The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1875-04-28

! to build railroad shops in this city, is
supremely false, and superbly foolish.
Whatever prospects we now have OF
railroad shops here, whatever steps
have been taken toward securing a
site for them, and preparing it for
their erection, is the legitimate result
and direct consequence of the arduous
labors that l, with others, so diligent
ly prosecuted for weeks in the spring
and summer of 1872 True, other
| men faithful and diligent in promoting
the city's welfare, have done a great
and good work in devising urging and
carrying out measures to induce the
companies to fulfill the bargain to
build shops here. which they made
with the city in 1872. Whatever sue
cess these gentlemen have met with is
due to the fact that stringent and
binding contract was made by the city
with these railroad companies in 1872,
and but for the contract made then
nothing could be done now, and no
man labored harder or more success
fully to conclude that bargain than
myself.
Now to suppose that I would use
my Influence to release these parties
who are to build the shops from their
obligation which |, and my coadjutors
have labored SO long and so hard to
establish, is to suppose an absurdIty
SO great as to be excelled only by its
falsity.
l was for building the shops in 1872
as the very best thing that could be
done for the city. 1 have been for
building the shops every day from
that hour to this, and shall continue
to insist that the shops shall be built
according to contract, from this mo-
ment until they are built.
4th. Having already, in my letter
accepting the nomination, expressed
my unity with the sentiments con-
tanned in the resolutions adopted by
the convention which nominated me,
it can scarcely be necessary to say
more here, than that the idea incor-
porated in those resolutions is, with
me, not mere idle thought. but
fixed principle of action. While as
sisting to manage the financial affairs
OF the city, when in the Council my
purpose was to raise as much money
by taxation as was necessary 10 pay
our current expenses, and discharge
our obligations to others who had
lent us money on the pledged faith of
Tue CItS tudt sue WOulu lIOul year To
year levy taxes sufficiens to pay the
interest as it became due and provide
sinking fund that will meet the
principal at maturity. And that the
city has not only met all her obliga-
tions promptly, but has paid, within
the year. many thousands of dollars
of bonded indebtedness, and still has
money in her treasury to pay more
bonded indebtedness, is unquestion-
ably due to the operation of measures
inaugurated while [ was member of
Council, and in the preparation of
which l took an active part.
My policy now would be to appro-
pirate every dollar in the treasury that
can be spared for that purpose, to the
reduction of the city debt, and then
levy just SO much tax as would pay
necessary current expenses OF the city
government conducted on true eco
nomical principles, meet accruing in
terest, and keep up the sinking funds,
according to our financial engage.
ments and plighted faith.
l suppose that our citizens all un-
derstand that the only reason our city
taxes now exceed one per cent. is be-
cause we are paying annually twenty
five per cent. of the expense Of trans
ferring the county seat from Centre
vile to this city, and that this heavy
draft on our treasury will continue
but two years more.
Hoping these answers will meet the
purpose you sought to attain in writ
ing the letter to which this is a reply.
l remain, respectfully,
JAS. f. HJBRERD.