Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-12-13

The New Albany papers are filled w1rs
discussions ON the subject Of the interest o.
the corporation in the n. A. and Sandusk5
Railroad. We regret to see some criminatiolr
and recriminations between the Ledger and
the Tribune ON this subject, inasmuch as both
papers are, osiensibly at least, favorable to
this great enterprise, and their dissensions
Esss .ssisses d. .sss,~s which lhs and
lks;<-eity 7--e -erIiiStctE.
As the question at issue, from the notorie-
ty it is assuming and from its intrinsic merits,
has some public interest, we propose to give
a brief account of the matter, as we under
stand it. About two years ago propositions
were submitted to the citizens of New AL
banv to aid in constructing a Railroad from
that city to the Ohio State line, where il
would CONNECT with other roads leading to
Sandusky; and also another road from the
Fails of the Ohio to Fort Wayne. a propO-
Stion was submitted for the city to subscribe
in one or both these projects a sum not ex-
ceeding 100000 In accordance with the
requirements of the law ON that subject, a
petition was circulated and signed by nearly
all the voters Of the city, asking the city
council to make this subscription, which was
done, so Far as the Sandusky project was con-
cerned. A decision of the Supreme Court
in another case, declared this subscription in
valid, but the last Legislature passed an act
authorizing the city council to again make
the subscription on the original petition of
the voters. In pursuance Of this act the
New Albany council subscribed 100000 in
the Sandusky road, the Fort Wayne project
having been abandoned.
Last spring. as most of our readers are pro-
badly aware, the Know Nothing lodges vir-
tually appointed all the officers of the city
of New Albany. No opposition was made
to their nominations, and they selected city
counril a majority OF whose members, inclu-
ding the Mayor, were hostile TO the road.-
One of the first acts Of this council was tC
assess an enormous and unnecessary tax,
nominalIy for railroad purposes, but really, as
was generally understood, to apply portion
of the railroad tax to ordinary city purposes
the tax authorized by the charter not being
sufficient to meet the wants of the city
fathers. BY this means, too, the anti railroad
council could discredit that enterprise by at
taching to it the odium of the high taxes
with which our sister city is afflicted.
Things went on thus till the tax came to b
collected, when that portion of the citizens
opposed to the city's subscription began t'
rebel and determined, if possible, to repudi
ate. Meetings were held and lawyers EN-
ployed to bring the matter before the court
and have the subscription annulled. Propo
sitions were then made by the editor of tn
Tribune and few other proiessed friends o
the enterprise to compromise, by-reducini
the city's subscription to Sz5o,O0o and als'
reducing the tax for railroad purposes. Th
great mass of the friends Of the road, how
ever, are not willing that the city's subscrip
ton should be reduced and avow their vii
Inrness to pay the tax A number of distin
guished lawyers--amOng them Judge Dewey
late of the Supreme COart-have given tn
subject thorough examination and are G
opinion that the entire proceedings are lega
and that the subscriptions can be sustained a
law.
We do not know how this matter wi
eventuate, but we should be very sorry to sc
New Albany become repudiGting city. Lie
citizens have borne heavy burdens and pal
high taxes for objects of less Importance tha
the Sandusky Railroad, and we should regr'
very much to see her finch at such crisi
The defeat Of that project would be a sever
blow to New Albany, and she is not now
position where she can afford to throw ava
any advantages at her command
Let this road be built and we have i
doubt she will go ahead with rapidity sh
has never yet exhibited. But if it fail th
consequences will be severely felt by h,
citizens.
M IN.