Mexico weekly ledger., 1881-02-17

on railroads will always
yield a good return. Each and every
should feel proud OF our coun-
ty ; herald the news abroad let it be
that we have the best of soil !:
the best of citizens; the best of eli
mate ; the best of railroad facilities;
the best of school advantages; tie
best of credit, and out Of debt. Hang
the banner on the outer wall and
carry the news to Mary.
william johnson.
Our readers will remember that
recently we published a letter from
Johnson, now in our Jail, brought
here from Pike county. The Bow
hing Green Times says of him:
The letter published in the Mexico
Ledger was an able production from
the pen of VIM. johnson, the cattle
thief, and would do honor to Eli
Perkins in regard to the number of
falsehoods. We do not want to pref
udice anybody against him, but will
Just say that a man who will drive his
neighbours cow to market and sell her
is not expected to be very truthful.
His report of his treatment in Jail at
this place is without foundation,
while bis statement about his break
ing jail to escape the treatment is
l%aughable. Why didn't he tell the
whole story about his taking Mary
Douglass, the colored woman now
(as then) confined in Jail for the MUIR
der of her two step children, with him
when he escaped and keeping her as
his wife! Why did't he tell about
his locating at Alton, ILL.,, and going
into the wholesale cattle and sheep
stealing business after his escape ;
and how, when deputy Sheriff Mum
roe was getting ready to bring him
and his concublne wife back after
their capture at Alton, he was recog-
nized as the man who had just de-
livered several stolen cattle and had
made arrangements to deliver a flock
of fifteen sheep as soon they could
be stolen. When the Pike county
authorities get through with him, H.
linois will doubtelcss put in her claim
AS to his being in Jail at this place &c
years ago, We only have it upon the
authority of several good citizens.
who state that he vas a very young
man at the time. The item referred
10 was taken from the P.-O., but We
also published a similar statement al
the time. But we will await the &C
ton of the court on his case and Sc,
he proves himself innocent.
The Profit of Debt Paying.
In its frequent references to ant
comments on the railroad debts o
counties in this state, the Republican
has uniformly held that, ever whel
these debts were irregularly contrac
ted, it would be cheaper and better il
the end to pay them than to litiga,'
them; that litigation, besides lnvol
wing large costs, would heap up ar
rearages of interest. and, worst of all
harass the people with constant fight
ing, keep the counties misfortune
continually before The public, and re
: pei immigrants who, but for thes
misfortunes, might be attracted by tn
counties cheap rich lands and 9TH
agricultural advantages; and it ha
therefore counselled the people t
make the best terms they could wit
their creditors, and then set resolute
ly to work to pay the obligations. TIL
correctness of these views IS striking
ly exhibited in the case of Audrai
county, which has just discharged til
last shred Of Its railroad debt, and j
now free, with $1,000 in its treasu
ry.
The original bonded debt of tn
county was $500, 900, incurred in ali
of the Louisiana and Missouri Rive
railroad, in 1868. After contracting
this obligation, the people of tn
county persistently refused to join i
the too general movement for resist
ing payment of railroad debts, levie'
a sufficient tax to meet the annual in
terest and buy in Il portion of tn
principal every year, and held them
selves strictly to the letter of the con
tract. The result was that the worl'
never heard of the Audrain count.
debt, except through the announce
mems of its annual reduction; ther
were no protracted ard expensiv
lawsuits ard angry public meetings t
keep the subject before the EYES Q
the public and warn immigrants t.
keep away from the burdentd county
The best class of settlers came in fror
other states the population lncreas
ell from ~, 3O7 in 1870, to 1871 il
1880-an increase of 81 per cent.
The taxable wealth grew IN like pro
portion; the prices Of lands st"adil.
advanced farms were salable at goo
prices. ever during the hard time
from 1873 to 1879; improved meth
DDS of husbandry were introduced AM
adopted by the farmers; manufact
+ cries we're established and proflabl.
conducted, and Audraln is to day
after having paid out. from first to last
on its debt, S484, $40, not only fire
CT debt. but one OF the most prosper
Gus counties in the West-lhe sea
of thrifty husbandry, we'll manage'
grazing farms, and the breeding an
feeding grounds of large herds of tn
choic est cattle, which attract buyer
from many parts of the East. Il
short, the county has profited twice a
much by paying its debt OF $500, 90
as it could by repudiating it-and ev
cry acre of land and every citizen hav
shared in the adyantage,-St. Loui
Republican.
An Ordinance to Provide 70
Lighting the City Of
Mexico with Gas.
Be it enacted by the City Council Q
the City Of Merico-
SECTION /. That James D. Verde,