Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1878-06-22
THOSE BOGUS BONDS.
4 Defense of the People Against tho
Bond Brokers' Whose Organ
is the Globe.DemoCrat.

EDITOR OF THE TINES Il was not
member OF the recent convention OF dele
gates from counties engaged in or mem
aced with litigation with traudulently
issued bonds; but, being in Mexico upon
private business during the concluding
hours of the session of said convention,
was invited as the counsel of certain
counties reresented to address the con-
vention in explanation OF legal issues
in which my clients, i'll common with
other counties. were interested. Having
mingled freely with the remarkably in
telligent and influential gentlemen con-
stituting said body, and learned their
views Individually as well as through Off
cial declarations, l deem it due to them
to protest against the indiscriminate and
uniustitiable attack made upon them
and their sympathlzers through
the telegraphc and editorial col
umns of the Globe Democrat.
That among so many untortun-
ate gentlemen. overwhelmed with the
gloomy apprehension that the home
which sheltered their wives and child
ren may be virtually confiscated in sat-
sfaction of bonded debts (about tho
creation of which by their pretended
agents they first learned in amaiority of
instances, through the tax gatherer),
there may have been a few harsh utter
ances. is not improbable; but i'll retuta-
ton of the intimation that any consider
able number indorsed such uttcrances.
state that the convention not only
earnestly applauded my suggestion
that in the dark hour of the republic
the supremacy of the law should be
hailed by every good citizen rs the best
safeguard of tree people," but unani-
mously incorporated the sentiments in
the preambles III their resolutions.
The general public in st. Louis have
been ignorant of the cruel wrongs i'll
tiicted upon citizens of interior counties
of this state. In 4 majority of instan-
ces they have been prccluded from eX-
posing such facts before the courts, be-
cause they could not, without enormous
expense, show atfirmatively, as is re-
quired, that the bondholders bought
with actual notice thereof. 1t is now be-
lievcd that over twelve millions OF these
fraudulent bonds are held by ring of
powerful and unscrupulous citizens of
Missouri, who took them with actual
notice of the frauds, which deprive them
OF all moral obligations.
The arrogance of this gigantic ring,
who are said to boast that they can buy,
rs occasion may require, every news
paper, court and jury in the country, and
thus crush any community or individual
who dares confront them, renders
of especial Importance, the proposed
coalition of counties defending bond
suits. If, by corrupt appliances or in
cessant lying the tifty-six counties Of
Missouri which they have conspired to
crush in detail. could be prevented from
making. through their respective COM
mttees and attorneys, common cause
against these heartless men, believe
the peace and credit OF Missouri would
really be jeopardized, If the defaulting
counties unite heartily in the spirit
shown at Mexico, l believe that the
S1S 900. 900 of dishonesty issued bonds.
which are held by really innocent pur-
chasers, may soon be compromised upon
reasonable terms, without waiting for
decisions of last resort.
The lawful and Just detenses of tax
payers do not necessarily end, as in an
individual case, with judgment upon the
bonds. IT, through a proper interpre-
tation of laws existing when bonds are
issued, judgment creditor can be pre-
vented from enforcing the same against
at this application, by his victims. OF the
identical principle which alone secures
him Judgment against the county upon
an irregular bond. That the represen-
tatlves of hundreds of thousands OF the
best citizens of Missouri cannot meet
in council for the clearly expressed pur-
pose of obtaining concert OF action and
a consequent dimnution in the enormous
expense necessary in such honorable,
aw-abiding appeals to the courts tor re-
lief against claims which are alleged to
be unjust, and which certainly have not
been adjudicated, without being gratu-
itously insulted by columns ofunmerited.
Incorporate and offensive epithets, gar
nishing the entirely disinterested (?)
opinions of FIVE or six brokers. is an
outrage upon the true interests of q
proud state wherein it Is to be hoped that
neither widespread corruption, nor q
carefully cultivated, cowardly longing
for 1.-The man on horseback" have en-
tirely destroyed that love of fair play
which was once supposed to character
ize every American citizen.
l HENRY A, CUNNINGHAM,