Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1876-04-01
Reply of Maj. Jno. E. Ryland.

EDITOR lNTEILIGESCER The Register,
N It's last issue, contains all article concern
|pg nv Administration of city affairs during
the wear from June, 1861, 10 June, 1867
which Is calculated to do me great injustice.
[ d. not believe that Col. Denote would
willfully or knowingly m%lsrepresent me for
the reason that l an a democrat, and chair
man of q democratic committee. To pub
wrong Impression, without proper explana-
ton, is u suppression of the truth. and de-
serves as much oensure as the publication of
u falsehood. I cannot believe Col. DeMotte
full understood the import of his article, or
he would not have published it as it appears
In his paper. Thu bonds issued during my |
admin istration as mayor, or at least the
greater portion of them, were renewal
bonds for the purpose of funding the old
Indebtedness of the city and to prevent suits
on the old bonds and their collection by
mandamus.
Mayor Anderson, who succeeded me, in
his message to the city council. reported the
Indebtedness of the city as follows:
Old bonds cancelled and renewed by
Break-water bonds s,4UO 90
kepa1rS on etreetS during year lSbS.... l,06S oO
Total. .S3l ,3l4 As
The work for which the break-waterb bonds
were issued was contracted for under Mr..
Turner's administrator, and this break
water improvement, along with the Gala
booss Improvement, 1 presume, are among
the many mighty works done by Mr.. Tur-
ner, for which Col. DEN claims credit,
and he Is welcome to all the praise they may
bring him.
The objection I take to the article referred
to Is, that 1t Is calculated to lead persons ig-
norant of the facts to believe that the entire
indebtedness, for which the bonds We're is
suei, was created during my administration.
Nothing is further from the truth. L was
elected on the independent union ticket by
a majority of the voters. l did not at all
times agree with measures proposed by the
council, yet l I'M satisfied that the coun.
ell incurred no expenses blu what in their
judgment they deemed necessary for the
welfare of the city. l labored hard to dc
my duty and to assist the council In the dis
charge of Its duty. There is nothing in thu
record of that council for which they hav'
cause to be ashamed. Mr.. John w. Zeiler
at the close of the term of my Office, Offered
q resolution In the counci commenting m,
for fidelity as an officer, and for the faith
full discharge of my official duties, whicl
was carried unanimously. Coming, rs thi
testimonial did, from Mr.. Zeiler, Il pro
nounced republican, 1t afforded me muc
qualification. 1t is well enough for publ
officials to be criticised, their errors polnte,
l out and their wrongful actions condemned
' We are all deeply interested in the manage
ment of our city government. If the demo
cratic party is to be defeated at the mex
June election, let 1t be done, but not by tn
suppression of the truth. Col. Denote,
am sure, will be willing to correct an
false impression his article has produced
Be that as it may, however, l hope. with IN
fellow committee men and the support OF til
people, to present such men tor the yarior
city offices as will insure their election AN
o an honest and efficient democratic admin
~tration. JOHN F.. RYLAND.