The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1881-02-04
Emporin,. BONDED IndebtednesA.

E1npOrAnB ktO0OeO lnHeDIeOncoA
The report of the proceedings of the
city council, at its meeting on the even
ing of the oath, as published in the NEWS
of Thursday, has excited extensive COM
ment and discussion among our readers,
in view of the action taken by that body
in relation to refunding the bonded in
debtedness of the city. 1t will be
remembered that the report Of the
special committee to whom this
matter was referred, stated that
the committee found after care
full investigation, and in accordance
with the written opinion of C.N. Sterry,
late city solicitor, that $21 800 of our
bonded Indebtedness is what might be
termed an Illegal debt, namely $4,000,
Normal school boarding house bonds;
$4,000. Normal building bonds; $500,
Normal building bonds, which were is
sued without authority of law, but in
view of the fact that the city has re-
ceived value in full for all she expected
or anticipated from the issuance Of these
bonds. and that large portion of them
are held by innocent parties who pur-
chased them in good faith, made the
recommendation that the bonds in ques-
ton be refunded at different rates OF in
terest specified in the report, thereby le-
CALLING them, in the opinion of parties
who have given the matter careful atten-
ton.
A motion was made to adopt the re-
port, when an amendment was offered
and prevailed which provided that so
much of it as related to the bonds al
ready specified be stricken out, and the
following. submitted by Mr.. Watson,
was adopted:
ResoIoed, That the $4,000 Normal
| School building bonds, due Nov. 25,
1882, and the $500 Normal School
building bonds, due April 1, 1889, be re-
ferrsd to the legislature now in session,
with the request that the state assume
these bonds, which were issued to aid
the state in the erection of one of her
public school buildings, and that COM
mlttee OF two from the council be ap-
pointed to confer with our representa-
lives and senator, urging them to bring
this matter before the legislature at an
early day.
Mr. Fox then offered a resolution pro
viding for the refunding OF the $4,000
Normal school boarding house bonds
with -four per cent. interest bond run
ming ten years from September LIST, 1880
This was tabled by the adoption of re
solution offered by Mr.. Watson, all vot
ing for except Messrs. Fox and Theis
who voted against.
In view of the MON ntOus interests in
volved in any action on the part of Oul
municipal guardians which might bear
even q semblance of n Reputation of the
moral obligations of the city, we waited
upon a number of the city fathers to
day and obtained their views in rela
ton to this matter. For the reputa
ton of EmpOria, and her honor a
home and abroad, We are graft
fed to learn that no member o
her common council favors any actor
that would bring reproach upon the
credit of the town or stigmatiHe her al
being either unwilling or unable to pay
her debts. The members who voted
against the adoption of the report re
ferred to at the outset of this article
claim that they are amply assured tina
the bonds in question are illegal AnC
they do not feel warranted in vot
ing to legaliEe what has been pro
nounced invalid, and that if possible
) they desire to strike upon some plan BY
which they may be provided for in &C
cOrdance with regular methods. The re
fering of the $4,000 and $500 Norma
bonds to the legislature. is, in the opin
E ion OF many of our best citizens, q jus
I and proper thing to do. though there i
( some diversity of view IS to the propri
: ETY. Of presenting it to that body during
| the present session. The tabling o
l.. the resolution touching the refund
ing of the $1,000 of Norma
school boarding house bonds, it !
claimed by the council, merely puts tn
matter In allegiance, and it can. and viii
:. be brought up at any time that fea.
IDLE plan of disposition consistent wit
the credit Of the city can be agreed upor
The NEWS makes these statement
with much satisfaction, and takes plea
: ure in relieving the cOuncil fror
any suspicion of bad faith i
! his matter. We have always beer
( are, and ever will be, etel
: nally and unalterably opposed to repud
e alton in all OF It's disgraceful forms
= and 1t can assume no specious phase tha
will ingratiate 1t into our favor W
hold II sovereign contempt the man VIII
. can but will not pay his debts, and tn
community. as the aggregation OF it
members, is equally open TO censur
/, when it shirks, through It's authorizes
= agents, its legal OF moral Indebtedness:
, Whatever may be the legal or technica
, bearings of this case, we can only sa,
. that EmpOria cannot afford to repudiat
. a single farthing OF her indebtedness:
and we believe that there Is a moral sen
timent in this community that woult
: peremptorily frown down any such Al
. tempt. 1.-THE people At any time in IN
past have invested power il
: the hands OF men who wer
; unequal to the proper discharge of thei
:. Official duties, and transcribed thei
+ powers in the issuance of financis
pledges, they, and not the innocent hold
: ers Of sueh promises. must pay the Coz
l of the voters stupidity. There mus
\ aud shall be no reputation.
Use Leis' Dandelion Tonic, the gres
r blood and liver purifier and life gISin
v principle q preventative of chflle an