Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1869-03-31

''i''AC S--- 49, - &liA tAS uSCteS III III dt
case was not reversed, annul i or set aside,
because the.aecree was rendered in a case
commenced before the suits on The bonds
were CONFERENCE.-THE State Court having
first acquired Jurisdiction,
The Supreme Court of tae United
States, has in many cases decided, that
when the State Court first acquesces in ju-
risdiction, it will take away the jurisdic
ton Of the Federal Court.
You say, that the decision Of Judge
Beck was greeted with cheers. You have
been misinformed. Nothing of the kind
took place, a more orderly conducted pro-
ceeding, from beginning to end was never
seen in a court OF justice: .
You close By saying that it was shown
by Judge Beck that his decision, if erro-
neous, could be appealed to the State Sa-
preme Court, and taken from that court to
the United States Supreme Court. You
then add that a shorter method will be
provided. You do not wish to be under
stood as advocating appeal to violence
when the peaceable course Of the law will
settle the controversy. ..[.. - ~
Yours issthe leading paper of your great
city, and your city ought to do justice to
Iowa. Chicago has interests in this State.
In this railroad bond litigation there are
at least twenty counties and as many cities
interested, having bonds out to different
railroads tainted with all conceivable de-
grees of fraud. Every one of these counties
and cities propose to litigate their bonds
to the end of the law, butt beatenfnally
will submit, as every good citizen should
do. But how can newspaper discussions
aid courts of justice to arrive at the truth
What object have the bondholders in get
ting this question into the newspapers !?
Your city, and he influence of your paper
cannot be on the side of these bondhold-
ers, right or wrong, and through your
columns endeavor to set UP pubic opinion
against the Courts of Iowa, and the rights
of those twenty counties and cities in the
State. If SO, let us of Iowa know it. We
have had in this county litigation ex-
tending through more than twenty years,
involving title to 10000 acres of land,
and all the real estate of our Furnishing
cities. The value of this property is many
millions. 1t was hotly litigated, residents
of Iowa and many other States were inte-
rested In the property. Chicago and St.
Louis newspapers did not take part in the
controversy. It is finally settled through
the courts by the law, just as the bond
question will be. Let the courts settle
this question, and when settled the loyal,
true people of Iowa will abide their judg-
ment. The courts will not be Influenced
by newspaper dis cussions, and articles Of
lawyers, who, when beaten in court, ap.
peal to the press. We have nothing to
fear from public opinion, and desire no
concealment of our position but what we
| do demand, and most desire is, if it is to
/ be made public question, that whatever
may be said, as to our case, may be fairly
and truthfully said. And if understood
abroad as it is at home, aud as it is in fact
the very great majority Of the bar, th
bench. the newspaper press, and the PEG
! pie, will take the side of Iowa in this con.
| troversy Because it is State. question
affecting the Constitution. the laws, the
/ judiciary and the people of the State, and
not confined, as you intimate, to few re
tractory Supervisors of the county.
And, inasmuch as you have published
one side, you will do US the justice to in.
sert in your widely circulated paper this
communication, that your readers may
have both sides. .- .-.a
As soon as printed, [ will send you q
copy of Judge BecIz's opinion, which gives
the facts and law relating to the hobca;
corpus care as understood y the Iowa
judiciary, And as your article is calcu
lated to prejudice your readers, your sense
Of justice, We trust, will induce you t.
publish Judge Beck's opinion in your
| columns -.
Respectfully, JOSEPH HALMAN,
H. A Supervisor