St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1859-09-29
THE ST. CLOUD DEMOCRAT
JANE G.. SWISSHELM. EDITOR
Thursday, September, 20, 1859.
Who are Responsible i?

J. Parsons esq, was reported to have said
that the Republicans are responsible for
tho debt and financial distress Of the State.
This appeared to us incredible, when Mr.
P. calling at our Office, we enquircd his
views, and he carefully and kindly gave
us the substance of what he had said on
that occasion: He illustrates the point he
proposes making by supposing that he
had purchased Of Mr.. Brott block OF
lots, stating to Mr.. B. his circumstances
and plans; that he intended building, but
had not capital to furnish and pay for his
lots, supposing that he had also spoken to
Messrs. stearns, Miller, Swisshelm and
others stating his plans and bcspeaking
their confidence, he begins to build, gets
half done, thinks all looks fair for compile
ton when he leaves for few days; and on
returning is met by some one who informs
him that he is not going to finish hisbuild-
ing. In astonishment be denies the
charge; but is assured that he will not for
MI. Brott says he will not trust him for
the lots, Messrs. stearns, Miller, and Swiss
helm say his credit is not good, Mr.. West
will furnish no more lime, the masons and
carpenters have refused to work, Bridge
man will let him have no more timber and
so the building is stopped, and Mr.. P. has
been badly used.
Now, being a woman, Of course, We
know very little about bushes: but if Mr..
Ps case was ours, we should have had a
deed for the lots, and recorded it, giving
notes due at time we felt certain of be-
ing able to pay. Then We should have
stated our case fairly aud squarely to work
men and those furnishing materials; and
after agreeing upon the best terms we
could, we should have had written con-
tracts with every sinner Of them. Then,
we should not have taken the trouble to
say 'beans' to Messrs. Stearns, Miller,
Mitchell, Swisshelm or anybody else un-
less we wanted them to furnish some ma
terial aid, when we should have had that
bargain in black and white. Then we
would have gone on with the building;
apd if our plans had been well laid, our
project reasonable, and our engagements
promptly and faithfully met as far as We
went. Messrs. Brott, and Stearns, and
Miller, and Mitchell, and Swisshelm, and
all the rest Of mankind with Mrs. Grumpy
to help them, might have talked them
selves hoarse; and we would have built
tho house.
Mr.. P. thus applies this supposed case
to the Railroad Companies. Gov. Sibley
went to New York to negotiate the bonds
He called upon Messrs. - Brokers sta
ted his case fully. The - listened
respectfully, were favorably impressed said
they had funds from England to invest,
thought, from his statement, that it was
highly probable they would invest them
in these Railroad bonds which he had for
sa]e-but, they wished time to consider
Mr.: Smith I've will call him) was here to
negotiate for funds for something in Gen.
tral America; and Mr.. Jones, had applied
tor cash to be used some place else. The
-s wished to do the best they could
for their principals; and before concluding
tho bargain with Gov. sibley must sec
Smith and Jones. This was Friday, Mon
day noon was the tim appointed for hi. E1-
cellency to call and learn their decision.
| An episode comes in here which Mr.. P.
did not mention; but which is recorded in
the New York Evening Post, Democrat
10 paper, viz: that thezSman who went to
negotiate the salei iof the Minnesota Rail
road bonds was, while there enveighed in
to gambling hell one night and relieved Of
$4,000 oftne bonds. Whether this man
was Gov. Sibley, or whether some other
man was there on the same errant with the
bonds in his pocket, whether this happened
on the Friday, Saturday or Sabbath night
which intervened between the Governors
first and second visits to the -s We know
not. Whether tho -s knew anytlin
Of the transaction and concluded that the
man who got rid Of bonds in that fashion
might be an unsafe fnanaier, we know not