Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1872-12-04
WatertOwn Union League.

Regular meeting Nov I'd. Roll called by
Secretary Dervin; minutes of preceding
meeting read and approved many new
members were admitted and dues collected
The reports of re wards were given in most
satisfactorily.
Pres't Moore read from the Chicago Daily
Tribune, of Nov. 18th, the following article
headed ar. R. Aid in Michigan"
sit will be remembered that in 1870 the
Supreme Court OF the State of Michigan, de-
| cided That the Legislature had no power to
grant public aid to railroad corporations,
and had no power to authorize the people
of cities, towns, and counties to vote dona-
| tons or subscriptions in aid of railroad cor
| pora tons. AT the time of this decision
| there We're three classes of cases: |. Where
| the municipalities had been authorized to
/ vote such aid but had not yet acted 2,
| Where the vote had been taken. but the
| bopds had not been issued; 3, Where the
| bonds had been issued, in whole or in part,
and had been delivered to the railroad or
| porations. The decision applied equally in
| all'cases.
Under these circumstances special sc g.
sion eff the Legislature was convened, an
that body submitted to the people three
amendments 10 the State Constitution /
Embodying the Illinois provision, prohibi.
ting any such aid being gwen by munich
palties to railroad or other corporations !;
| 2, Authorizing tie issue of bonds already
voted, but not issued; and 3, Authorizing
| towns, ETC., who had issued bonds to legal
lie the same by affirmative votes of the peo-
| ple. At the election held in November,
1870, the people of the State adopted the
| first of these amendments and rejected the
others. A the late election in that state
the question was again submitted in the
form OF con stitutlOnal amendment, au thor
lZlhg all those towns, COUNT IS, and cities
that had issued and delivered bonds to lie.
galze them by an affirmative vote The
returns OF the vote show that this amend
mendment has again been rejected this time
by not less than 5000 majority. So that
question may be considered as settled in
Mlchigan-first by the decision of the SUI
preme Court, and secondly by the twice de-
cared votes of the people of the state. The
amount of bonds actually outstanding is
about 81, 50O,e 600"
After a careful perusal of the above it will
plainly appear that the voice of the people
is the governng power in such matters in
the State of Michigan. Ifsuch is the decis-
ion of the Supreme Court there, how can we
rest satisfied with the decisions of our own
court. The President advised that petit
ton be drawn up and presented to the Leg
islature OF our State, signed by the citizens
OF Watertown and other cities and towns
whose case with regard to railway bonds is
similar TO our own, to respectfully demand
of the Supreme Court of this state the pro-
lection our constitution guarantees to all.
AT our next meeting the above proposition
will be taken into serious consideration
Mr.. Lembkie explained the above in Ger
man.
The Prest. called for the report of the
committee appointed last week. The fol-
lowing was presented and read by the
Pres't: "The committee appointed to wait
on his Honor the Mayor and also on the
President Of the Council to ask them to re-
sign the above offices would respectfully re-
port that Mr.. F. KGsel Mayor received us
pleasantly and SAID he had one meeting to
hold to al. ow accounts that were called for
That he would take our request into advise
meut and that lie was ready at all times to
do whatever would promote the interests
of the city. Your committee would further
report that We went to the office of J. T.
Moak, Postmaster, that his conduct on that
occasion towards your committee was any
thing but that of gentleman. He told US
he did not want to hear one word from us,
that he knew our business-that we came
there to ask him to resigu-that he would
do no such d-n thing, and ordered your
committee out OF his Office. A. w. Carlin
replied, You must take tie responsibility
He said he would he did not want US to
riola of
DO further report that through the interview
ton Of Divine Providence we all escaped
with "a wLele skin. The following resolution
is offered:
WHEREAS, J. T. Moak has obstinately
refused to resign the office Oh President Of
the Council, and
WHEREAS, in the opinion of the League
t he interests of the city require it, therefore
RESOLVED, That he has merted the censure
of the League and is unworthy the conf
dence and respect of our citizens. Uuani-
mously adopted.
A. ". CARLIN, P. DEvY, c. +. KnEBBs,
Committee.
Mr.. G. F. Krebbs spoke with considerable
warmth of the treatment received by the
committee from J T. Moak. The state
ment above he considered 100 mild, as moth
ing could exceed the coarse vulgarity of his
manner Mr. Krebbs also explained the
above in German.
Mr.. Geo. McMillen moved the following
Resolved, That we, the members OF the
Union League, express our gratitude for the
courteous reception our committee met at
the hands of the Mayor, Mr.. F. Kusel, also
TO know that he is in harmony with all
matters that are of benefit 10 the city.
Unanimously adopted.
The Executive committee offered the TO.
lowing:
ResoLUed, That the thanks of the mem
bers Of the Union League is hereby rendered
10 our friend, Mr. George Bolts, for past
kindness in giving the League the use of
his ball and other acts for which he will be
remembered by all of US iraternaly. IMAM
imously adopted
Mr. Griffith made some good and sound
remarks on the great benefit derived from
organizations based on right principles
what is impossible to few is practicable to
the many. Unity is strength" and what
good may not be achieved by the people
Of this country, where every man has vote,
aud, if he is educated, now to use that pow
er. Now an organization, such as our
own, is simply school of enquiry i1to
those matters that are Of the deepest inter
est to all intelligent men of the present age,
and if such institutions were established all
over the country, there could not exist the
present system of public abuse The cum
ming and crafty men in power have no
trouble in deluding the ignorant.
The Pres't after making a few observa-
tons on the business of the evening ad-
journed the meeting to next Saturday even
ing, Dec. 7. IL past 6 o'clock, Woodland &
Hull Hall, Main st.
W. SPENCE, Secy.