Northern Ohio journal. [volume] (Painesville, Ohio) 1872-1896, 1873-07-26
The Englne House.


JOURNAL of last week, relative to the
building of the 8. Engine House, a men,
Der of the Council remarked that he s'pre-
sumed the people did not want so eXpen-
sive building, even if they wanted any
at all; but it was too late for them to help
themselves now, as the contracts were all
signed and work had actually CON-
menced" Although the opinion as to the
ability of the people to - help themselves
is far from correct, yet its expression is
significant as showing the feeling which is
apt to actuate those who have in charge
the expenditures and management of pub
lie funds. The Indifference which makes
"eserybody's business nobody's busi-
in every calculation and is relied upon to
insure safety from interference, even
when, as in the present instance, the law
provides way by which such contracts
can be voided, Notwithstanding the fact
that they may be s. all signed - and "Work
actually commenced.'W Whether this feeling
will be sufficiently strong in this case, to
insure the necessary steps to be taken,
remains for others to dicide. AS was
stated last week, we desire simply that
the people shall be made fully acquainted
with the facts. Supposing, or admitting,
for Il moment, that this scheme is entirely
free Fl ON all suspicion of individual man.
ipulation and private jobbing, there are
yet some important questions left for
those managing the matter to answer.
The town paid for the property on st.
Clair street, upon which the new build
ing is to be built, $4,000, including house,
fences and out-bnildings. These last have
been sold for a total sum of $3.50, leaving
the cost of the land 81 ,520. To pay for
this the corporation has sold it's lot on
State street for $3, 500 and contracted to
sell the present engine house and lot for
81 800; in both cases the price obtained
being less than that originally paid. Now
what especial advantage does the new To-
cation offer to compensate for the loss
sustained by the sale of the two pieces of
property above referred to? If it was ab-
solutely necessary to have new engine
house, why was not the property which
the town already owned, on State street,
sufficiently we'll located to answer every
purpose, and not necessitate the sale of
two pieces of land to purchase one Offering
no greater advantages than did one at
least of those disposed of? Why not have
built on State street and have had the pro-
| ceeds of the property by the Conrt House
to assist in paying for the proposed build
ing? Why was it SO advisable to pay
s., GOO for property which had been pur-
chased short time before for Sc, 200 and
for which only $4,000 had been previously
aSEp6S Of thpSn unpStinnS
made upon the first supposition that there
has been no individual scheming for the
purpose of private profit and that the en-
| tire transaction has Deen conducted with
| the most approved desire to serve the in
terests and actual needs of the town. Con-
| cerning them, as pointing to the existence
of such manipulation, we shall have more
| to say hereafter.
But admitting that even these sales and
purchases were made for the best inter
ests of the town, why is a building de-
manded which shall cost nearly Fifteen
Thousand Dollars? OF course there can
| be no allowance made for Town Hall
for that project has been voted down. For
what purpose is the room in the second
story-4sx1O0 feet in size-to be used
| " ndG VI tuOSS
which are contracted for at Fourteen
| Thousand Dollars to be an engine house,
simply, when master mechanics stand
ready to put up Moodey's, Parmely's, or
any other similar block from ten to twelve
thousand? Either the room demanded
for an engine is much more than ordinary
people supposed, when it takes as much
money to provide it as would suffice to
erect a three story brick block with cellar
and ofiices-or there must be great deal
of money expended to secure some.
thing else.
Since our issue of last week, we have
received several notes of inquiry and one
or two communications in regard to this
suggestion contained in one of these
has led to deferring the publication of oul
article, giving more detailed facts, and tt
the present Invitation to any who may fee
interested to write out their views ant
send to us. 1t will make no difference
whether the writers favor or oppose tn,
scheme. We shall be equally glad to hea
from either side. Desiring to benefit tn,
people and to prevent them from having
, having unnecessary burdens of taxation
imposed upon them, we simply wish t
secure such discussion as will serve t
express public opinion. So tar can b
judged from the expressed opinions upo
: the street, there are nine out of every tie
taxpayers in the place opposed to the pre-
ject. We are opposed to it because W
not only believe it an unnecessary an
l. useless expenditure, but because we bt
! lIeve it to have been a scheme devised an
carried through for the benefit and prot
of few favored individuals, who seek
: use the public funds as means to enric
l. themselves. Our reasons for this belief "
{ propose to establish hereafter by the fac
connected with the inception and MAJ
II agement of the schems. But in the mea
time we cordially invite discussion /
: the people themselves.