Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-03-17

Mr. EDrroR;-The other day was examining
the Southport Annual Register and the dongs
therein contained. imagined was called upon
to transmit 10 posterIty the great and wonderful do
ings OF certain great men now in this town tn the
far west, VIZ: John, John jr., Samuel Reuben,
David and Charley. Now it came 10 pass on a GER
tain occasion, these great men assembled them
selves together TO devise ways and means TO pro-
mote the public good. Charley was the first to
speak and open the business of the meeting, ana
SAID: The town, county, village, north and SCUM
ward corporations, is the best government IN the
world, particularly being founded upon first prn-
ciples OF checks and balances, in addition to these
advantages, we can raise by taxes as much money
as we want, under the name oil town, county, ana
special town taxes and the general corporation
tax, north ward tax south ward tax, school tax,
pest house tax, and the poor tax, and one more
tax which is great and glorious for as, that is, the
act we Obtained from the Legislature this winter to
enable to levy another school tax OF too thousand
dollars year. Now, Gentlemen, only think how
popular this school is and must continue to be:
it is equal life rent for all; and don't you see
how easy it will always be TO make up any defcien-
cy of m"ney we may at any time require: for no
one vii, dare to speak against a school tar, and
since have got this new school act passed by the
Legislature, | am sure Gentlemen YOU will be
more liberal towards US, and give Reuben and me
better share OF the tax money than we had last
year. On Charley taking hi. seat, John ir rose
and extended his arms wider than usual, thereby
giving his brethren to understand that he was in
earnest IN what he was abont to say; when h pro-
ceeded thus. I'say, Gentlemen, for the last three
years and my friends and agents have done more
than any others IN promoting the system of raising
money by taxes. and that have not received my
share, and would have yon understand that | shall
insist upon having the deficiency made up this year
Yes, says Samuel, John lr. must have his share
made up TO him for his interest is mine, and tell
nnNu a. do. L
turn all OF you out of Office and put in others who
will do our pleasure; | will let you know that we
have only slept out Of office, not for your advan-
tage, but Tor our own interest. and | tell you to
take care in future, that you do not forget your
selves by reason of the fat things we allow you to
have. Reuben thought he must pacify Samuel
and SAID, ., Samuel do keep cool, while assure
you with perfect good feeling towards all of you -,
Gentlemen, when | say you have put too much la
Dor upon me for the pay | have had. You very
well know that Office is what want and must have.
l have done many things to please you, and tell
you once for all that have and will do Just as you
say, II you will keep me in Off e and allow 10
have good pay. Now, only compare my pay with
Davld's, you have given him two school lots, a va
liable part ofexchange street, and other perqustes
within one year, which are worth more than two
thousand dollars. Here Charley thought il neces
sary to interrupt Reuben, for he exposing
little too much, and fearing that 81 me break or diff
hculy might grow out Of this debate, he concluded
II would be best to bring about reconciliation on
first principles, which to satisfy them all. viz
that each would next year receive more than dou e
bic Of any preceding year and this could be shown
upon first principles; that is we have without dIt-
hcuty succeeded in taxing three and half per CT.
upon the property last year, although there was
some grambhng on account of the great amount OF
taxes collected from the people: but that can be ca
silly settled by enlstlng ten or dozen more in our
service and pay them by taking part from those
who have too much now; by these means we can
levy in virtue Of our last school act two per cent
which will make five and half per centum
and have the property assessed at double its value
as we have done before, then we vii! issue scrip to
ourselves and friends and when the money shall be
collected WIS shall have it. We shall have about
two thousand days of statute labor, use
that in making Improvements which will answer to
make the people satisfied and if any pc sons should
be so lmprudsnt to attempt to investigate our
dolngs will ourselves and by our agents. crY
them dolon that no ono will belive them. As soon
Charley took his seat, Samuel rose with his
counten1nce and gestures full of dignity and i'm
porance, and said, | have a re solution to otft 7
which expect will be adopted without dissent
ing voice;
Whereas some Of orr most private and import
aNt secrets have been dscovered Therefore, we
Resolve,
That it is incxpedient that any one in this town
should hold any office the gift of the People who
we think will not implicitly obey cur commands
and keep a close mouth until we give them liberty
10 speak. The vote being taken the preamble and
resolution were unanimously adopted; after which
these great men adjourned their interfering ani use
full meeting, and went their way rejoicing on ac-
count of the amount of good which would result
from their judicIous deliberations and proceedings
JONATHAN
March, 1916.