The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1879-07-31
THE BOND eUE~TIoS.

THE BOND QUE~TIOS.
The interviews with a considerable num-
Der Of the most prominent gentlemen OF
Leavenworth, which have been given in the
columns of THE TINES during the past few
days, upon the all-ahsorbing question Of
the compromise of our public debt, will
give the reader very fair idea Of the in
terest felt in this subject by our citizens
1t will be observed that among all those
who have given the subject their attention,
there Is but little difference of opinion in
regard to the proper course 10 be pursued
at present, OF in the future. Various and
widely differing opinions have been ex-
pressed by many of the gentlemen con
versed with by our reporter, in relation 10
what should have been done before, on the
proper course to have been pursued in the
past, but taking the situation az it presents
itself now, the expression is quite unani-
nous that there is but one proper course TO
pursue under the circumstances, and that
is to stand firmly BY the position which the
Board has taken, and fight it out on that
line. In regard to the best manner
difference Of opinion-some gentlemen hold
that the business should be entrusted TO The
management OF financial agent, in the
East, while oihers-and the ms jOrity 81
those who have given the most thought to
the matIer-believe that there should be no
change made in tie present programme,
further than the adoption of some addi-
tionsl regulations in the matter OF paying
fees ard interest, such as was outlined 10
an article in these columns yesterday morn-
ing. This, il seems to us, is the only proper
courae, and the argument that by pursuing
such policy We shall be much longer in
getting the matter finally adjusted than if
We should employ financial agent, is
clearly failacious-as will undoubtedly ap-
pear TO any man who will give the subject
proper consideration.
The effect of appointing sgents, or using
other means to try TO induce the bond hol-
ders to sccspt our terms, must inevitably
be to retard the work instead Of facilitating
1t, for The reason ihat a. soon "a creditor
discovers that YoH are Cver-an1ious 10 set
tie with him st fifty cents on the dollar, he
begins to think that the best thing he can
do is to wait awhile, and see if you won't
make him better offer.
One OF the most experienced bankers in
the State, snd gentleman W." his large
interests IN Lesvenworth said 10 us a few
days ago
"TLis is one Of the simple # all ques-
tons. The talk about euI .iug syndi-
dictate 10 manage it, and about the i'm
mense fnsncisl ability required, is ali
bosh. The only kind Of ability required is
the ability to sit still and wait till the
holders of your bonds get ready to accept
your offer. II hold mans paper, ard
he begins 10 run after me 10 try TO COM
promise, and ssnds SCENTS to me to AK me
to settle at fifty cents or sixty cents on the
dollar, | conclude AT once that the fellow
il anxious, and that he will offer me more
If wait awhile, SO ! hold on TO his note
and refuse to entertain his propo-
sitions. But If he sends me word
that he il embarrassed, AID can't
pay more than fifty cents, and then
goes along about his business, without
seeming to care cent shout the matter,
very coon conclude that the best thing |
can do i. To hunt him up, and make the
best terms / can will him. And the case
of the county is preci ely the same; as long
as we mske all the advances, our creditors
will stand off, but if We go right along snd
psy no attention to the matter, our creditors
will very soon come to zee Us"
That covers the whole ground, and ex-
presses exactly what we have always held
in regard to this question. The only thing
to do, ~ Mr. Richards put it in his remarks
published yesterday, is TO refuse to psy.
We have stated the utmost that We are
able to psy; now let the boud-holders &C
cept the terms when they get ready, but in
the meantime let them understand that no
levy will be made to pay interest on any
old bonds after the frst of July, 1879,
though they should defer settlement for
ten years, and tina, in the settlement of
any Judgments rendered upon suits brought
sfter that date, no allowance will be made
for attorney fees-that they can get their
fifty cents on the dollar in new and good
bonds, whenever sey feel disposed to take
it, without incurrihg any expenses, and that
if they see properSo fee lswyerssor contract
any other unnec( parry expense in connec-
ton with the business, they must pay the |
bills out of their own pockets. And it
would be well, as suggested by Mr.. o. Z.
Taylor, to issue q circular setting forth
these facts, and send il to all our creditors,
for it is we'll known thst there are several
lawyers in Leavepworth whose necessities
exceed their patriotism, and who would not
hesitate to bring cults unnecessarily, if they
thought they could get fat fees thereby out
Of the county, ard such conduct being "pro
fessional," would OF course be Legitimate"
The tax payers of the county are to be
upon the fact that the
county's interests, at this important crisis
in our Affair.", are in the hands Of men they
can trust, and cur Commissioners sre 10 be
upon the fact that their good
,ommon sense has prompted them to take
he very bert course, under the circum-
tsnces, that could have been taken. The
'nly thing they have to do now il TO stand
'erfecily still in the position they have ss-
umed, and the duty Of the people is to
tAnd by fhem-let them know that we G
,ordia,iy endorse the policy they have
Idopted, and that we interd to give them
'ur be -,y support in carrying on, the {
anne pG ICY till the question is firs !,
ettied
send Them Dowa south.
IOmahs BE.
II the Chinese must 60 We would suggest {
l.