April 11, 1911
New Road Law Goes Into Effect In June
Pay Poll Tax Or Work It Out
Judges of Election for Culberson County Named and Polling Places Are Established
In June those patriotic citizens of El Paso County whose names cannot be found among those who have paid their poll tax for 1911, will have to give the country three days labor on the county roads, and the county commissioners say they will appoint a road overseer who will not overlook a single poll tax dodger, and who will get three good days work out of every one of them.
When the county commissioner’s court convened yesterday morning Judge Eylar stated that the special road law for El Paso County would go into effect in June and that under its operation every man who fails to pay his poll tax must work three days in every year on the public roads of the county.
The following report from the county judge was made an order: I herewith report to the commissioners’ court that I have made the following appointment of judges and voting places for the Culberson County special election of April 18, 1911.
Precinct No. 1. Voting place, Mexican school house at Van Horn; J.R. Whitten, presiding judge; T.B. Floyd, associate judge.
Precinct, No. 2. Voting place, store at Plateau. D.C. Armstrong, presiding judge; H.R. Richburg, associate judge.
Precinct, No. 3. Voting place, old Van Horn school house, T.C. Turk, presiding judge W.P. Ceaslin, associate judge.
Precinct, No. 4. Voting place, section house at Plateau. H.C. McCarty, presiding judge; J.L. Mills, associate judge.
Precinct, No. 5. Voting place, Figure 2 ranch. C.B. Hamilton, presiding judge; Bill Dougherty, associate judge.
Precinct. No. 6. Voting place, Sayles’ ranch. E.W. E. Nelbhur, presiding judge; Frank Filbrick, associate judge.
Precinct No. 7. Voting place, Kent school house, T.A. Miller, presiding judge; Jim Hutchinson, associate judge.
Mrs. Mary Manering was placed on the pauper pension list for $5 per month. The question as to whether or not the county could utilize certain sinking funds to assist the road improvement fund was referred to County Judge Eylar and the County Treasurer.
It was explained that at present the county is getting only 2 per cent for this money and has to pay 6 per cent on road warrants and that the 2 per cent could be paid in on the fund used. An appropriation of $35 was made for the Vineyard track road.
Judge Eylar said that L.G. de Lara and his Socialist followers wanted to hold a meeting on the courthouse lawn and the sheriff would permit it provided they kept off the grass. Fighting Diaz at long distance, with the mouth, the judge said, did not hurt the Mexican government, but it killed the grass on the lawn.
“I understand,” said Judge Eylar “that the meeting is for the ostensible purpose of creating sympathy for the Mexican insurrectos, but the best way for these agitators to help the Mexican revolution is to take a gun and get on the firing line.” Judge Eylar announced that the governor had appointed judges for the new court of appeals and that the bill provided that the citizens of El Paso should supply a library for the court. He supposed that meant to raise funds for the library by subscription. However, the county would have to furnish a court room which could be done by cutting the 41st court room in two and making two rooms of it.
The sheriff’s bill for feeding prisoners in March amounted to $1030. The judge said this was the largest board bill the county had been called on to pay. He said the law no allowed the sheriff 40 cents per day for feeding each prisoner. Dr. White was requested to prescribe the standard of milk to be used at the county hospital, so that the auditor could ask for bids to supply the milk.
The pest house at San Elizario was ordered closed next Saturday, as the last smallpox patient would be discharged Friday. Juan Rodriguez put into claim for $232.50 damages alleged to have been sustained by C.F. White burning his house, furniture and clothing. Discussion disclosed the fact that there had been two cases of smallpox in the house, but that it had been thoroughly fumigated by Dr. Mitchell. The members of the court were of the opinion that Mr. White should pay the damages.
Interest amounting to $1188 was ordered paid on the Caples road warrants. Judge Eylar called Dr. Hugh White’s attention to the fact that $1100 had been appropriated to handle the smallpox situation in the valley and that It had up to date cost the county $2600. The judge said this expense should be cut off at once, as there is now no smallpox in the valley.
County Auditor Escajeda submitted a report on expenditures during March.
Hi Trish,
I have a similar blog from San Luis Obispo, California. I have put a link to your site there.
It is odd to see laws in history that no longer apply today. Until September 1969 women were not allowed to tend bar in California.
Here is the web address if you are curious.
http://sloblogs.thetribunenews.com/slovault/2009/02/09/change-you-can-drink-to-women-allowed-to-bartend/
Posted by: David Middlecamp | March 26, 2009 at 09:46 AM