Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-05-30
DAVENPORT, IOWA WEDNESDAY MORNING. MAY so $780,

DAVENPUKI, lUl
VlRBA1Ix REPoRrING.-If any of our
exchanges dssise to secure sesSss;m reports Of
political speeches and discussions during the
Presidential campaign. they can do 20 % sp-
plicstion to Mr. ". H. jenkins. Of Dsvsnposs.
NJ. is . good verbatim reporter. and In bic
eo~dss.asioss. 10 excelled BY few. While re-
dseiog the e~os.s Of matter. BY the rejection
Of ell that il eom mon-plses. trivial and uninter
ceiling, be preserves the chain Of argument un-
broken. prssnts al the "poists" psomiasntIy.
and that. too. 10 the language Of the spsAksrs.
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FATHER DoSELAN.-TLe Rock Island
Rssistsv. With grsst truth. ssys that "our read
ers. whether Protestants OF Catholics. will re-
gret to learn that Rev. John Dooslan, for the
past four years the pastor of the Catholic
church 10 this city. has been called 70 saother
field Of labor. and has slrsady taken his de-
par,urs This announcement viii ssuss peo-
found sorrow to the hosts Of iriends Of the
Reverend gentlsmsa in this city. who have
learned TO love him for his many adnirsbls
trsits OF character. But Rock Islands lose
will be Roektord's gain. for ~ faithful pastor
and eloquent platform speaker. Father John
has but few equals In the American pulpit"
THE TAX QussTIoN-Editors Demo-
crat sMd Ns,cs As the editors OF the 0sxefte
have rsfased me . hearing through their col
umns. in reply TO . eommuoisstioa on this im-
portant subject. which appears in their paper
ofto-day, and vh oh communication vss writ.
ten BY city official. am compelled to seek
your selumss, tor an opportunity TO defend the
rights Of the tax payers in . matter Of such
importance. and am happy TO know. Aessrs.
editors. that your columns are always open for
fair discussion on oil such topics. The commu-
nication in the Gasetts gives the people to un-
derstand In plain terms that those who ore
forced to pay their taxes promptly. because
they have personal property that can Be levied
upon BY the Marshal. are expected to beer all
the burdens. ana hereafter pay all tie tazss. .thst
are necessary to be raised because forsoosh,
certain other parties are willing to submit to .
Law suit for the purpose of gaining time
l had no idea that such . doctrine
would ever be proclaimed in the city Of Daven.
port. and sm now convinced that nv course
in opposition to this outrageous tax. is the
only true position to be taken. l am heartily
glad the investigation has been commenced for
desire it invsstigsted. that it may be seen
whether am right or wrong In the matter.
First. then. Messrs Eiitors, the assessment.
as reported by the finance committee. 10 three
million. five hundred and forty thousand dol
lars. Add to this the two million dollars Of
railroad mortgage. &c., which the assessor in
forms me is yet to be added, and the 100
shares Of the gas company stock At 20 per cent
on the share. and ws have au assessment Of Eve
million. FIVE hundred and sixty.two thousand,
tss sea .o00) dollars. which at thirteen mills on
the dollar. will make s7s. 800. y. :. raissd by
taxation. Nov I ask, what do the finance
committee propose to do With sueh . sum Of
money, (aod 10 slluding to the finance commit
tss. do not refer to Aid. L. Claire, who is op-
posed to thirteen mill tsx)
There Is $4,000 Of the tax Of 1859 vet nm.
collected. besides several thousand dollars Of
tax Of 1858. and not i~els ding TIE t2s. 900 rail
road matter. tor which . .u,t has been com.
menced.
The above amount Of uncollected taxes eev.
saia1y Ought to pay of the floating debt which
10 less taan 5000. - sppsars from the report
Of the finance committee presented last spring.
Then We have. If ~ msst pay txH insersss o.
bonds) the sum Of $29 $50 to collect for inter-
ct on our bonded debt for this year.
Our current city expenses ought not and will
not exceed $1,000. and with these We have %
the amount necessary to raise, including tell
istevest. the sum Of ss5,s5O. And yet it is
now proposed TO levy q tax Of more than
double that amount.
Again. the City Council have no right to
levy tax Of three mills for road purposes. un-
less the came be expended upon the streets, and
TIE City Coancil have no right to use such tax
(if levied) for the payment Of road fund debt,
- the payment Of that debt should come
from . maesdamising tar. and not genera
road tar
Gentlemen may charge that my "ap peal
means reputation" but have advocated no
such doctrine. I now cay, however, that
believe that il an earnest appeal were made to
our bond holders. through some party not in.
tsrsstsd in the bonds that the holders Of those
bonds would see that it 10 to their interest to
accept five per cent. annual interest :or three
years; BY 20 doing. they would give the pee
pie OF Davenport chance to recover from the
financial pressure. and aid them In their efforts
TO place our city In . prosperous condition
again This and this oaly vill increase the
value Of their bonds. and they cannot fail TO
zee that such l. the fact. I am therefore in
favor Of lsvying such tax now. - will psy the
bond ho ders Eve per cent interest. believing
that they will accept that. and thereby relieve
our tax payers Of heavy burden In times
like these.
Again ask Tor vhst vs do nssd thirteen
mill tag. believe the people will answer. "
mstd no such tas for tie ysss 1850.
G. A. HAvILANp.
Davenport. May goth.
MlvEK items.
Tuesday, My u. 1854.
ARslvED
KAfs CAssDIL, Hilihouse, Aoatrose,
WI. l.. EwlHo, Rhodes, IT. Louis.