The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1871-05-13

Ex-Nayor's s.Repors."
We have only room for the fol-
lowing extracts from the lengthy
''last card" Of the late Mayor
Comment from us is unnecessary
the reader will be sure TO make his
own. He "arises to explain" as
follows:
Ossslsmss of the Common Council:
Two years ago / assumed the
duties Of the Office of Mayor of
this city. The hour has arrived
which terminates those duties
Then / looked forward to the re.
sponsibilities imposed on me and
could only promise that l should
honestly and faithfully endeavor
to discharge the obligations Of my
official OATH Now l look back
over my flicial term, and examine
my record and my conscience to
see whether have satisfied myself
and dealt honestly and faithfully
with the people who confidcd this
trust to me, aud whether I have at
all times ;abored to subserue the
hest interests Of this beautiful.
wealthy and prosperous city. /
find peace, coed order and quiet
reignine within her borders, and l
know of that which I affirm when
say, that during the last two
years no city OF the population of
ours in the country, has enjoyed o
greater degree Of good order and
submission to law. 1t ia true. as
in every other community there
have been serious violations of the
law, and disturbances Of the pub
lie peace and some Of these be
ing of q sensational character,
we're eagerly seized upon exsgera-
ted and circulated, for purposes as
various as are the designs Of men.
Sometimes the motives was found
in politicalintrigue. and as often
in religious intolerance; sometimes
in fanatacism, and as often malice;
while others were actuated by
mere love Of excitement, and
morbid admiration for che sensa-
tional. Yet, looking back. to day,
in the light of the present, ] sub
init to . candid public whether
these noted cases Of disorder might
not have happened in any commu-
nifty, and could not have been pre-.
vented by any possible vigilance
on the paat of the municipal au-
-thorities. When it is remembered
that all the cases of shooting, and
nearly all the cases Of ensation-
al scandal, had for the principal
actors men claiming great personal
riety, / submit whether il was in
the power of the Police Depart
ment, or in the executive, to have
anticipated and prevented these
occurrences.
The ex-Mayor, speaks highly of
the police department Of this city,
and. also, the fire department.
,COmmends the Water works sys-
TEN, now under consideration here,
as being in every way advantage
~ous to the city. Lands the street,
alley, sidewalk and crossing i'm
provements---,he gas light and
public schools. Speaks highly Of
the efficacy OF our laws, and or
~dinances, which he. by ''great labor
and patient research" &C., had
rescued from chaotic confusion.
He expresses himself well satisfied
with the financial affairs of the
city, as being 'in very favorable
,cond ton; and then he has this
important revelation to make about
the
LIQUOR LICENCES.
The most difficult subjects of
Legislation are those relating to the
suppression and regulation of evils
having their origin in the appe-
titles, passions, and pleasures of
the people. For hundreds OF years
men have legislated to control,
regulate and suppress the evils of
intemperance; and yet, aside from
the great moral forces that have
been employed. no adequate rene
.dy has been found, or, at least,
none has been successfully applied.
The Common Council of this city,
not to-be behind in experiments,
enacted an ordinance sometimes
called the $500 license law, which,
its friends hoped would accom-
,plish the great end for which the
civilized world were patiently wait.
ing. Some of us, who had observ.
ed the fact, that In Republican
Governments, where the people at
their pleasure enact and repeal
laws, and make and unmake law
makers, thought We saw that any
Jaw or ordinance which attempted
to reacl. beyond the the public
sentiment of the people, must, of
necessity, fail to accomplish any
good, and become dead letter"
IN the statues. Experience has
convinced US that this ordinance
has proved no exception to the
general and inevitable rule. We
have tried it nearly two years, and
all will admit that it has not shut
up single saloon. prevented the
sale Of q single gill OF liquor, or
promoted q single principle of pub
lie morality, nor has it added a