The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1874-08-06
OUR RAILROAD INTERESTS.

The time during which legal action can
be taken to protect our INTEREST," in the case
of the Atchison and Northwestern railroad
expires this month, and vet nothing has been
done, on the part of the city. The County
Commissioners have ordered suit to be COM
menced on the part of the county, and the
Attorney seems to be going ahead with the
intention Of making bona fdc prosecution,
but SO far as the city is concerned, every
thing that has been done has been mere
sham 1t is very evident to everybody that
the present council is completely in the hands
OF the railroad ring-the corrupt and un-
scr,Ipulous cormorants who have for years
sucked the life blood out of Leavenworth
and all her interests. When Mayor Aber
nathy nominated for City Attorney, Mr.. J.
w. English, one of the ablest lawyers in the
State, his nomination was rejected at the
command OF the ring, by a vote of more than
two to one, because it was known that he
was in favor of compelling railroads to live
up to their contracts, and would prosecute
the suits against delinquent companies IN
ea,neSt. But when the name of man who
was acceptable TO the ring was presented, he
was confirmed Immediately, and then they
permitted the Council tc make show OF
doing something in the interests Of the pub
lie, and directed the passage OF resolution
instructing the City Attorney to commence
suit. But at the time this resolution was
passed il was well known to the railroad
ring, and well known to the rings members
Of the council that no further action in the
premises would ever be had this iajabund-
an;ly proved by the fact that nothing has
been done. and the other fact that the coun-
Gil, under the control OF the ring, steadily
refused 10 confirm as city attorney, any man
capable Of doing anything or willing to do
anything.
We call attention TO these facts now, not
in the hope that il will do any good, or
cause any action TO he taken by the city, but
10 let the people know why nothing is being
done IN a case wherein the most vital inter
ests of the city are at stake, and to place the
responsibility where it belongs. The way Is
open TO us to secure our rights; all the de-
eisions in similar cases have been on the
side Of the people, and all that We have to
do 10 secure Justice is to make the effort /;
only few days now remain in which We
can sue; after that We have no case, and yet
the custodians of the peoples interests daily
along, killing time, and putting of action
until il shall be too late.
There is no sense or reason IN mIncmg
words about this matter; the case Is too
plain to admit of any doubt; the city coun-
ell and CITY attorney are the tools Of the
railroad ring, and the same arguments have
been used upon them that have been used
by the same ring to put through every steal
that they have devised in the last ten years.
Although nothing stands in the way OF our
success in the premises, it is useless and idle
for the taxpayers of the city to expect or
hope for any action, but We want the people
TO know where the fault lies, and to under
stand through what influences the most vital
interests Of the city are being sacrificed. We
do not believe that anything Will be done in
the few days that yet remain in which &C
ton can be taken, and the reason why
nothing will be done is that members of the
council have been bought and paid for, by
the ring, to prevent action.
The way out Of our present railroad diff
culties is so plain, that if the city allows the
time to pass, without taking advantage OF
the remedy which the law places in our
hands, the public mind will rest in the be-
lief that every man who shares the RESPONSE
bility for the delay, has been influenced by
corrupt motives otherwise, the money OF
the ring-and the circumstances fully way
rant such conclusion.