The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-11-15
A City In Hard Straits.

Noticed in one of your late issues
telegram from Winnipeg referring TO
The financial condition of the newly in
eorporated city of Emerson, just across
The international boundary line, which
induced me to visit the city and obtain
from a reliable quarter the facts and
circumstances which have brought
about so deplorable state of things.
The statement that the Sheriff has in
his hands executions against the cor
poration for about $500, 600 is correct.
The charter admits Of the Whole OF this
sum being collected forthwith by sale
of the real estate and personal p operty
IAN asse ssment Icing first made and a
rate struck by the Sheriff.. The indebt-
edness was incurred the present summer
for a combined railway and traffic
bridge across the Red River the Dr dye
to be used by the Canadian Pacific
Railway Company for the | ne just con-
structed runnng westward from En-
erson. The notes of the corporation
were given to he bridge contractors as
the work progressed, and were dis
counted by t Q Federal Bank of W'nni-
peg. These note were to De ret red by
the corporati,n us soon as they could
sell their onds II appears that there
was disposition on the part of the
Federal Bank and others in Winnipeg
to get these bonds Mt "shnye" of sew
enteen cents on the dollar, and when
the corporation Of Eme son employed
financial agent to sell the bonds in
Scotland, the Fedc al Il NIX in order to
spoil the sale, got out an execution
against the city, and cabled the fact to
the old country. IN addition to this,
executions were obtained against the
Mayor and councillors who had signed
one OF the corporal on notes Of $4,000,
and the threat of tie Sheriff in their
houses was held out if the bonds were
not handed over. The Mayor and
councillors stood out firmly; recalled
their financial ag MT, and, alter consul.
tation with the citizens, sent TO Ottawa
deputation of prominent men to ask
relief of the Government in the prem
ises. The de, utation are to ask thai
the Government arrange with the rail
way company to take the newly-con
structed bridge of the hands of the
city, and Pay for the same.
1t is very apparent to an outsider tina
our energetic little neighbor, in under
taking to build a 100000 bridge, wen
beyond its ability, and its present as
pect, with half its stores and dwelling
empty, speaks loudly. There is n
question that this undertaking fright
ened away the money of the Ontari
banks and loan companies from the city
causing the bankruptcy of nearly ever
firm in the place, and the suspension c
all improvements, and the sinking on
Of sight of real estate. 1t was to n
purpose that the assessor was require
to value up the property, taxes woul
not come in; and now. if the Sheriff prC
ceeds there will be stampede of pee
pile with their goods from the city, an
such banks as the Merchants Bank I
Canada and the Federal Bank will fin
themselves losers of 500, 900 or NOR
In the United States were an apple
ton for relief made to the General Go
ernmenl in such case the appllcan
would be laughed at, and told TO p'
their own debts; but in Canada thu
seem to have a parental sort OF cover
ment that directs when and where the
railways shall be built, and cones to Il
rescue when mistakes are made, al
our neighbors may, after all, be relieve
If not, there is nothing before them b
population, a word very odious indie
to Canadians and one that they part
uluyly dread in the Northwest, whe
they aerend so much upon the b.
rowed money TO carry on their improN
ncnts. There is feeling among t
Emerson people that Winnipeg is g
Gus the geographical position OF L
c son and The facilities thereby afford
for d. ne the whole ale trade of t
C;nadia1 Northwest, and that Win
peg would re oic4 to see her down;
IN thi, thy probably mistaken. I
. yers;ty OF Emerson would not me
the prosI Gritty of Winnipeg. - Cor.
Paul lion e. ircS5.