Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1865-01-16

IortaDle IN every EeSpcct cieeP-
ing Coaches on all Nigh Trains-in fact
nothing is lacking to make the trip by this
route one of perfect comfort. Call for
tickets via the Michigan Southern and Lake
Shore Route, and you will hit the nail on
the head.
An OPINION ON TIE BouNrY QuEsrroN.-
In communication published in the Gazette
this morning. Geo. P. Whitcomb, Esq,
member Of the Board of Supervisors, and Of
the bar as will, gives it his opinion that
there is no question as to the legality ofthe
action Of tho Board of Supervisors, whereby
the sum of $3.50 was appropriated out Of
the funds of the county to be paid to each
volunteer under the late call for 300,0 900
men. We have frequently heard the legal
ity of the step questioned; but it is hardly
fair to presume that Mr.. Whitoomb would
risk his reputation IS lawyer, so far as to
publish this opinion without having given
it q most careful and earnest consideration.
The question is one of great importance, as
it involves the validity of at least one hum
dred thousand dollars worth Of County
Warrants, soon to be issued. As there is
no money in the County Treasury to redeem
these Warrants, it has been deemed advisa-
bic to solicit merchants and business men
to take them ut par; and were there the
least suspicion Of illegality hanging about
them it would be found quite difficult to
find any purchasers. Indeed it would be an
outrage to offer any questionable paper in
that way, even though an illegal act might
be ''cured' ct future meeting Of the
Board.
But there is another feature in the resolu-
tons authorizing the bounty which should
not be overlooked though much to be re-
grcttcd, and one which Mr.. W. thinks pos
sibly faulty; and that's the question Of the
legality Of the last resolution, which pro-
vides. for the payment Of the $3.50 bounty
to drafted men, and no lawyer, we think,
will deny that this has direct tendency to
work mischief upon the entire plan, because
of, its illegality, unless it is renedied at once
by the coming together Of the Board. It
must be admitted that no portion Of the res
olutions past can be ignored without vitiat
ing the entire series, and that obnox
ious portion can only be expunged by d.
rect acton Of the Board. They can recon-
slider and amend, but we take it that the
Committee appointed to issue the County
Warrants has no discretion in the matter.
We look upon the entire project as defeated
unless the Board convenes at once, and we
call upon the authorities to make the neces
sary efforts to bring them together.
And yet there may be some objection to
that, for since writing the above we are in
formed by Supervisor Matthes that he only
voted for the resolutions upon the strength
of the assurance that the clause relating to
the payment of bounty to drafted men was
legal; and that if there is any question
about its legality he should certainly vote
against giving any bounty whatever. This
development, inasmuch as the resolutions
passed merely by majority of one, would
seem to forbid any further action in refer
ence to the matter, unless some Of the op-
posing members have chans.d their opin-
ions since the adjournment Of the Board.
As the matter stands. we are sorry to say.
it is pretty clear that the whole thing will
slump through. We believe the measure to
be popular one, and much regret that
it was decided not to let it come before the
people, for we are convinced that it would
not only have been sanctioned, but that by
taking little time for considering the mat.
ter the illegalities would have been detected
and wiped out. 1t is getting pretty late now
to hold an election,-i is evident that the
resolutions are not strictly legal in every
respect-and therefore money cannot be
raised upon the Warrants ordered to be is
sued. So the last and only resort we can
see is to try what can be done by getting
the Board together again. Shall it not be
done?
ARRESTED. Lane, fellow who had
bean stealing from Shines tavern, in Mus
catane, ran away from that place and Vas
next heard Of ID Davenport. To-day Mr..
James, the Muscatino city marshal, chased
him across the ice to this citp, and City
Marshal Cropper, sent Policeman Benntt to
aid Mr.. james, and they caught him on
Moline Avenue. He Was taken back to
Nuscatine. Rock Zs1and
An ImrExDrxo BATrIs.-Lubin, the re-
nowned Perfumer, il in the field with his
great toilet requisite, ''Hair Dressing Floril-
ine,'' prepared to give battle to the host Of
worthless Hair Tonics with which the world
| is flooded. Ofhis success no sane man can
doubt. His agents is America, Messrs.
Drake 4 Childs, have taken up his cndgels,
end propose TO fight e out On this hns, u
! il takes u oummee."
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