Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1871-06-23
Iowa County Bonds.

matter or railroad extension; the reason
being, there has been nothing new devel-
oped. But, perhaps it would be well to
look the prospect over; and, as we have
been silent on the subject for some time,
letting others have the chances of express
ing themselves, we think it incumbent on
us at this time to look into the position
and say few words.
We have had much reasoning on the
part of the bond holders, many published
legal opinions from some of the most able
lawyers in the west, all, without an excep-
ton, indicating the bond-holders, and
against the people, all saying this debt
must be paid, each reasoning from differ
ent standpoint, aud all arriving at the same
conclusion. We think the people are well
posted by this time, and that they have
concluded what is best to be DONE
The benefit of a road running through
our county north no one questions. We
all know it would be to our advantage to
have this desired connection with the lum-
Der region. We, of Dodgeville, are per-
haps more anxious about the final result of
the present agitation than our neighbors.
1t is natural we should be, and no one can
blame us in the least for using our every
effort to accomplish this great object A
;o I.
country demands it, and our opinion is we
we shall eventually have it, but in what
way this is to be obtained is another ques-
ton. The people of Iowa Co., say they
don't want road on Mr.. Cobb's scheme :;
they have long said they are willing to
compromise with the bond-holders, but it
must be an honorable compromise They
do not consider paying dollar for dollar,
any compromise at all, and of course they
are not ready to accept these terms. Our
r. r. meetings, and the decisions of our Go.
Beard, show better than anything else,
the disposition of our people in regard to
this great question. "Shall we pay these
bonds ?" is the question. The people of
Iowa county say we will not pay dollar
of them. Every town in the county. ex-
cepting Dodgevile, subscribes to the above
declaration. The people think they are in
the right, notwithstanding the decisions of
all the courts against them. The law says
~ orr T,,e
tice says, we owe nothing, therefore we
should not be compelled to pay anything
We have watched this bond matter for
long time. We know all the moves that
have been made with a view to extort from
the people their hard earned money. We
know the debt is not just one, and as far
as right and wrong is concerned ought new
er to be paid. We are aware also that the
people have repeatedly offered to compro-
mise with the bond holders, Offering to
pay all they possibly could they have as
repeatedly been refused a hearing. The
people have been treated with scorn and
contempt. We have good reason to be
satisfied that the majority of the property
holders of this county intend to refuse to
the last to pay one dollar of the present
bond debt, until they are actually COMPEL
ed. The compulsion of course will settle
the long contested question.
The late propositions of Geo. w. Cobb,
have been treated as we expected they
would, both by the people and the county
Board, and what else could be expected
the people have no foundation to build
upon the promises of to day are no
better, stronger or more binding than they
were before the Mineral Point r, R. was
built, and they will break equally as easy.
We are told there is q new construction
company authorized to build this road
but where is it, and who is it? These
questions have often been asked, but as
yet, never been answered.
Why not make it to the interest of the
whole county to take up their bonds and
pay their bond debt instead of trying an
experiment with small worthless bait
We are told it is impossible to make terms
with all the bond holders. If this is so,
and it is actually impossible, our advise is
to just wait until it becomes possible, and
don't pay one dollar until the Shylocks
will compromise, or you are compelled too
by the strong arm of the law.
We have never opposed q railroad
through our county. We would gladly
help any cause that was honorable and
Just. A road should be built, but it docs
not follow because we don't wish to pay
these bonds, that we shall loose the chance
of having railroad This bond matter
has little to do with the prospects of a
road !; that is another question. If the
people want road, their best plan is to
subscribe the aid, and get one pay as the
road progresses, and give no room for any
more swindling.
Personally, we have no axes to grind on
the railroad grindstone, but we have an
interest in Iowa County, and in the peo-
pie of the county. We have seen the peo-
pie hnmbugged so often that it has become
tiresome in the extreme, and our wish is
that they look far enough ahead to escape
the traps and gins that are, or may be
laid for them, by lot of mercyless Shy
locks, Brokers and money makers.
We propose to fall in with, and vind-
cate the action and wish of the nennla Of