Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-11-13
The Council Deceived.

To THE EDITOR: In view of all the facts in the
case, it seems to me beyond question, that the
common council are making grave mistake in
refusing to release the city treasurer's bonds
men. That they are legally bound is true, l
think; and perhaps even they do not question il.
1t may also be true that there is no express pro-
vision of law authorizing the council TO release
them; but neither is there any express provision
prohibiting it. 1t has been done repeatedly, and
precedents can be found within Iowa county.
Admitting the law to be against them, then, 1t
does seem to me that in equity, in fairness IN
good conscience, these men ought not TO be com
PEELED to shoulder this burden-for some of them
a greyious slmost ruinous burden, especially
when their release is asked for by about two
hundred of the taxpayers of the city and no one,
no single individual. has presented remon-
STRANGE! Does not this petition justify the coun-
Gil in granting the relief? 1t seems to me It
deesl and that If in the face of such petition
the council refuse, it is simply and only because
they are personally unwilling to do otherwise.
More! Does not this petition make 1t the duty oil
the council to release these men, provided they
can conscienclously do so? And more even;
does not this petition release the council from
responsibility in the matter, and make it the act
of the people If were a member of the coun-
Gil l would vote TO relieve them, and justify my
act not o. ly to my own conscience because be-
lieyed il right; but would justify it also because
had acted in accordance with instructions from
of my constituents. u Is the general impression
that the county board will relieve Mr. Rowe: and
If it be right in equity and good conscience to
relieve him, all the more is It right in equity
and good conscience 10 relieve them! They had
no other place provided by the city to deposit the
money they only placed it where it had been
placed year after year, and now to hold them to
make good loss for which they were in nowise
10 blame simply because i. is 50 nominated in
the bond" seems TO me to be an act Of injustice
that do not believe the people of this city will
willingly be party TO-! 1t seems to me some
thing in this wise: see my neighbor through
no fault of his about to lose (say) six hundred
dollars lie is both ignorant of his danger and
| innocent of its cause Bv expanding little Of
my own money. say five or ten dollars, | can save
him from losing 5000, l am under no legal OBJ
| legation TO do so! l can stand by and see him
sacrificed il vii; but / would be a mealer mar
than l ever charged myself with being if dc
not help him. Gentlemen of the council it IL
wrong-wrong-wrong believe the sobel
judgment OF a majority of the community thinks
so. lam a taxpayer; l am not personally inter
ested III releasing these men; write simply IL
what believe to be in the interest of equity anC
good conscience; absolutely without fee or re
ward and no man on earth excepting the
printer and myself knows even of my in
| tention TO write 1t Is however written with 8
purpose; and that purpose is to ask every mar
In this city to simply apply the perfect rule, do
unto others as you would like to have others dc
unto you" II is good rule. Put yourself il
| their place and act for them as you would ask
| them TO act for you We are all dependent upon
| each other and the time mUy come when you
\ may have to ask a favor. Surely, surely it is
| neutrality-suspicious. equitable for us al
TO bear each his share of this loss than to inliic
| it all upon five innocent men, simply because
the law-which is often widely different from
| equity, says we may! Further; the fact that the
matter has been settled and agreed by a compro
mise while he may place their legal responsible
| ity beyond Il question, does not diminish one
| iota, the injustice of the matter-and does not
disturb in anywise the commanding equities in
in their favorl