The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1874-11-19
For ihe EAGLE
Relief Bonds.

Relief Bonds.
Cow~KIS. Nov. 9TH, Is.t. (
EDITOR EAGLE:-l find an article !
in YOUR last Issue under the above |
heading wherein you express regret at
the defeat of said bonds. And in the
same article you rejoice at gaining for
the bonds popular majority of all the
votes cast. am truly glad that your
cause is not SO deplorable, but what
YOU and all Others favoring the issue
ofthe bonds, may have good reason TO
rejoice. We too who, opposed tie
bonds, will rejoice with you. But
however honest and earnest in advo-
eating this measure, we beg leave to
differ with the EAGLE. Not that we
are opposed to furnishing relief to
those who are .'honest and in absolute
want Of the necessaries of life" This
we are. emphatically in favor Of But
to feed and cloth set of scoundrels
who are a curse 10 our country, and
who are able TO take care of them
selves. We are empha.ically opposed
to being taxed to death for any such
purpose. But the manner in which
they shall obtain this relief is the i'm
portant question. The EAGLE advo-
Gates the issue of s.. 900 ten year bonds,
out of the proceeds Of which we can
supply the wants of the needy. These
bonds Of 800 TO $500 each to be sold
for ninety cents on the dollar in New
York Who does ibis benefit Eas-
tern capitalists who are already veal
thy, and nade so by depressing the
poor of the west Z: But, by this plan
advocated by the EAGLE. the issue of
IS. 900 ten year bonds with interest
payable semi-annually, and all contin
gent expenses added, means at the ex-
pratiOn of ten years about $50, 900.
Well, you ask, how do You propose to
better this plan? Twill tell you: issue
orders 10 those absolutely in want, af-
ter positive proof is furnished of their
destitute condition. Let the farmers
and tax-pavs generally have the benc-
fit of these orders at what ever price
they can buy them, and pass the same
over to the county Treasurer in liqul-
dation of their county taxes, or let
each grange, church or other organ
cation combine and take up county
orders to the amount of their county
taxes. In this way ever dollar of coun-
tv orders issued bv our commissioners
will be kept at home-will satisfy the
wants of the destitute, will pay our
county indebtedness dollar for dollar.
Who will lose anything by this opera
ton? No one. If the taxpayers buys
the oders at fifty cents on the dollar,
and pays his taxes with them dollar
for dollar, all are equal, for all are tax
payers. In other words, what by the
Relief Bond plan would have cost us
$4,000, by this plan serves the same
purpose, aud costs only $4,000, pays
our county taxes, and is all settled in
one or two years at most. And if
there is any speculation in this the tax
payers of our county enjoys his share
of it, in proportion to the amount Of
tax he pays.
Look, if you please at the report of
our county Commissioners for the
month Of September Under the Relief
Bond plan, it cost the county 5000 dol
lars. Then look at the report for the
mouth of October, under the improv-
ed plan; only $50, or, one tenth what il
cost in September. The former plan
costing us 81 200 per year, and the lat
ter only S720 per year. What causes
this wide difference : many will ask.
Our commissioners could answer If |
they would. If all who make applica-
ton for help were honest. this differ |
encc would not exist. But many who |
claimed to be needy under the Sep
TENDER plan belonged to the class that
is always needy, and always will be so |
long as the state, county or individu-
ais will aid them. The facts are sim
ply and plainly these. We are all des-
titutc of many things that we have |
been accustomed too, and would like |
to have. But so long as we have |
bread, meat aud water, shame on any |
stout hearty man who will suffer his
neighbor to be taxed, to furnish him
nic-nacks and fine clothes: and shame |
on any official who will allow any such
order to be given.
Now, Mr.. Editor, | am well aware
Of the fact that many OF the citizens of |
our county will denounce me for adj
vocating this policy, but | have this to
say in justification of it: | believe it
right, under the circumstances. for we
are driven to the adoption oft by i'm
posters. 1t appears to be impossible
to make law or rule in this case, by
which the honest poor man can be BEN
Gifted, without impostors and scoun-
drcls taking advantage of it, and to
guard against this we are compelled to
ito what we otherwise would not.
While will do all that can do with
the scanty means | possess, to keep
the needy from suffering, | will also
lend hand at any time to expose the
and dead beats, who will
attempt to impose upon us.