Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-01-31
A Blow at WatertOWn.


Local Laws of 1876 the same being an act
TO provide for the payment of the interest on
the compromise bonds issued by this city
in exchange for its railroad bonds. The law
of IS spoken of makes it the duty ftha City
Clerk to ascertain the amount required for
the annual payment thereofand insert the
same each year in the tax roll and it fur
ther provides that in default of his so doing
the Treasurer shall reserve out of any
moneys which may come into his hands sum
sufficient to pay the interest and so niue b
of the principal as may have become due.
1t also imposes penalty upon the Clerk
and Treasurer for their refusal or neglect to
comply with the terms of the law. These
are the main provisions of the act which
Mr.. Finn now proposes to have repealed.
1t means reputation of the compromise
bonds which the city issued in good faith
ana solempiy obligated itself to pay in full,
principal and inte1es at maturity; and
slx-fiteenths of which have already been
paid by the city. We regard it as exceed
ingly unfortunate for the good name and
reputation of the city that legislation Of this
character should be proposed. 1t is the
natural outcome however, of the result OF
last falls election, and was to have been
expected. Mr.. Finn could not istently,
40 the leader of the Union League organiza-
ton, do less than favor the scheme which
he has proposed, and no sane man can be at
all surprised that he has attacked the law
which was 80 strongly opposed by the
League at the time of its passage His
views upon this matter were perfectly we'll
understood, and it was known that upon all
questions which have heretofore divided the
be found upon the side of the Leagu.
and against everybody opposed. With
these facts staring them in the
face the Democrats in their conven-
ton nominated Mr. Finn for the Assembly,
ana by implication at least endorsed him
and his sentiments as regards the city debt.
His views, therefore, must be accepted and
considered as an expression of Democratic
ideas upon the subject, and with that party
behind him the conclusion is irresistible
that large majority OF our citizens are
favorable to the plan of reputation which
has for years been advocated by Mr.. Finn.
He brought the Democratic party implor-
ingly at his feet last fall, and commanded
Its support in consideration of the votes
which he could control for Harlow Orion
and other candidates upon the Democratic
Democratic managers sold out the city and
were led captive into the Union League
camp. While not in favor of the bill which
Mr., Finn has proposed as an an original
proposition. we hope no Republican will
lf finger to oppose or defeat it. Let the
b II pass if it can, and put the responsibility
where irbelongs, to-wit, upon the Demo:
cratic party. The sooner the city is brought
face to face with the bond holders the bet
ter, and it is only question of time as to
when this shall be. So long as the Demo
cratic managers act upon the theory that
the interests of the city must be subordi-
mated to those of their party, there can be
no remedy found for the existing troubles,
and finally the strong arm of the law will
reach out and crush US. We presume Dem
ocrats will hail that day with delight.
Their motto seems to be 'let judgments be
piled up, let mandamuses come, let taxes
multiply, let Watertown sink if need be.
but save the Democratic party" With
such sentiments pervading the heart and
mind of that party what hope can there be
for Watertown? With its 100 votes here
the Democratic party can and does control
the city elections, and hence is responsible
for the management of our local affairs
When that party shall see fit to act for tn e
6est interests Of the city without regard to
political considerations, then brighter era
may be looked for in our history. But so
long as the welfare Of the city must be lost
sight of to the end that the Democratic
party may become stronger, regardless of
the effect it may have upon the community
as whole. there need be no hope for
greater prosperity or a 1iddance of the evils
under which the city is now grooming.
The fate Of the city is in Democratic hands
our representatives at Madison are Demo-
Gratis, ano the question as to whether the
city shall finally be ruined or saved rests
entirely with Democrats. This is their
funeral, and it is eminently proper that they
should conduct the seqnies in such man
ner as they may see fit.
Earth Closets.
Mr.. John B. May has taken the agency
| for the Wakefield Earth Closet COMPANY