The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-09-06

W. E~-f~S 80 AA "a POA1O ~
several magnificent school houses
were erected, and one hundred and
fifty thousand dollars expended in the
way of bounty, in order to Sc
cure substitutes for Democrats,
who were opposed to fighting
the Lincoln Abolition war" With
all these gigantic improvements, the
rate of tao ltion during the nine years,
on an average, s0os less per year than
during the preceding three years OF
Democratic NAL administration. The
improvement and growth of the city
was most astounding. Be it remem-
bered that these nine years of RePub
lican management were sustained by
the JOURNAL and opposed by the De-
mocracy and its organs. The increase
of the indebtedness of the city during
this time, with all these improve
ments, was about $4,000.
Well, in 1868. By the assistance OF
two or three hundred imported voters,
the Democracy defeated the Republi-
cans, and onee more took charge ofthe
city's affairs, and have substantially
had charge ever since.
In April. 1868, when the Republic
can administration went out and the
Democracy came In, the indebtedness
of the city was $412,68 81. During
the year expenditures were largely
Increased, and taxation advanced from
one per cent, the average of the pre-
ceding nine years. to one dollar and
fortv cents on the 500 valuation. on a
very high appraisement. At the con-
clusion of this year of Democratic
Encouragement, which resulted in
largely increasing the city debt, par
tial change was made in the admins
tration by the election of a majority
of Republicans on the City Coun-
Gil. These Republicans strug-
gled hard to carry out the ira
ditional policy of their predeces-
sors, during the nine years Mayor
Baker held Office, and were par
TALLY successful. They did, indeed,
succeed in reducing the expenses of
the city, decrease the appraisement of
real estate, and largely reduce taxation,
and at the same time so managed the
floating debt of the city as to materi-
ally improve the value of its outstand-
ing orders.
Last April the Democracy again
succeeded in getting entire control of
the city. The NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of
affairs is already partly but only par
tally known to the tax payers. Mo-
ney has been tquandered right and
left, the valuation of property has
been fixed at fictitious figures,
aud the entire city is being rapidly
hurried towards the vortex of repu-
diatiou. The JOURNAL has struggled
hard to prevent the catastrophe
which tho Courier and its hairbrained
advisers seem SO anxious to bring
about. The indebtedness of the city
is being increased at a most alarming
rate, and extravaganza and reckless
ness characterize every department of
the city's affairs. by their fruits ye
shall know them" Therefore, it is
with pride that we point to the nine
years of Republican administration
of the affairs of Evansville, and by
them ask to have our efforts in behalf
of the credit Of the city measured.
We shall not cease to denounce the
extravaganza and unlawful acts of
the present Council. as they are per-
pe:rated. In that way alone can we
hope to save the city from the repu-
diation gulf, in which the Democrats
seem resolved to plunge her. We
shall strike hard and spare not. If
our blows reach and hurt the con-
spirators, who are plotting the ruin of
the city in order that they may crafty
their personal ambition, or add to
their individual wealth-as the ago
niziug cries Of their mouth piece. the
Courier, seem to indicative are all
the more encouraged to lay on the
harder.
We ask the tax payers of Evansville
to think of the facts, which can not
be successfully controverted, that
we have given. and determine for
themselves who it is that is running
the credit of the city.