The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1874-10-01
County Aid--The Relief Bills.

The legislature passed two relief bill at IFS
late extra session. One of them provides Tor
the issue by the state OF seyenty-three thous-
and dollars in state bonds, to be sold at not
less than ninety-iiye cents on the dollar, TO be
used in purchasing the bonds OF certain coun-
ties that are unable to provide otherwise Tor
| their own destitute citizens. The counties
| thus provided for, are named in the law, ana
are counties lately organized, the settlers OF
which have IL ot raised any crops, and the BONDS
| of which counties would not sell in eastern
| markets.
The other is a general. law, which provides
that any county in the state shall be authoriz-
ed to vote bonds for the specific purpose oil
relieving its destitute citizens; the limit TO be
one half OF one per cent OF the assessed 'aua-
ton of property in such county; under this
act no bonds can be issued without first bein.
voted upon by the people and gaining two
thirds vote in yayor of the bonds Sedgwick
county will come under the provisions OF the
latter law, which law is very carefully guarded
and no officer is allowed any compensation
for carrying out its provisions, and Tor the
violation OF its provision, under oath, is made
misdemeanor. punishable with fine and I'M
prisonment in the penitentiary. Under this
law, Sedgwick county viii be entitled to about
eight thousand dollars in bonds, for relief pCr-
poses. providing the proper petition is pre-
sented TO the county board, and providing
two-thirds Of those voting are in favor OF the
/ bonds.
The county board met last Monday in con-
junction with the township trustees for the
purpose of hearing reports, comparing notes
and preparing for the wiscst action. 1t seems
that already parties little in need OF aid, in
fact, parties abundantly able to help them
selves, had, upon application, received pro-
vision consisting not only OF necessities. but
! luXuries: such parties will have to make their
draw good to the county. or they will find
trouble. That no further relicfbe extended
! by the trustees except TO such a. secured II a,
/ paupers from the proper fund through the
4 oyerseer of the poor. They also recommends
| ed TO the trustees present that they, without
expense TO the county, circulate petitions III
| their respective townships, asking tor sub
mission of the question of relief bonds to the
voters Of the county, at the next genera cleo
]
| ton. under the provisions Of the late law
! Fortunately. for these times, the commission
ers, heretofore made a levy of four thousand
dollars rs .'poor fund" This, in connec-
ton with the amount allowed to be voted I'M
der the enabling acr, it is hoped viii prove
sufficient TO pull through with, although under
the tax law of last winter much smaller per
centum of the taxes will be paid up in Decem
Der, than ha, been paid up 10 that time here
tofore The petitions Will be in by neX'
Monday. at which time the commissioner
will issue their proclamation for the vote.
A. will be seen by the statement made o.
the provisions Of the enabling acts, the legis
lature would agree to nothing that looked
! like direct appropriation of the state funds
nor vet allow commissioners to issue even 4
limited amount of bonds, without first gaining
the sanction of the people. The represents
tiycs from the eastern portion of the state act
Ell a. though they We're afraid TO trust The
people of the west with their own money and
when direct aid was asked by some of Us iron
| the wcs,-stIch mcm5ers held up their h1nd'
in holy horror, ard Indignantly asked Us il We
wanted them to violate their oaths and the
| constitution. forgetting the times without
number. that the charitable and other instltu
| ton, in the eastern part OF the state had been
voted the peoples money.without tie color o
law or even prctense that it was constltu
: tional. Bat in this Instance il was somebody
/ elscs OK that was being horned. Better, "a!
we violate Il dozen official oaths and wadt
square through the constitution II necessary
| to save one single life. Constitutions and of
! fetal oaths were made for the people and by
, the people, and.not the people for the consti
tutions. When it comes to relieving from
| starvation innocent children and helpless wo
men; when il comes TO hearing ones Owl
flesh aud blood cry for bread, when there i
no bread to give, then none bat fsh-bloodeC
brute would hesitate over an official oath i
by ignoring il he could afford relief. From
a strictly financial and constitutional point Tn,
legislature no doubt acted wisely, and for III,
| best interests Of the state n a whole. but from
a moral compassionate, or charitable pom
! their action was cold, Sc fish. heathenish.