, 1879-02-23


MILWAUKEE, Feb. 22-The taxpayers Of Mil
waukce are very properly becoming very much
alarmed at what they consider prcconcerted
raid upon the City Treasury, recently inaugu-
rated By people owning property in localities
where changes Of grade have been ordered by
the Common Council, and made in compliance
with such order. Suits looking to the recovery
Of damages arc being instituted by scores,
and the limit for them seems to be
unbouuded If the practice OF permit
ting changes OF venue to be, taken
is not prohibited. In most instances the dam
ages asked nearly equal the full value of the
property, il necessity were to compel the own
ers to dispose Of it to-day. But, judging from
the experience OF the past few months, this can
no longer bo considered an objection, as
Granger jurors, who never dispose of real
estate in smaller parcels thnn few acres at
time, and for low figures ut that, harbor an
exnlted opinion OF the fabulous value
city cit ike milwaukee,, with its 115ooo
inhabitants. Therefore, if mistakes are to be
charged against any one it must be against those
interested in the suits, because Of their not haV
ng fixed i higher ratio Of value upon the prop
erty involved. According to the present out
look, unless severe check is put upon the raid
crs, the public treasury will, ere many months
sl,coo0oo. The TACT that absolute ruin
stares the corporation in the face is
becoming so patent that it cannot be
wondered at that people are becoming fright
cncd; that wholesale dealers who have lived
mud conducted their business in our midst for
years are seriously considering the proprlety Of
pulling up stakes and removing to Chicago. and
that others, spectators, are one by one drop
ping out lrcm among us anu going West"
1t is really not matter of wonder, for the ap-
<~f fho c1ty h1ref nf
view is daily becoming worse, instead OF better.
Add TO this the absolute certainty OF an increase
Of taxation, without the promise OF at least |
corresponding increase in the volume OF bu5i- |
secret for this universal desire to dig out, to
ramo0se. |
Concerning these suits for property damages,
it may be stated. rs o matter OF history, that |
during the term Of the Hon. q. &. Ryan, at |
present Chief Justice of the State. Supreme |
Court, as City-Attorney, not q single suit OF |
the few instituted was decided against the CITY, |
In other words, the City Treasury did not suffer ]
depletion to the amount OF single doilar,
this source. But his successor, Emil
Wallbcr, opened the door for q general
raid By permitting almost the very first case
that fell into his hands to be sworn away to an
other circuit for trial. The decision was against
time out the demands aud drains have been cor-
stantly swelling. There arc those, people pro-
Tossing to be posted, who uncharilably attribute
the step taken By MIR. Wa1lber to desire to re-
pay a valuable political service rendered by the
party bringing the suit. Whether this Is really
50 or not the writer does not feel called upon
to decide. Others claim that motives OF per-
sonal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT governed in setting the
dangerous precedent, and point to what they
claim to be fact. that Mr.. Wallher, since leav-
ing the office Of City-Attorney, has personally
shared in the award OF property damage suit
brought against the municipality and won
through the threadbare trick OF 4 change Of
1euuc. The truth Of this charge also the
writer is not prepared to youchsafe. He
merely gives the scandalous gossip as it is re-
,ailel by prominent property-oWDcrs and legal
gentlemen, who have watched The acts OF Mr.. |
sEallbeE closely, and profess TO be the possess
,rs Of proofs that will bear them out in all they
ny and charge
There is now but one way to stop these ag-
and that way is to put an end to the
hange OF venue system. II this can be brought
bout, it will result in the defeat OF most Of the |
>arties now suing, and stop great many ac~
ions now in course OF preparation. As stated |
Il q previous letter, one Of these actions now
q prospect will call for the snug sum of $780,
co. and another for $4,000 or $4,000. 1t is,
udned, high time that the people rise in their
night ami crush out this system Of piracy.
THE EPISCOPALIANS.
l. telegram printed in the TRIBUNE Of las
fonday, conveying authentic intelligence of I
,nst unfortunate condition Of things in the |