The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1872-10-25
Woodson Again.

The lameness of Woodson's apology
for his dis graceful connection win
the buchanan county bond fraud Is
made conspicuous by the commune
cation of our correspondent, "Duciian-
an" which appeared in Yesterdays
Democrat. The issues of the cOntro-
versv are plainly stated, and Judge
Wo0dson's attitude as chief instiga-
tor in a villainous fraud is clearly re-
veaIed. 1t now appears that the
whole transaction, from the maugur-
alton of the scheme to its final c0n-
sumatiOn. was a tissue OF frauds we
restate the facts in brief:
The railroad company wished II
taxpayers of buchanan county to aid
i'm the construction of the road by the
issue of 100000 bonds, payable IN
twenty years with interest. The law
required a two-thirds majority of the
voters at a special election to author
ize the issue. The law, as decided by
the Supreme Court, required a regis
try of voters, with a view to the cleo
ton. No registration was made II
an election was held in violation OF
law. at which hundreds of imported
voters were allowed to east their bal
lots. The ~illegality and frauds Of the
election were all known. BY the
terms of the arrangement under
which the vote was taken, 10 part OF
the 800. 900 could be issued Ill the
form of bonds until 8 miles of the road
i'm buchanan county should be COM
Melted, when $4,000 of bonds were to
he issued. After that. $4,000 werc
10 be issued for. each five miles as
rapidly rs it should he finished. II Is
barely possible that il the terms OF
this arrangement had been complied
with, no complaint would have been
made. hut it soon leaked out that a
scheme was on foot 10 induce the
County Court TO issue :hc bonds pre-
maturely, and TO prevent this, ar
ran1ements were perfected tor scrv-
ing an Injunction OH the members OF
the court to restrain them from their
meditatrd violation oft law. The
Judges hcsitaird. but the railroad
ccmpanv was imporiunaie. and final
~ decided to hire Judge WOOdson 10
induce the court 10 violate the law.
TO break the official oath its members
had taken, and TO defrand the tax
PAYERS of Buchanan count! out OF
nearly. if not quite, one million dol
lars of their hard earnings.
Woolson accepted the employment.
agreeing to take $4,000 of the fruits
of the robbery for his compensation
| Fearing the injunction, Woodson in
diced the court. by means not dis
| closed. to issue the bonds, and thus
| place Il mortgage on the property OF
| the taxpayers for S!oo.0W, running
twenty wears. with interest. lie also
induced the court to postpone the Sc
| curitv the county was TO receive, &c
a prior mortgage on the road. suili'
| cient in amount 10 bankrupt the rom
| Danv and render The county securit.
worthless. The whole affair stamps
| Woodson as a thoroughly dishonest
man.
See what a burden this rascalii.
has fastened upon ill' taxpayers o
Buchanan county! The bonds rui
twenty year.. and draw Interest a
| the rate OF Ten per cent. The ln'er
est for one year i S't.oD, and u
twenty wears 3sJ).Hl'. making prIii
| cipal and interest together $l..Vn.uo'
as The cost of this >vund'ci Ia tie tax
pavcr.. These are ihe plain fnci
with their inevitabi" results. aurl !e
Tie man who WIS chiefly INSTRUMENT
al in c,acocilag and CARRYING o'it Ia
yillainouS sclr.inc j. the arcci'lr'
standard hrairr OF q party clamori'.
Cor reform Democrat.