The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1877-08-24
Leavenworsh Coanty ON n

Judgements have been rendered in
the U. 8. Court for $780, 900 against
LeayenwOrth county, Kansas, and the
county commissioners, after duly con-
sidering the matter haYe disobeyed
the mandamus ordering them to make
a special tax levy to pay the judge
ments. A mass meeting of tax-pay-
ers was held Wednesday, Aug. sth, and
the following resolutions were adopt
ed:
First-We know that the bonds were
obtained from US by fraud, bribery
and corruption; that the parties OBJ
tanning them acted fraudulently deceit
fully and dishonesty that they never
kept their contracts, by which they
obtained them; heartlessly violated
every obligation upon which they got
them and used them-not to promote
our inter est, but used them to build up
railroads, rival cities and rival interests
around us, and thereby ruined our
business, destroyed the value OF our
property, and virtually beggared US.
and rendered US, by their own acts,
not ours, unable to pay the interest
and principal OF the bonds and detts.
Second-The laws under which they
were issued are, we believe, unconstl-
tutiOnal, the bonds themselves illegal,
and In our Judgment, should be adj
judged void.
Third-That we view, with alarm,
the monstrous doctrine held by the
Courts: That, no matter how illegal
the issue of the bOnds-no matter how
fraudulently, dishonesty, or illegally
these bonds may have been obtained,
provided they are by the legal au-
thOrfties of the county or city, that,
so soon as they passed into the hands
of third party, though he may be
the arch swindler of the conspiracy,
the Court pleases to term him an in
uocent party or holder, and all uncon-
stitutionality, or illegality, fraud and
dishonesty, disappears, and they at
once become legally, equItably and
honestly binding upon all the tax
payers of the city or county though not
one In a thousand of them may have
participated in, or in any way been
parties to the villainous transac-
lions that have resulted SO DISASTROUS
ly to US.
Fourth-When we reflect that all
law the world over is based upon the
broad principles of ssProtection of the
guilty. such rulings OF the Courts
shock all common sense, outrages
every principle of reason and Justice,
and open q highway for swindlers,
robbers and thieves.
Fifth-ResOlVed, That we firmly
believe that this debt is not binding
upon us, either morally, honestly,
legally or equitably, yet, for the
peace, good order, safety and security
of society, and to avoid anarchy, con-
| fusion and danger that always attends
resistance of authority, however
tyrannical, illegal and unjust II
may be, we propose to the bond
holders, and all parties having claims
against the city and county, depending
upon taxation for liquidation, that il
they will reduce their demani is to not
over thirty per cent. of the face there
of, dropping accsned interest and
costs, and take thirty year bonds with
Ia per cent. interest, we will advise
our County Attorney and COuCny
| Commissioners to make such a settle
ment, and, in case such a settlement
is made, we pledge ourselves and al
chat we are worth to promptly pay
the necessary taxes to make good and
carry out such settlement in good
faith. This we do most solemnly be.
leive is all that we are able to do.
| Sixth-And in case we are not met
in just spirit of liberality by the
holders OF these unjust and infamous
claims against the city and county OF
| Leavenworth, we do most sOlemnly
pledge ourselves to our city and cOun-
ty officers, to each and all of ourselves
to resist to the last degree the levying
of tax to pay such debts to the col
lection of the taxes it ever levied
through all the courts and by all the
means within our reach, and, in case
our property should be offered for sale
| to pay said taxes, we do most sacredly
pledge ourselves to every individual
in the city and county to stand by him
or her, and to by all means within oul
reach resist, obstruct and at all haz
ards prevent the sale of property o
any and every kind, and everywhere
In the county.
hesolved. We made these declare.
lions, expressed these opinions anG
entered into these solemn pledges tx
each other for mutual protection and
safety, in no idle or Boosting or deffan
spirit, but from our honest conviction!
as to what the lamentable, unfortu-
nate and desperate condition of ouI
situation and circumstances impera-
lively demands and nothing less than
an unwaVering fiedlity to every Obliga
ton expressed or implied promises
any relief; but with good faith, firm
steadfast and immovable adherence to
all the obligations here assumed, we
feel well assured that We are safe, very
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