The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-12-12
OUR COUNTY lNDEBTE DNIsS.

| have read the communication Of Hon
james T. Legate with regard to the settle
ment Of our bonded indebtedness. As
taxpayer am glad that Mr.. Legate ha
taken an interest in this ve1ed question
His sound practical Judgment and exten
sive experience in public affairs, qualitie
him to advise wisely.
Mr.. Legate mentions. though it wOull
seem without approval, the e1pedient Of re
pudiation. He seems, however, to favo
compromise-which is nything'more or lee
than qualified Republication. He suggest
compromise on basis OF 30 percent. an
in favor of compromise also; but not fol
over 80 cents on the dollar Tor all the rail
road bonds except the Cameron, and fol
them my ultimatum would be not over >:
cents That was the amount agreed upor
at the tax payers convention. last winter
excep; as TO the Cameron bonds - and
that is doubtless the utmost We are able &c
pay.
The spectators, money sharks, and foe.
grabbers, by whom these bonds are princl
pally held, and vino appear to be most in.
tent upon forcing their collection, got them
at a heavy discount and hold them without
material sacrifice. Justice and equity would
be satisfied with their payment at the rates
| have mentioned. Let US offer new bonds
at these rates. Ii they are refused, let US
stand by one another and protect our prop
erty from confscation, by fair means If pos
sible, by extreme measures If necessary.
When life and property are at stake, law
lessness itself so far from being odious, be-
comes a virtue-a heroism.
/ have heard men-sober, quiet, thought
full citizens-declare, that rather than give
up their homes, their hard earned property
TO satisfy this inc luitous tax-levy. they
will die musket in hand at their fresides
and thresholds. / believe the spirit
" ii, pr N ps such declarations is alive
and general throughout our county. Let
US organize home protection leagues in
every school district and voting precinct.
Let the extent and imminency Of the
threatenLd calamity be discussed at every
ireside.
A tax lien takes precedence Of all others
and doubtless there is enough property in
City and county TO pay this
,onded debt, even at present greatly de-
precisted valuations. But what would be
he consequence of squeezing two millions
If dollars within the next three or four
Tesrs out of the people? II would be ab-
'olutely ruinous. A very large portion,
,erhaps a majority OF the house-holders Of
his county, are carrying heavy burden
# private indebtedness-all they can well
tand under; add this enormous tax, and
Issuredly they must sink.
Let us do the best We can; Offer new
'onds, commensurate with our ability to |
'ay in gond faith, with every possible guar
MY that they shall be paid, principal and
n. crest, when due. The form OF guaranty
ugses,ed by Mr.. Lsgate would perhaps be
he best. Ii these are not accepted, nv
dice is for total unconditional repudia-
ion, with all the consedu euces threatened or
ossible which such an attitude would i'm
ly.
Messrs. Clough and Wheat want their
ound of flesh, even unto the last scruple
AIMED in the bond. They advise our bond
las,ers not to relent, even a single pennys
orth. Messrs Clough and Wheat are At
Re atrocious business for money. So the
irate levels his fatal guns a, the merchant
len freighted not only with gold but with
uman lives, for money; SO the incendiary
Is loose upon a sleeping city the deyour-
x fre-demon, for money; so the robber,
rmed for murder If needs be, shadows the
ighway or enters the unguarded chambers
sleeping families for money.
These men are of our community; for years
ley have been living and doing business
our midst they are well aware of the