The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-08-13

aHd com
plcte failure of the Straight Line
Railroad Company, a suit was brought
in the Vanderburgh Circuit Court
against the City upon its subscription
of 500, 900 towards said Road, and of
which subscription 100000 of city
bonds remained TO be issued. The
City stoutly contested the suit in its
various stages, through the lower and
Supreme Court of the State, and 1t
was thought to have been finally dis
posed of in favor Of the City in
the Gibson Circuit Court, where it was
sent on change Of venue. The plain
tiffs, however, revived the suit
in the United States Circuit
Court. but it., did not at first
appear to be very formidable; but of
late, in the opinion of the able and
learned counsel employed by the City,
itassumed very dangerous aspect,
facts being developed which would
make a judgment against the city
almost certain. The condition of the
suit being represented to the City
Council, without any differences of
opinion, that body authorized the at
torneys for the city, Governor Con-
RAD BAKER and Senator THOMAS A.
HENDRICKS to make the best compro-
mise they could with the plaintiffs. If
Judgment had been rendered by the
Court, against the city, after trial, the
amount of the judgment would have
been for more than $4,000, includ-
ing interest from the time of the sub
scription Of stock, costs of suit, &c.
As we have already stated, the COM
promise effected was for decree and
judgment against the city Of 500, 900;
Sc, 900 of this amount is to be by note
at ninety days; and for the remaining
$4,000, seven per cent. city coupon
bonds will be issued to the plaintiffs.
one half payable in 1875, and one-half
IN 1910. go -tt ID -t-
Such is the termination of this
long, pending and much discussed
question. All of us could wish that
it should have been otherwise. But it
is vain to indulge. repinings over that
which could not be avoided. or vainly
wish to change the past. The City
has, from the beginning, employed
the best counsel at its command, and
the case has been, it was thought,
ably managed at every stage .sof its
progress. Now that the suit is over,
there may be those who will be ready
to point out errors committed. Look
ing back from the present stand point,
it is possible that better course for
the City to have pursued may by some
be detected. Bat as to the merits of
the immediate compromise just effect
ed, there is no difference of opinion
among those who are conversant with
the facts, and competent to judge.
The City Council have unanimously
ratified it, and are glad that it is
no worse. We would all be glad to
avoid the burdens of taxation which
it brings with it, but as that cannot
be. we have only to accept it with
good grace. and honestly and promptly
maintain our present high credit. The
rapid growth of our population, and
the astonishing increase of our tax.
able wealth, will make the burden
much more lightly borne than would
be under less favorable circumstances.
We, might in this connection in
dulge in some remarks upon the old
Straight Line Railroad controversy,
which so strongly suggest themselves
to us as they will to our readers, but
It is better to bury that in-the past
with the termination of this suit.
Let US address ourselves to the busy
present, and the future so suspicious
for our growing city. If we are true
to ourselves and our destiny, we can
easily and readily redeem our obi
cations, and profting by the ex-
peTiences of the past, act more wisely
for the future.