Morris tribune., 1909-12-03
ADVISE PAYMENT.
Improvement Union Want Seed
Grain Bonds Wiped out.

Iraln DOnQS Wlp6Q OUT
The meeting of the Improvement
Union last Friday evening was re-
preventative gathering of the tax
payers in the city, and they expressed
themselves in certain terms in favor
of the payment of the seed grain
bonds of this county. Commissioners
Devenney and Casey and number of
prominent farmers were present.
County Auditor Ware was first call
ed upon for a statement as to the
amount of the seed grain bonds, and
he surprised the audience by telling
them that the present indebtedness
of the county to the state including
interest does not exceed $1,000. The
state auditors certificate calls for
nearly $4,000, but that is because such
levies are made in an excess of 30 per
cent of the amount required. He had
gone over his books and computed
the interest on each loan and found
that his figures agreed with those of
the state auditor except that the
latter had added 80 per cent.
w. @. Bicknell, former county at
torney, was called upon and gave
considerable of the history of these
seed grain bonds and also explained
the Russian thistle Indebtedness. He
said that the bonds were issued pre-
vious to his term, and that he had had
nothing to do with them except the
closing up of the last loan. He stated
that there was no disagreement
among attorneys that the seed grain
bonds were an illegal charge against
the county, and cited cases in which
the courts had SO decided. Neverthe-
less he stated that no one would be
more pleased to see the bonds paid
then he would. and he thought they
ought to be paid.
F.. E. Ware was also strongly of the
opinion that the bonds should be paid,
but clearly pointed out that in spread
ing an illegal tax on the tax rolls and
by drawing a warrant for the pay
ment of an. illegal Indebtedness, he
and the treasurer would become liable
on their bonds to any taxpayer who
would take the matter into the courts.
Personally he was in favor of raising
the money by popular subscription.
County Commissioner J. Ell. Deven-
ney was in favor of having the bonds
paid, and suggested that he would
join with others in giving the county
auditor bond to indemnify him for
any loss he might susuain on account
of drawing a warrant to pay these
bonds.
G. B. Randall held to the opinion
that the bonds were illegal, but
thought they might be legally paid by
levying special tax for the purpose
of paying them, and that so few would
object to the paying of this special
tax that sufficient funds could be
raised.
8. Stewart, Joseph Sauter, D. FL.
Lawler, w. F. Cooley and many
others in running discussion ex-
pressed themselves strongly in favor
of paying the bonds, and while many
views were taken of the legal questions
involved, the sentiment for payment
was unanimous, and the following
resolution was adopted without dis
senting vote:-
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Morris I'm
provement Union of Morris, Stevens
County, Minnesota, that
Whereas Stevens county is indebted
to the State of Minnesota in the sum
of approximately $500, which said
sum was heretofore advanced at vari-
GUS times to farmers of this county
for seed grain and for the eradication
of the Russian thistle, and for. the re-
payment of which the county of Ste
vens became surety by the issue of
seed grain bonds,
And whereas the good name of this
county has been disgraced with the
stigma of reputation, and many I'M
warranted aspersions have been cast
upon the honor of the people OF this
-one of the banner agricultural coun- |
ties of the state of Minnesota,
And whereas, this indebtedness
must be paid either by the taxpayers
of Stevens county or borne by the
taxpayers of the whole state, there
fore.
Be it Resolved that it is the opinion
of the Morris Improvement Union
that this obligation be recognized as
just obligation of this county and that
the same should be paid, and further
Resolved, that a committee Of five
be appointed by the president to pre-