The Federal Reporter. Volume 4: Cases Argued and Determined in the Circuit and District Courts of the United States. October-December, 1880. Page: 276

                                
PEDEBAL REPORTE.L

of liability, namely, $5,000, and interest. The decree can pro-
vide for a sale of the life estate as a security for the debt,
unaffected by anything that has transpired between its owner
and complainant, and suitable provision can be made touch-
ing the personal liability of the defendant Scammon for any
deficiency. Further, the, same decree can direct a sale of the
interest of the other mortgagors to pay so much of the debt
as is in excess of the $15,000 realized from the insurance.
To the extent indicated the exceptions to the master's re-
port will be sustained, and decree in conformity to this opin-
ion.
*    PoaTSMOUTH SAvINGS BANx v. CIT oFr SPRINGFIELD.
(Oioast Court, 8. 1  s .llino. - , 1880.)
L MumcawA   BoNm-- QU E oIx As To VALIDITY.-All questions of
doubt in relation to the validity of municipal bonds should be answered
in favor of their legality, where the city has repeatedly recognized the
validity of such bonds, and has paid interest on them for a series of
yeAr.
-   , for plaintiff.
--     , for defendant,
DRUMMOND, C. J. All questions of doubt oin relation to the
validity of these bonds should be answered in favor of their
legality, because the city has recognized their validity repeat-
edly, and has paid the interest on them for a series of years.
Therefore, under such circumstances as these, it should appear
beyond all doubt that the issue of the bonds was void.
First, as to the state-house bonds: By the act of February
25, 1867, the governor was authorized to convey to the county
of Sangamon and to the city of Springfield, for the use of the
county and city, a piece of land known as the public square,
upon which was located the state house, for the sum of $200,-
000, and for the further consideration that the city and county
should cause to be conveyed to the state a certain parcel of
ground which was described. The law authorized the county
of Sangamon and the city of Springfield to issue such bonds