Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-02-28
The People Should Decide.


The Appleton Post agrees with the
TRIBUNE that the question Of releas-
ing the eX-state treasurers from so
much Of the judgments found against
them as the difference between and
7 per cent. interest on said judg-
ments. should be submitted 10 the
people Of the state for decision. The
Post says il "bas good legal authori-
ty for the opinion that this can be
done and is therefore Of the opin-
ion that the proposition should be
submitted to vote Of the people,
whether or not the excess Of interest
already paid over to the state or that
may he hereafter ordered to be paid
over, in the cases not yet passed up
on by the highest court shall be re-
turned TO the former treasurers. In
that case all would be served alike,
and whether the result might be for
or against them, they would have the
satisfaction of verdict from the
largest possible jury
The Milwaukee Sentinel disap-
proves The project as IAN appeal to
political cowardice, and does not
think il likely TO meet with general
favor among republicans. While it
Is no answer to the sentinel's objec-
ton, reference To the republican
party's course on the so-called Ben
nett school law, admittedly deter
mined by considerations Of party ex-
pediency, is precedent that at
least might excuse political caution
indicating with theeN-treasurerc cases.
But, IL there political cowardice in
the proposition TO submit he ques-
ton to vote of the people?
The highest court las decided that
the law demands from ex-treasurers
all the money they received ~ inter-
est on deposits, together with I per
Gems. Interest thereon from the dates
OF receiving such moneys to the time
of -et atlaou. go modify this decis-
ion by legislative enactment 50 ~ u
release thc eN-trepsurers would be
am encoaehmcut hy one branch NJ
govtrumcnt upon the domain Of an
other. submit sion 81 the question
TO . vote Of sac peopte would he -.in-
my referring 4 10 49, authority from
which ail branches If government
derive their powers, and TO which
clcb " hdispufauiy subordinate, y
seem- proper 10 regard this question
d. One ali which two ca-equal de-
partments Of government disagree,
and undtr that view Its reference FOR
arbitrament 60 the only power supe-
rior IL both legislatHrenud coart--the
people-~appears not only proper nut
wise.
In its discussion Of the subject the
Sentinel retdls only 10 the petitions
~ Mrisgtriag Hei and Kuehu for
RELIEF, q l0il~ 10 mebtion the cases
81 Guenthcr ana Hnrshaw, which
equitably must be treated tae SAME
a. those directly under considera-
tion Therefore, the legislature IS
called upon to decide not only
whether Mebetidgc ahuIl he releas-
ed to tle eNtent OF $s5,O0e, aud Bptl
and Knphu of an equally large
or much larger amount, bat also,
whether the sums paid rs Guenther
ans llaf-haw in excess Fl the judg-
meBt- against them and 3 per cent.
interest hatl ~ refunded ia them.
II + Unknown what the aggregate
would amount NJ, hut there IA 40 risk
IN saying il would approximate
100000 The sentinel may 81 able
~ state the probable amount In
volved, and should frankly do 81 in
connection with the assertion that
"it IS party eowardiee" to shift the
responsibility Of deciding the matter
upon the people
The TBiBrNF believes that MIR.
McFetridge and other eN-treasurers
should have relief 70 hceXtent ask
ed for hy linn, hut doubts the pro-
priety o. is heing granted BY tbe
Legislature directly IN the absence
ofuuy eNpre>sionhl the people,and in
the faceot atIpa-t implicda-saanees
during The late political campaign
chat there would ~ ito legislation Is
modify fhoeourt decisions ia the en-
treasurer cuses. 70 favor its sub
mission to popular vote, is entirely
consistent with this Wow Of the mat
ter.