McKay, W. R.
Haws and J. P. Cooper. Mr. Cooper
was reelected.
(Continued on Last Page)
PRESENT COUNTY COURT
TO COLLECT BACK TAX
EFFICIENT BLOCK-MAP SYSTEM
INSTALLED—EXPERIENCED
MEN EMPLOYED
PROBABLY $750,000 IS DUE
Bond Taken for Completing Work-
Pay on Contingent Basis Fa-
vorable to County
Special to The Banner:
Tyler, April 6.—Speaking in gen-
eral terms, the financial condition of
Smith county is on a satisfactory ba-
sis, with two important exceptions.
To speak in the language of the
banker, all the funds of the county
are “solvent” except the County Gen-
eral Fund. Thas is close to $70,000
in the red. This fact is traceable to
the county’s efforts in past years to
eradicate the cattle tick. Smith
county has made a better job than
most counties have—and it may be
that Smith county has not come so
nearly “going busted” in her battle
with the ticks as most East Texas
counties have which have essayed the
tick-eradication role. The other im-
portant exception with respect to the
financial condition of the county is
this, and you will agree that it is a
staggering one, namely: There is
due to Smith county in delinquent
taxes, delinquent within the past
twenty years or less, a stunning,
staggering sum. It is somewhere be-
tween |500.00 and $1,000,000. Only
a most careful audit of the tax books
for the period can reveal the total—
and before that audit can be accu-
rately made, it will be necessary to
construct from the ground up some
special agencies for the ascertain-
ment of the amount that is due to
the county’s treasury. That instru-
mentality will be a block-map sys-
tem brought right up to date; and
an audit of all the county’s books
and records will be carried out . while
the work of collecting the delinquent
taxes is under way.
Purposes of the Court
The present county judge and com-
missioners regard the county as but
a big corporation, one in which all
the people of the county are stock-
holders, and one which ought to be
• administered with the same care and
precision and fidelity to administra-
tive detail that characterises the con-
duct of the most successful banks,
factories and other enterprises whose
stockholders are much fewer in num-
ber than are those of a County
Corporate. It is not only a matter
of fairness to the public in Smith
county that they should know about
their county administrative and bus-
iness matters; but it is a matter of
right which every public official of
the county may justly claim, that his
accounts with and dealings for the
county be so reviewed as to place his
official record ‘in the clear.”
Moreover, there are thousands and
thousands of the stockholders in this
big business corporation we call
Smith county who have always and
invariably paid the taxes on their
property renditions as accepted by
the constituted taxing authorities.
But there are others, many others,
not paupers nor extremely poor peo-
ple, but persons known to have con-
siderable property, subject to taxa-
tion who have never rendered much
of their property, even of their
realty, for taxation at all—and there
are many people also, not of poor-
er class eitner, who never pay taxes
to the county, the state, or to any
other political subdivision endowed
With taxing functions. It may not
be known that of the approximate
,630,000 acres of land in the county,
it has been a rare case when as much
as 600,000 acres of it have been ren-
dered for taxes—and during one re-
cent year, it is said, almost or quite
100,000 acres of land were carried on
the “unrendered rolls.” More might
be said in citing facts which have
disposed the present county court to
go to the very bottom of these evils
of public administration, to do all
that lies within their official power
and duty to “spread” the tax bur-
dens out so that there shall be jus-
tice and fairness as nearly as is hu-
manly possible in placing the bur-
dens of taxation and of financial
maintenance of the County Corpo-
rate on all shoulders in the manner
prescribed and contemplated by our
Constitutions of government.
To comprehend accurately just
how great are the deficiencies of ad-
ministration with respect to our tax-
ing system and our tax collecting
system here in Smith county is a dif-
ficult thing. One has only to talk
to the tax assessor and his deputies,
to the tax collector and his deputies,
to the several members of the com-
missioners court, and to many tax-
payers, tax-payers ofthe regular, un-
failing, non-dodging kind, to know
that something ought to be done
about it. More than that, this writ-
er is in possession of facts from the
State Comptroller’s office at Austin
which are certainly no less stagger-
ing than the facts which are known,
and ascertainable, right here in the
county courthouse of Smith county,
Texas. Think of it! If that half
million, or three-quarters of a mil-
lion, or (it may be) a million dollars
of delinquent taxes due in Smith
county were in hand; or even if half
of the smallest figure set down here
were in hand, were in the county
treasury, the General County Fund
would not be in the red, and there
would be no need for a heavy levy .
for this good year. We don’t won-
der that citizens from every part of
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The Troup Banner (Troup, Tex.), Vol. 31, No. 41, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 9, 1925, newspaper, April 9, 1925; Troup, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1697376/m1/1/?q=waco+tornado: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Library and Archives Commission.