AN ORIGINAL HABEAS CORPUS CASE
Some years ago a well-known promoter started to boom a new town in Montana. He adopted the usual methods, built electric railroads, established an electric-light plant, put up business blocks, and erected himself a fine house.
Among the other business enterprises he established a bank, of which he made himself president, and, in order to inspire confidence in this, as well as in his other ventures, he persuaded some well-known Montana men to become directors, among others the then United States Senator T. C. Power.
Things went along swimmingly until the panic of 1893, and then the bubble burst, and the bank suffered in consequence. At adirectors’ meeting, at which the president was conspicuous by his absence, it was decided that rather than have the bank fail, each stockholder would “dig up” and save it. After the meeting the members of the board went around to Mr. Promoter’s house to acquaint him with their decision. They found him smoking in his luxurious library, and he listened attentively until the spokesman had finished his explanation, and then he said:
“This is a very good idea, gentlemen, very, and I only regret I cannot join you.”
“Why not?” inquired almost every man at once.
“Because I have absolutely nothing to give.”
“What’s the matter with your business blocks?” asked one.
“They belong to my wife,” suavely replied Mr. Promoter.
“How about your electric railroad?” inquired another.
“That, too, belongs to my wife.”
“Well, to whom does this house belong?”
“I gave it to my wife as soon as it was built. I am very sorry, but you see I haveabsolutely nothing but my body that I can call my own. I would gladly give that to be divided up if it would do any good.”
“Well, gentlemen,” and Senator Power spoke for the first time, “if you decide to accept Mr. Promoter’s last proposition and take his body, I speak for his gall.”