Northfield Number Three

Editor Dbmocbat: - In your issue Of Juni) ISth I huw fit to criticue through your columns a few of the official acts of the supervisor of Northfleld, as well as that of the board of review of that township. As a citizen of that township, as I then stated, I supposed that I had the right to do so without being questioned, as to the motives which prompted it, and as Buch I was entitled to a fair, candid and honorable cxplnnation by the supervisor, touching the facts and circumstances in the case. In your last issue I am confronted with his reply, consisting chieüy of a publication of a series of parcels of lands and descriptions, eyidently copied from his roll, coupled with personal attacks, in the shape of argumenta. His reply is particularly notioeable for bad taste, bad language and bad brood ing, and demonstrates fully the make-up of the individual whose name isattached to it. From the list of taxable property furnished by him, I propose to prove that the statement I made in my communication of June 18 was correot, towit: ïhat the judgment of this man Purtell was bad as to the value of real estáte, or if not, that he acted from corrupt or sordid motives in making his assesament. Let me analyze his statement and see what it shows. He furnishes us in the aggregate 3,030 acres of land. which he admits he assossed on his roll of thifl year at $115,050 or an average assessment of less than $38 per acre. I will venture to say that not a ingle paroel of that land described by him and assessed as nbove, can be purchased for any such figures. This is the average showing of the immaculate "Pat," who would have the world believe that he, and he alone, is versed in the value of Northfield lands, and that he has honestly and faithfully eomplied with his oath of of fice and the law which requires him to assess real estáte at its cash value. So much for his published hst. By reference to his roll covering passed assessments, it will appear entirely olear that there are pareéis of land assessed on it for as much as they would sell for in tbe market to-day, while there are other parcels of about the same claus of lands assessed by him at about one-third thoir cash value. To those who are versed in this gentleman's ways it will appear entirely clear that theso favored ones are those who have been faithful to him in the past by depositing their ballot for him on election day. This is evidently their reward. Heexclaims: "I have held office since 1871 and am not aahamed of my pohtical record or my private character." I have no deaire, Mr. Editor, to analyze this man's private record, altho' there is ampie room and cause for just criticism in it, but will reet my case by calling attention to one special incident in the political career of the gentleman, whioh I think will speak for itaelf: By Consulting the records of the board of supervisors for 1884, I find that this man Purtell, true "to his thirst for office, was that year a oandidate for chai r man of the board. The democratie members of that body met in caucus to determine their ohoico for that position. O. S. Gregory of Dexter and P. S. Purtell were candidatos. A vote was taken and Gregory having a majority was declared unanimouslythe choice of the democratie side of the house. It is, I believe, a well settled principie that when con test - ants for those positions submit their nlnimn tn a f.ftnfiiiH. thfi minoritv are in honor bound to submit to the will of the majority. What was the result in this case? Mr. Purtell retires from the oaucus, allies himself with the repnblioan mraority, strains every nerve to be eleoted chairman and to defeat the man he was pledged to support. Any and every artífice is resorted to by him that he may play the "Ape" for that session, thereby stulif) ing himself as well as the party who was responsible for his being there. So much for this man's "honorable political record" which he swaggers so much about. He promises a rich treat ín his neit communication, on his assessments of personal property on his roll, and other interogate the gentleman further when the time comes, but must await patiently his pronunciamento. Citizen.