Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1872-09-04
WatertOWn Union League.

| Meeting August 3lst, 1872, at Bolts
Hall. Roll called by President Moore Min
utes of last meeting read and found incor-
rect, owing to the carelessness of the press,
as in clause of Mr.. Devy's speech the word
| Opposition" was twice substituted for sop
PRESTON" The President called for the
| reports of the different wards which were
| given in favorable 10 the organization. New
members were admitted through the COM
| mittee of safety Mr.. T. Evans rose and
stated that certain taxpayer applied to
| him for admission; the application was con-
| sidered by the committee of safety and
| found to be Objectionable. Mr.. Rogan
rose and said he supposed he was the TAX
payer referred to, and having received per-
mission from the President addressed the
meeting. He endeavored to vindcate his
own conduct in regard to the railroad bond
question. He had worked hard to bring
| about the indebtness with view to benefit
the city, and he had also tried hard to bring
| about settlement according to the Lindon
House plan, or any other plan of a similar
nature. Mr.. P. Devy replied to the above
by saying Mr.. f. Rogan took little too
much to himself There were other cit-
zens who exerted themselves and taxed
their energies to save the city at time of
nm nent peril when J.. Bertram and NJ. B.
n lillian did their best to cucumber the
city with debt of fifty thousand dollars.
This led ~ the Linden House plan through
Mr. R. Jones and himself. Mr.. P. Rogan
may take to himself the credit of introduce
ing the speaker, and a vote of thanks to the
minority of the Council.
Mr.. DIN expressed his views by saying
that to him our city appeared to have been
upside down for the last II years. but the
Union LEAGUE seemed strong enough to
turn it right side up. We must trust in
God and keep our powder dry. President
Moore then read to the meeting the written
statement of Theodore Prentiss, given 20
the committee appointed to wait on him,
which was as follows:
WATERFOWL, Aug. 22d, 1872.
At the request of the committee, Messrs.
Carlin, Devy and Jones' | certify that in
1857 owned three Watertown city bonds
of 100 each, issued to the Milwaukee and
Watertown Railroad Company, that the
coupons ON said bonds up to 1853 were paid
to me at the Jefferson County Bank in Wa
tertown. THEO. PRENTlSS.
The above statement was considered sat
isfactory by a vote of the members present,
in,,so far as he Mr.. Prentiss was individually
concerned in regard 10 the missing coupons
belonging to his bonds.
Mr. VIM. Schultz explained the subject
matter in the German language
Mr.. Devy next read the following:
WHEREAS, We are informed the Supreme
Court at Madison has overruled the decision
of Judge Conger in favor of the city of Wa.
tertown, against the validity of bonds is
sued by the mayor and common council in
aid of the Watertown and Madison Railroad
on their own responsibility, without an act
of the Legislature or authority of law and
WHEREAS The above named second issue
OF bonds and ruling OF the court stand alone
without precedent or parallel in the annals
of legislation; and, whereas, eminent iurists
have decided that taxation in aid of rail
roads is illegal, unconstitut ional and rob-
berry therefore
Resolved that the Union League of the
city Of Watertown will use all Unsuitable
means to protect their property from legal
| rob bers to the same extent as they would
from thieves and highway robbers.
Unanimously adopted.
Mr.. Devy wished to say that he conside err
| ed our own press had shown some neglect
in not looking up those matters that closely
| concern the interests Of the city, while the
Portage Register has given us useful in
| formation, wing taken note of the pin
| ions of the Judges
Mr.. r. Jones wished to state that the
| assessment he alluded to last week was
| made in 1869 70 and in no way refers to
| the assessors of the present time The state
ment is as follows Assessment in 1869,
R. Jones, lot 10, block 40, cos, him $500,
| assessed $1,000" The mansion Mr.. Jones
mentioned in the 9TH ward of 6 or 8 acres
was assessed in 70 at $1,000, cost about
| $4,000
| PRIEST Moore then addressed the NEE ting
at considerable length. He referred 10
Judges Congo, Dixon, Hopkins and others,
nd the great difficulty of getting Just de
! cision on any important matter of law,
| opinions IN most cases being substituted for
decisions, which mode o. action tends to
keep cases an intermnable length of time
in the faags of the law. The Prest urged
all present to use every endeavor to carry
out the work they had begun, and prove
| that tn re are yet some men in t he CITY who
| 10 not entirely ignore the existence of truth
and justice.
The meeting then adjourned to next Sat-
urday evening, Sept. 7th, 10 be held week.
at the same time aud place at half past 7.
| Bout Hall, Main street until further notice
| w SPENr 4 Sar'v