Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-05-16
alderman Magruder and the Corporation.

Alderman Magruder and the Corporation.
WAsHISaToS, d. G., May IL, 1883
| 10 the Editor Of the Americas Organ;
DEAR Sin: In one Of the papers Of this city,
in the early part of the week, there appeared
what purported to be speech made BY dstiI-
guished gentleman ON Monday evening last. 90
not pretend TO be very familiar with the affairs OF
the Corporation but sometimes read the news
papers, and from them CLEAN the little informa-
lion am possessed of and think you VIII give
the following place in your journal
At a meeting Of the Union or anti know-No,n-
ing party Of the First Ward, the evening Of the
| sth instant, Doctor VIM b. Magruder, oho Is no
torioas for truth l,sess, aud CANNOT, perhaps os
| surpassed by any man ia the community for me
scrupulous accuracy of all his statements, being
called upon addressed his brethren at some length
| The speaker commenced by thanking his friends
for the honor they had conferred upon him, lnom-
mated for Alderman and declaring that he felt II
to be his duty TO serve his feIow-citzens IN any
way in which they conceived that his labors would
be most likely to aid in the overthrow OF his coun-
trynen, the American party.
As is his practice on all such occasions, he in
dulged in few choice remarks Of complimentary
character in reference to a fiend-takng good
care to battle himself with the soothing ointment.
He then proceeded to, and ingeniously explained
how consistently man of integrity, like himself
could struggle for the preservation OF every civil
right of the Catholics and for the entire co-equai.
ity of their religion under this government, and at
the same time be always anxious for the success 81
Professionalism, taking position SO exceedingly
doubtful that it would be difficult for the adherents
or advocates Of these two religions, so antagonistc
in their natures to determine whether 1t would be
safe for either 10 enlist him In their cause,
or IL enlisted, to trust him with the keeping Of
their rights, or guard Of their privileges.
So far no fault is found with the Doctor, he had
a right to say what he chose about the peculiar
doctrines Of the Union party--their enlarged PHI
lanthropy--ther sentiments Of universal suffrage,
and extension to all Of the privilege Of holding
Office, even to the Presidency. And he might
have INDUCED in every kind Of invective against
the American party, the opposition, not SO much
to Catholicism and foreigners far US he is con-
cerned, but to his, the Doctors, occupying the
office Of Mayor of this city, or indeed holding any
situation requiring man of energy and strict IN
tegrity.
assailed as the friend Of foregners and he did not
deny the charge, because he is every mans friend,
only Just so long, however, as his ends are sub
served but let any one oppose him, and, native
or foreigner, he must suffer the chilling blast OF in.
dignation, which the Doctor has in store for oil
offenders.
Continuing the CHAMPION Of epery6ody's rights
remarked that the Known pthings had been beaten
everywhere in their second Contest, and that they
were surely destined to an overwhelming defeat,
in this city, at the June election; and then went
on to show that they had come into power in this
city government with full treasury, and had al
ready bankrupted the Corporation having no funds
to pay the widow and orphan and the contractors
and laborers of the city.
Now, il this be the case, the people should know
it from reliable source; and, in the opinion OF
some, it must be so, because DR.. Magruder said it,
while far greater number desire more substantial
evidence.
When the present party came into power last
June, the Corporation, according to the official
report was in debt upwards of $54, 000-$25, 600
OF which, nearly one-half had been borrowed to
enable the then existing authorities to meet their
liabilities, which it appears they were unable to
do, although the revenue during the two preced-
ing years was far greater than it had ever been,
in consequence of the curailment Of the credit on
taxes from t,co years, as formerly, to one year I;
thus forcing the payment Of two years taxes into
one year. in addition to nearly all of the back taxes
outstanding. This, by reference to the report OF
the former Mayor, will be found to be 80 /; and he
appeared to take great credit in that report, for
the measure, which cheerfully award him, 80 far
as increasing the receipts of the Corporation are
concerned but as taxpayer had, as well as a
large mass of my feow-citizens, to scrape several
him in this new measure OF finance.
Since June last, the report says, (which was
made in October last,) the outstanding debts have
been paid, besides the usual expenditures for sala
ries, &C., which undoubtedly indicates prosperous
condition, rather than bankruptcy. But probably
the Doctor who is very nice in his assertion, had
reference to the doings of the Councils, when he
stated that the Corporation was insolvent
1t appears that the two Boards have appropr-
ated large sums Of money out Of the general fund ;
among others, as followsi
For constructing X street bridge $4,000 90
For repair Of bridges across the canal $500 90
For dredgng.machine 1000 90
For Western Market 10000 90
For Eastern Market 5000 90
For Northern Liberties engine-house 5000 90
Making In the aggregate $50, 500 90
Nowitisproper thatit should be known who voted
for the above appropriations and that can be readily
ascertancd Ii will be enough for our present pur-
poseto inquire of DR.. Magrudcr, whether he did not
vote for each and every sum allowed namedf Ru-
NOR says he did, and many, many others OF con-
siderable amount.
Taking into consideration the impoverished con-
dition of the finances Of the Corporation, which
must have been known to DIR. Magruder, Chairman
Of the Committee of Finance, 1t is astonishing that
that prudent, far-seeing officer did not cry out
nGhlnbt SUCH iaNi5h uppfoP''attonNt "aS "e'sA $50
colleagues Of the danger of bankruptcy.
Dr. Magruder it is presumed, knew what he
was about when he voted for the above appropri-
atoms, and he also knew what he was about
when be proposed to the Board OF Aldermen, In
August last, to purchase ground in the First Ward,
on which to erect a market-house at q cost OF up.
wards of $4,000. Nor was he asleep on the 18th
December last, when he offered bill in the Board
of Aldermen, TO suspend the collection Of fares for
three months, which the Board Of Common Coun-
Gil unanimously rejected, and thus allowed the
machinery of the Corporation to 90 on, instead Of
entirely sispendiag operations, as would have
been the case, had DIR. Magruders proposition pre-
vailed, and he well knew Il. Where would then
have been the Doctors widows and orphans?
With the Doctors motives we have nothing to
do. He has charged the party in power with NAL
administration Of affairs and IL is submitted to a
discriminating people, with the above information
before them, to decide whether the Corporation Is
bankrupt, and, If SO, how far DR.. Magruder has
aided in bringing about or averting that calamity.
What uco,ld have been the state of things, had the
money appropriated been actually expended, or
rather, had the work been done which has been
ordered by the Boards, may be surmised. But,
49,, talv Ar Dr Maornder'a nan. the work