The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1856-05-03

Inc cUltcT Oh Tue Litpuottt"'e, al hi' ~
tempts to defend the financial schemes OF
our present city authorities, is driven to
some strange lodges. Two weeks ago he
said our city orders were selling at 80 cents
on the dollar, and we must have loan to
bring them up to par Last week he says
the city finances are in good condition,
but cannot remain SO under the present ap-
preparations, unless we have loan. Then,
by way Of justifying the appropriation of
5000 to build certain bridges when there
was not dollar in the treasury, ne says that
Mr.. Hoes was on the petition for 81 600 Of
the appropriation, and two democratic al
dermcn voted for the other $1,000.
Now we have but one word to say in refe-
renee to these bridges. The people on Ma
olson street, including Mr.. Hoes, cuhtri-
buted a large sum from their own pockets to
build a bridge across the side-cut. The
bridge was built under the direction of the
city, in SO bunglng q manner that it fell to
pieces. They have, therefore, just claim
on the city for new and good bridge
But without any reliance on the sense OF
justice Of our present city Council, they Of
fered again to contribute large sum if the
city would aid them to the extent Of 81 600
to erect good bridge. The city accepted
the proposition, appropriated the $1,000
asked, and the citizens On Madison st. raised
by subscription their amount, Mr.. Hoes hea-
ding the list with 500, Mr.. Armour putting
down $50, Mr.. True $50, Mr.. Richardson
( $50, &c. But now comes the strangest piece
of iinanciering We have ever had in Ottawa.
/ Certain gentlemen on the north side of the
/ canal, among whom is neighbor Hampton,
who has recently bought few marshy acres
/ in that quarter, crnceiye the idea that their
property would be immensely benefited by
a bridge across the canal on Columbus ST. !;
but they never could think of doing as the
Madison st. folks did-pay for it themselves,
or even pay for part of it. So, ashamed to
ask the City alone to build their bridge and
let the Madison st. people pay for theirs, they
got the City Council to remit to the latter
theii subscription, assume the whole cost Of
the bridge, and then vote 81, 900 for "a bridge
on Columbus ST., No wonder such lfnan-
ciers want loan Of 500, 600 to cover con-
tingcncies,
We DO not, however oppose the building
Of a canal bridge on Columbus street, and
no citizen will object TO an appropriation to
build it, at a reasonable cost, if the means
are provided in proper way. But what We
object to, and what we believe as sensible a
business man as Mr.. Hoes will object to, is
that the necessity for 5000 worth Of
bridges shall be made the pretext for loan
Of $4,000. Let the city receive proposals
for tie construction Of these bridges, make
their contract and fix the price, then ask for
a loan TO be devoted exclusively to that OBJ
ject, and 10 objection viii be made to the
loan. But where Is the business man, or
man of sense, who will vie to place 500
900 in the hands CT such city government
as we have had for the last two years, or of
any city government, to be squandered on
on draining Mr.. IIamPtons marsh, or any
such tomfoolery? We should have more Wild
projects started than $780, 900 would ever
complete, and uperintendents, oyerseers,
and managers enough employed to eat up
half the loan in year.
/ As Mr.. Leland is the peculiar candidate Of
the present city board, and his success is
essential to the perpetuation Of their. kind
of rule, We hope the business men and tax
payers, in opposing this reckless and sense
/ less proposition Of Il loan, viii MAKE Il com
mon cause of it to GUST the authors and pro-
moters of the proposed system Of financial
/ bungling.