Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-05-11
R. r. EXTENSION.



To the People Of Zowa Co., Wis.
| Law before you a letter from Hon. j.,
II. Mills. which is clear and practical,
and worthy Of ysur careful perusal aud
study. u. W. W.
lancaster, Mny !, 1871.
pgAe Sin,:--The importance of your
letter demands a prompt ard candid ie-
DIV. If ! were citizen OF Iowa county,
without the appearance OF informed
where ought not, ! certainly should
E,fyocate. the, extension, Of the Mineral
Point X. II tfsfough your county, lifting
that road from the humble condition OF a
mere feeder, to II great thoronGh'nre,
through which the trade and travel to
ard Crn,n tie lumber and pine regions OF
the. northern Wisconsin and Minnesota
wu,la find its shortest and most conven-
lent route. might 30 so FAR rs to advise
tie county and towns through or near
which the roads might pass to issue their
bonds in purchase Oh the stock OF the
rond, although such stock, ~ is always
the case with unpreferred stock, M ght
urose worthless ! might so advise,
shourh the incubus Of II half a million OF
debt that now presses upon the connfy
had its Origin in the folly, fraud ana es-
element that violated the sanctisy o'ifhe
ballot box, and enabled. one section OF
your county to saddle upon all, the sx-
pcnses and costs of II project to which. IT
is claimed, large majority OF the'legal
voters of the county were strennonsly
opposed. Communities have become
wser-since that time, if not more honest
We have registry law that has IN
great measure, since its passage, preserv'
e., the purity Of the ballet box. Moreover,
should the, county subscribe for stock,
land this was your first proposition such
n contract coald be drawn up between
the Construction Company and the Coan
ty, rs would preclude the possibility ot
i,prs.,fion on the county When gwen.
lemrfh of road is finished and put inrun'
nipa order, ana so certified by the roun'
tv authorities, then certain amount OF
bonds deposited rs an escrow with some
trustee shallbe delivered to the company.
Suspicion and caution might suggest TINT
even. here under such an arrangement.
fran,h is possible This ! grant-the
trustee might prove iathies-, but all
transactions between man'and man are
liable tosuch possibilities
1t Is true chat dread The influence OF
corporate wealth and its attendant power,
and railroads are king among such cor
Ezl,,h, - n m ~
hoppers. But it is the glory OF our age
that our millionnires are disposed to.lay
ont their money in this way; giving EN-
ployment 30, thousands, and drawing the
remotest regions ef our continent into
continuity. enabling the tiller OF the sol,
TO reach the mnrkets Of the world, ana
uniting our widely separates millions in
to one nations with political, social and
commercial ligaments stronger than Its
iron bars
But would not feel aaoh an interest
in yonr propositions were it not coM.ected
with the idea of freeing your county
lrom the heavy debt that mSst continual.
" disturb the mind OF everv thouLhtlu'
man in it, Who among yon has not
asked the. question, how, when shall The
debt be paid Can its collection be Tor
ever DELAYED, and is there any process
known to the law by which the federal
conrts can enforce its payment ton-
si.lerinr the origin of the indebtedness,
that large portion, of the people were
opposed to the issue OF the county bonds
in 1853, ehev were in>t fable in resoftln-
to every legal means to avoid the pay
meat The conrts.of last resort both
Ss,te and national, have affirmed the la
hilty Of the county and oil further rrSist
ance is useless and hopeless Ii the
owners Of your bonds ere large capitals
lists, they will not feel disposed to rema
one farthing of the indebtedness because
they know they can coercs It's payment,
| Cany body teaches your citizens to the
contrary, he has not informed himself on
the subject, and tho good sense OF your
people should reiec his advice, Already
federal Circuit Judge has ordere his
Marshal, in case the local officers refuse
to do their duty, to. enter the limits OF
st Genevieve, and collect n Judgment
against thrt city from the proceeds OF
any personal property he may lind there
belonging to ifs citizens, Inc actual
sufferers mast then sure their nei shbors for
contribution As best they can, sincere
ly and firmly believe that your county
had good legal defence against these
bonds which our Supreme Court wonld
snstain; bat grief, blame and recrlmina-
ton afford neither yelief or remedy |
do not see at present An easier method of
paving off this OH Indebtedness than
that rrupnsel bv you, for the debt mast
be paia, if not by the voluntary action Of
| Your people then by the coerciye power
of tha federal courts
Its very clear that if particular
town shoni bus such on amount Of
the outStanain. county bonds "a would