Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1889-08-08
NO RnPupIArloM.

The proposition before the Constisu.
tional Convention to provide ways and
means BY which the different counties
can create sinking fund to buy in their
Indebtedness, is not very creditable to .
new state government. II this remedy
is to be provided for the counties to
repudiate their indebtedness, Why not
make it applicable to the new state
government which We are about to
organize. II is possible that the new
state will run hesdiong in debt as some
Of the counties have and will need qni.e
as much protection from its merci'ul
creditors, and BY cugraiting some pro.
visions 10 the constitution for similar
relief il will be clever scheme to get .
clean start on another season Of extrayag.
ancc. The argument that the creditors
bought up the county warrants at q
discount, is the same argument used BY
those who proposed to repudiate our
national debt years ago-only their plea
for reputation was based on stronger
grounds, for the government itself did
not in many instances realize half the
amount Of bonds she Issued. No debtor
has = right to justify his desire for
realized reputation on the ground that
his paper has fallen into the hands Of
shsrpers Or been sold for less than its face
value. The government, whether coun-
~, municipal, or state, ought to be Is
honest as the individuals who compose
the government, and how would it look
for this new state to provide for the
legal reputation Of individual debts 10
tie same manner proposed fos the re.
pudiation Of individual debts 10 the
same manner proposed for tho repudia-
ton Of county Indebtedness. II the
coaniies must repudiate, le. them 60 into
Insolvency, or ask the general govern
ment to extend the bankrupt law to
counties and municipal government.
What nice commentary it will be on
the new state Of Idaho to provide 10 her
constitution for the reputation Of the
indebtedness Of the several counties.
The fact il wc had better not have
constitution, better not have state,
until We can show ourselves able to
maintain government, and this scheme
to got the indebtedness Of several coun.
tics paid of at discount cqual to half or
two thirds Of the indebtedness, is the
very best proof that those who propose
this scheme do not see the way clear to
support . state government except to
repudiate the present debts Of the
different counties
Il il true that several counties are
heavily in dsbt, and the creation Of
most Of the indebtedness is not very
creditable, for they have little or nothing
to show for it, but this reckless extrav.
agance is supposed to be provided against
in the constitution, and every county 10
the territory is able to pay the last dollar
Of her indebtedness, aud with the in
creased population and wealth which
statehood will brig. the present indsbt.
edness can be paid OF 10 an honest way
and with 20 discrcdit to county or state
Is it not bes. that it should be so paid I?
Three-fourths Of the individuals Of this
territory would not repudiate debt il it
were out lawed. They have not petit
toned for iusolvent or reputation laws,
and We admonish the Constitutional
convention that this provision 10 the
constitution will not be received with
favor BY the people, or by congress-
Statesman.