, 1876-02-20

new charter directly repealed everything IN
the old charter which was repealed by tne
adoption of the new one in April, 1915. Ine
constitutional prohibition was re-enacted IN
the new city charter, and IS final and con-
elusive against the authority OF the city 10
borrow one dollar of money SO long as the
existing city debt exceeds per centum OF
tbe assessed value of the taxable property
within the city.
The excellent and upright gentlemen who
stuffed the ballot-boxes, or paid for having
them stuffed in April last with money and
Offices, to force the new charter upon the
people, can now congratulate themselves
upon having rendered the issue of any Ger
tidcatc of indebtedness since May, 1875, lle-
gal and yoid.
The City of Chicago has Law Depart
ment, which, judging by its cost, is well
learned in the law. The Comptroller is also
lawyer, and the Mnyo- was so thoroughly
con7iuced TINT the new charter had sponged
out the old ono that he did not hesitate to
take the chances Of treating Judicial process
with contempt. We hava before us city
certificate, dated as late as Jan. q, 1876,
signed by the Mayor, Comptroller, and City
Clerk, which recites:
This loan having been authorized by sec- rs Of
amendments to the city charter, approved Feb. IL.
1865 and by Sec. Of an Ect Of the General Assembly
Of the State Of Illinois, amending tho city chartar,
approved april 70, 1sc9.
Can it be possible that the city authorities
do not know that these sections Of the lnws
Of 1865 end Of 1869 have been utterly re-
pealed, and are no more in force in Chicago
at this time than if they had never been en-
acted? The sale or issue of any certificates
with such recital on their face is unfortu-
nate, because the recital is unquessionably
false. The present charter expressly states
81 the provisions Of this act shall be npphca-
BILE to such cities and villages, and all laws in
conflict Herewith shall no longer be applica-
ble." The old charter says the city may bor-
row money for temporary purposes; the new
charter declares that the city shall not create
!" 4 debt of any kind for any purpose !" and it
can hardly be claimed TINT these two PROPOSE
tions are consistent with each other.
| It should be understood by persons and
corporations who hold any Of these certifi-
Gates Of the city TINT, while their iuegality
! must be conceded, there is no purpose or in
| tention on the part Of the city or its people
| to repudiate or erade the payment of my
part of the debt. Taxes have been 1cTied
for tho debts represented by these ccrtii-
| Gates, and as these taxes are collected the
! certificates will be peid. There ore outstand~
| ing, due, and uncol1ected taxes, applicable to
! the redemption of these certificates, in excess
| Of the amount thereof.
The illegality Of these certificates being
now hardly an open question, they reciting
| that they are issued under laws which have
| notoriously been repealed, their further issue
| ought to cease Tho Common Council must
see the importance Of an Immediate contrac-
| ton Of expenditure, as the expenditures OF
tile city can only be paid in cash, and can nc
| longer be satisfied with certificates. The
Council might now repeal many of The unex'
pended appropriations Of last year, end thus
economize nearly million Of dollars. AL
| contracts for future expenditure must cease
until taxes can be levied and collected The
further issue Of Illegal paper can only serve
to complcGte matters and add to the existing
| embarrassment