Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-11-01
THOSE MORTGAGES.
Some Facts Concerning Cocaty
Records


Committees Access to the Records, But
Use Them for Personal Profit
Several Examples.
Topeka Cor. Kansas City Tunes October IS
Tho assault all along the Republican
line in Kansas against the report OF Chair
man Galloway of the Democratic commit
toe of the individual mortgage indebted
ness and the municipal debt by counties
Of this State shows concerted action upon
the part of the Republican leaders to,
if possible. break the force OF its effect
upon the voters, and to show, by their
speakers and by their press, that the re-
port itself is fraudulent and false, are tax
ing steps in different counties to circulate
afldavits that no such reports were made
from the records. The report is now be-
fore the people and Chairman Galloway is
perfectly willing TO have it remain there,
wholly upon its merits as to its correctness
in representing the individul mortgage
debt of the State rs shown by the records
and other reliable data.
As to the matters other than that, con-
tanned in the report, they are the records
of Republican State officials. No names
are made use of, neither are private mat
tiers exposed. It is simply an aggregate
by counties from the records and other
reliable authorities, and it is matter in
every way pertinent in tho discussion Of
the issues of this campaign in the State Of
Kansas, in view of the attitude Of the Re-
publican party claiming the wisdom OF
their policy with reference to tariff legis-
lation, that it has been directly in the in
terest OF the laborin8 men generally and
the farming classes in particular.
But this is not all. In the effort to get
those facts from the county records, in
many in stances Chairman Galloway was
entirely thwarted by the action of the
county Republican officials, acting direct
~ under the warning and directions from
their political leaders. Tho assumption OF
the Republicans that this is an unwarrant-
cd exposure Of private matters for polite
al effect can not for q moment be sus-
tanned, in view Of tho fact that in nearly
every county in this State the Republican
county officials are using these records,
both with regard to real estate mortgages,
chattel mortgages. suits filed in district
court, suits filed in justice of tho peace
court, and judgments and liens, for tho
sole purpose of presenting the private in
debtedness Of individuals in their respect
i've counties, in tho way OF daily reports,
which they furnish for . money consider.
alton to agencies for distribution through
out their counties into the hands Of ner-
chants. dealers and traders who are their
patrons and who desire to know tho finan-
cial status OF individuals doing business
with them.
One of the regular notices with refer
ence to the collection Of this mortgage
data was sent to A. C. Shinn, chairman Of
the Democratic committee Of Franklin
County, Kan, at Ottawa. Mr.. Shinn
made an application in person to d. 81.
Sherman, register Of deeds, and II. g..
Brown, deputy register, at their office in
Ottawa, and asked the privilege OF exam
lining the records for the purpose of com.
pilinG his report. This was refused He
again made application on Septembef q
in writing, as follows:
Hon. II. II. Sherman. Re gisreS Of Dssds:
OTTAWA, Kan. Sept. 24.-Desf Sir: Enclosed
you will find blank sent me ~ chairman OF the
County Democratic Central Committee by John
NJ. Galloway, chairman Of the Democratic State
Executive Committee. asking for them to be
filled up with extracts from the mortgage
records OF this county. TO obtain this inf0rma-
ton and comply with tho reQu est OF Mr.. Gal
loway have secured tho services OF Mr.. Ed.
Sucker, of this city, and asked you On the
eth inst for the use Of your public records
for this purpose. This request you refused, un-
til you could consult with County Attorney
you. after consulting a. you said with
County Attorney Deford. again refused.
I then made my request in writing that
you should grant me the of your
ACCESS
refused that you should mako your refusal in
writing, which you declined TO do. And now,
Mr.. Register, L, as . citizen End taxpayer in
this county for twenty -one years. and IN o6ceT
Of the Democratic County Central Committee,
demand this right be granted (undef proper re-
strictions 20 the hour and expense) and in case
you refuse, that you do 90 in writing and also
five me the instructions given you by Hon.
County Attorney John W. -Deford, so that j
can report them 70 Mr. Galloway, chairman OF
q p cOmniftA2 llvv
A. G. SHINN,
Chairman Democratic County Committee.
To John II. GattoDay, Chairman Democratic
State Committee Topeka, Kan.
OTTAWA Kan, Oct. 24.-My Dear Sir: re-
ceived your letter inclosing blan ks, asking fol
The uncaneeled farm, city and town mortgages
made from May 1, 1880, to September 1, 1888
last Saturday evening. On the Thursday fol-
lowing secured competent help and called al
the registers ONCE, introduced to him my helI
and made my request in this re spect. The reg
lister refused his books and 9 aid he would take
counsel with John w. Deford. county attor
Friday morning we called to heal
his decision. and he again refused tt
let US have access to the records. then made
my request in writing and asked him for a writ
ten refusal to send you. This he declined Il
give. but made this stateme Mt: IF the Law
compels me to grant your quest win do so
but otherwise, I absol utely refuse" send yor
the partir ulars in order that you may take such
action as may be proper onered TO bear the eX
pense OF deputy or any other Official to watch
us. Yours respectfully, A. c. SHINN.
Chairman Democratic County Committee.
Now this Republican county official and
his deputy on October 10, 1888, and every
| day in the year furnishes upon
Form b. No 4.
KLAUSER'S
PROTECTIVE MERCANTILE SYSTEM
Franklin County, Kansas
DAILY ABSTRACT REPORT.
Copyrighted. 1888.
General Collections Speciality.
Ottawa. Kan, Oct Is. 1888.
JOHN E. Ross. Agent
| The following report with regard to "Rea
estate transfers and sales"
Fnst-The grantors and grantees in
| iUip In, oh, fx.l