Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1872-06-05
Bond Correspondence.
7ditOr Wdtert0aCn ReDubZicon.-

ANSSbS
OF jefferson County, at Jefferson, against
i the validity of two series of our city bonds,
! namely, $4,000, on the Milwaukee & Water
town Railroad and also against the du-
plcate or second issue of the Milwaukee &
Watertown, and Watertown & Madison
Railroads, has caused a great commotion
among some of our citizens.
1t appears there are some parties in the
city very moch inclined to have the bond
commissioners buy and exchange for new
bonds these series of bonds decided by
Judge Conger to be invalid As this case
is carried up to the Supreme Court of the
state, see no reason why any bonds should
be bought or exchanged, pending the final
decision of the court 1t has been said by
some men here, that the Federal Court will
have no respect for the decision of the Su-
preme court of the State, and for this reas-
on it is best to buy all we can.
Mr.. Editor, the Federal Courts have ex-
hausted all the power at their command
these three years past, to collect judgments
against the city, and have failed to set aside
our city charter, much less the decision of
Supreme Court of the state. There is no
court in this country, having the remotest
regard for justice, honor or decency, could
hold the city liable for the duplicates or
second issue of Watertown & Madison Rail-
road bonds, having the facts connected
with the case before them.
We have every reason to believe That the
Judges ofthe supreme court at Madison will
give us the protection Of the constitution
and laws of the state that we are so Justly
entitled to- and save US from legal robbers to
the same extent as from highway robbers.
Does it not appear strange, to say the least.
that parties living in this city, will show any
disposition to buy and exchange bonds that
are decided invalid, and at the same time
pay lawyers for litigation in the courts
We can only account for it in this way
that men will get used to anything 1t was
said in Ireland that men got used to hang
ing, and cells got used to being skinned ;
and we certainly have had sufficient prac-
tice to get used to exchanging Railroad
bonds.
On the 18th of July, 1857, cur City Faith
er8 exchanged 500, 900 city bonds with the
Milwaukee e Watertown and Watertown
and Madison Railroad company, for $780,
coo stock, and Mayor Chapel declared that
So 900 of the aforesaid stock would not buy
his dinner at the time he took it. On the
18th of December, 1857, we had another ex-
change Of 200, 900 duplicate or second issue.
For the original 200 900 or first issue. On
the Bird of June, 1872, we find the same par
ties endeavoring to induce his Honor The
Mayor TO make another exchange and give
new bonds for these duplicates and worth
less bonds that are now decided invalid. We
must come to the conclusion that ire pull
ing, engineering and practice will make
people used to anything.
If any man will tell US that the Federal
Courts will not respect the law of the State,
we can ask him how is it that the Federal
Courts with all the favor at their command
these three years past, cannot say to the
seven street commissioners you have been
doing the business of the common council
in every sense of the word and consequent
Iy must levy tax to pay judgments
We answer simply for this reas on our City
Charter says there must be eight Aldermen to
constitute quorum, and proves to a de-
monstration that the Federal Courts do
and must respect the laws of the State.
with some parties that Judge Drummond
will send the Marshal to Watertown to take
personal property to pay judgments.
Mr.. Editor, Judge Drummond will do no
such thing. He is governed by law as
cannot make laws Independent to the laws
of the State. There is no person that has
given any consideration TO how matters
has been managed in this city, but can see
at a glance that these judgments pressing
upon US are owned and controlled by parties
living here, and consequently will use all
their endeavors to have them collected.
The citizens of Watertown are a quiet in
dustrious, law-abiding people. The bond
bo1I yvi1 fin ic 70
press too hard on good nature. There is
time when torbea rance ceases to be a vir-
tue, and there is a limit to human endur-
ance. The time will come that whoever
is the cause Of bringing this outrageous debt
upon the city will have reason to tremble.
for the consequences, although they are not
living either III Missouri, Por tage, or Oconto
Watertown, June, Bird, 1872.
P DEVY.