The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1897-03-19
COMMUNICATED.

A perusal Of recent articles in the
Kinsley Mercury relating to our city
debt aud taxation has induced me to
forego my personal convenience and
pleasure and put my self on record in
opposition to the impOlitic, revolution
sry and dangerous advice of the Mer-
curry.
The MercuryCprofesses to be q re-
publican paper and consequently
should be the advocate of honesty and
good faith among men and the special
champion of public honor as opposed
to dishonesty, bad faith, eonhssation
and repudiation.
Now let US see how the Mercury talks
when 1t comes to discussion and advice
on city affairs.
In recent issues it says: '.In this
county there is little doubt that large
portion Of our bonded debt can be an
nuiled in court. We are not in favor of
repudiating or snnulling provided the
holders of our bonds will come to our
terms and accept from Us 8 per cent
|
| by our bonds"
| What is needed, is concerted action
with a stern purpose back of it, to lay
down, If eastern holders of our bonds,
cannot be made to realize that they
must yield something, or lose the
whole"
Now when there is reputation all
around us, when the holders of our
bonds are beginning to tremble for
their security, is good tine to strike
for decent rate OF interest"
The thing to do Is to elect q mayor
and council pledged to not pay a cent
of interest until the holders OF our
bonds consent to a reduction"
"Let the tax payers of the town hold
caucus for a city ticket with that pur
pose-see that men are nominated who
have nerve to stand up to the rack
and then elect them"
This much by way of extracts from
the Mercury.
Nearly ten years ago We sold the
bonds in question, received the money
and expended it, and it seems rather
late in the day for homes: men to begin
to talk of our bonds being worthless.
However. the Mercury very gracious
ly intimates to our creditors, that ii
they will throw off At of our interest
We will try to pay 81 until another
''tired feeling" comes over the Mercury
when there appears to be nothing in
the way of our repudiating the other
81 and wiping out the interest and
principal; always providing the Mer-
cury's demands and advices are good.
| The Mercury asks the people of Kin
sley for concerted action in repudlat-
ing financial obligarions-conce
action to discredit and disgrace the city
for all time to come.
Yes, taking the Mercury's view of
municipal honesty, t is an elegant time
when reputation is in the air and the
Mercury through it's columns has set
to issue the railway robber order
throw up your hands"or the highway
mans ultimatUm "stand and deliver"
The mayor and councilmen of this
city, upon entering on their duties have
to take and subscribe to the following
oath:
II solemnly swear that I will support
the Constitution Of the United States,
the Constitution and laws of the State
of Kansas and Ordinances of the City
OF Kinsley and faithfully discharge the
duties of my Office as mayor or council
man (as the case--msy be). so help me
God"
But an oath like that don't for q mo.
ment stagger the Mercury in advising
tie selection, nomination and election
Of men pledged beforehand to perjure
themselves. 1t is not to be wondered
at that the Mercury st1pulates for men
of nerve who will stand up TO the rack
and in spite of oaths carry out the Mer-
cury's schemes of reputation and
perjury.
We are all proud TO know that neith-
er our city or county has ever default
ed on interest or bonds and it is tn the
interest Of every good citizen that we
exhaust every lawful resource to avoid
default We certainly should not start
out with malice afore thought to accom-
plish that end.
We have the cash on hand to square
our city interest to January 1st. 1898,
| with the Same levies as for two years
past. the chances are we can continue to
meet our interest.
Let US by all means continue TO make
the Ievies needed to meet our interest
and then when our bonds mature We
will stand a fair chance in asking for
extension.
Pursuing the advice of the Mercury
che city viii be black-listed at once and
forever. The recent publications of
the Mercury have already given the
city a black eye and done Us more dis
credit than the Mercury can remedy
by years of penaRce and honest writing
and teaching
Let US not make ourselves infamous
or be in haste to publish our own in
fanny to the world
AS citizens an as q city it seems to
me We have nothing to gain by fellow
ing the advice of tie Nercury-If any
inn, ~, l.