The Leavenworth weekly times., 1879-07-03

ceiylng the sympathy OF the court because
W can DO no better.
see the prime ciuse OF all our trouble
In the system insugurated years SO in the
national administration, Of voting taxes
upon the people for works Of internal i'm
proyement. 1t il net to be denied that
towns, counties, Sta:es-the whole country,
10 noticeable instances have been greatly
benefited by this policy;-that their mater
isl development has been strikingly pro-
NOTED thereby; nevertheless the policy in
itself is vicious, being q. perversion Of the
functions OF government which is instituted
purely tor civil end; not for the purpose
OF carrying on enterprises of purely busi-
ness character. The policy is immensely
popular, and We overlook its abuses, and
corruption, bankruptcy, political crooked
ness and speculation which have grown
out OF il, and the deplorable condition into
which ambitious municipalities have been
plunged through its operation.
In cur dszed, one-sided view Of
It's result. Only when a community like
this has been reduced to a state of bank
ruPtcy and beggary, demanding OF the
courts leniency forbidden by equity itself,
do We pause and recognize the force of the
truth-that tampering with the absolute
right, however productive of temporary sd-
vantage, must on The whole and in the long
run result in troubl. and disaster
The complaint OF extravsgant, dishonest
! othcialIsm is grievous and general, and the
| Ingenuity Of publicists is everywhere at
work ,devising methods of reform and relief
The following paragraph, clipped from a
| New York paper, eIplainA method Of
meeting the difficulty which is being tried
| out east
Governor Robinson has signed the bill
which permits twenty FIVE free holders in
any town or incorporated village in this
State. who believe that their taxes are not
being honestly expended, to demand Of the
Supreme Court Justice for that district a
summary investigation into the financial
affairs OF their local government. The JUS
tice has the power to appoint an expert or
| experts to make the investigation, and can
Use all the authority OF his Office to enforce
his orders. One Of the best features Of the
law is the way in which the cost of these
inquiries is to be met. IL the accusations
are sustained, the delinquent officials pay
the expenses, but if the free holders have
broush ht charges which cannot be made
good, then their pockets must be made to
stand the consequences. This is practically
the law which has done such execution in
New Jersey during the past year, and the
people Of this State owe its transfer TO our
statute book to Mr.. Hamilton Fish, jr."
THE ZINES in publishing the bill for
official and extra official service brought
against our county by Mr.. Taylo lor and sub
mitted 10 the County Auditor, has done
the tax payers a service which am sure
will be generally appreciated. While it is
admitted on all hands that Mr.. Taylor is
a good lawyer, and socially genial and
worthy member OF the community, deserv.
ing well for what he has done for the peo.
pie, it must be said that his claims for
compensation in addition to the good
salary attached TO his office as County At.
torney, are outrageous and exhorbitant
The tax PAYERS Of Leavenworth county sre
not disposed to grudge our Commissioner.
and Attorney full, reasonable, recompense
for all they have done to compromise the
Indebtedness but they cannot consent to a
policy which would rob Peter to pay Paul
forcing our creditors to a compromise
and then taking the money, or good share
OF it 30 saved, to psmper officials
who in the line of duty have
been active in bringing about the compro-
mise. Why should Mr.. Taylor be allowed
$50 per diem for his services in the lobby
during the late session of the Legislature
while the pay of the members themselves
was only three dollars Can the county oi
Leavenworth sfford to pay six or seven
times az much for legislative service as
the State of Kansas with all its wealth OF
taxable resources? Twenty dollars a day.
If the people should be called to take ac,