Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1880-03-25
The Railroad Appropriation.

The appropriation Of $l2,o 600, by the
3 city, for the purchase of ground fol
Railroad purposes, Is to be voted on al
the April election. We look upon this
appropriation as matter of great i'm
portance to the future of our city. Thus
believing, we should prove derelict to
duty as a public journalist did we not
sustain 1t in every legitimate and hon.
orable way. We have no personal or
private interest In the appropriation.
Our standpoint Is that which should
govern every citizen, the greatest good
to the greatest number. Thus realizing
the responsibility which is placed upon
us in this matter, We propose, to offer
some considerations In behalf Of the
appropriation, which have determined
our action, and which may determine
the action of others.
In the first place there is TO be no abb
solute gift to the Railroad. The law
provides, not a gift, but the purchase
by the city of ground for railroad pur-
and other purposes, to the Railroad
Company. So long as the property is
occupied for that purpose, the Railroad
Company is to have the use of 1t, but
should the Company abandon 1t, then the
city will assume possession and dispose
OF it to the best interests Of the city.
The movement is not, as some i'm
agine, in the interest of the Bailroad
Company. IL is solely in the interest
of the business of the city. 1t is a
movement to secure for the business of
the city eligible depot grounds. The
city says to the Railroad Company, To-
cate your depot, etc., in the city, In
close proximity to the business of the
city, thus affording easy and cheap
transfers of freight, and we will pur-
chase and lease to you proper ground
for that purpose. 1t is purely busi-
ness operation on the part of the city,
and one, In our view, that will pay
large dividends in the increase, not on
lyof the tax duplicate of the city, but
in the development of the business Of
the city.
Vote down the appropriation and you
do an irreparsble injury to the business
Of the city. 1t will go out to the world
that Gallipolis people have no enter
prise, are in fact dead, so dead that the
great business revivalist, the Locomo-
tive, with its laundering tread, cannot
resurrect them. "Old Fogy" will be
the response that will come up from our
neighbors.
II we are illiberal toward the Rail-
road Company, the Railroad Company
may become illiberal toward us. HUI
man nature Is the same everywhere,
whether in the breast of private citi-
zen or In the breast of Railroad Man
ager, and in the associations of this
world we must be governed by 1t, If
we accomplish great results. Young's
Night Thoughts expresses the idea in this
wise:
Hope not to find
A friend, but what has found friend
in thee.
But the truth is, the interests of the
Railroad and the interests of the city
are Identical. The Railroad helps the
growth of the city, and the growth of
the city helps the Railroad. Thus close
ly connected in interest, there should
be harmony in action. By voting
through the appropriation. small as it
is, we place the Railroad Company un-
der obligations to us, and we are sure 1t
will prove as seed sown upon good
ground, come back after many days in
double measure.
Vote against the appropriation, and
you In effect say to the Railroad Com
pany we neither confer or ask favors.
Suppose the Company should take you
at your word, and so arrange the rum
ming Of Its trains as to discriminate
against the business of Gallipolis. What
then? Twelve thousand dollars, COM
pared with the loss we should sustain
by such an operation, would be but as
drop in the bucket. 81
One more consideration, and we close
for this week. Drive the Railroad Com
pany to 90 outside of the city to pur-
chase It's grounds for depot and other
purposes, and what comes of It? Be-
sides the loss to the city tax dupli-
cate, In less than five years the bu-
siness of the city will be taxed in the
way of additional drayage more than
the whole cost Of the appropriation.
And this contingency is not an improba-
bic idea. If the Railroad Company has
to depend altogether upon its own means
to buy depot grounds, it win do as ev-
cry sonsiderate business man would do
under like circumstances, buy where 1t
can buy the cheapest. Suppose 1t finds
the cheapest property in the neighbor-
hood of Mill Greek, would that be prof.
table to the city? So.
All these things, and many more which
will readily suggest themselves to think
ing minds, must be considered In the
settlement of this question, for they le-
Ultimately hang upon the result, and
all that we ask is that they may be con.
sidered alone in the light Of what isths
best for the city and Its business inter
ests. ~
The following letter deserves con
Alteration in this connection:
CoLUABUs, O., March Goth, 1880.
JOHN A. HAMILTON, Esq, Gallipolis
o.
Dear Sir: On the revival of tn
Columbus Il Gallipolis enterprise, en-
couragemert was given that the Cit.
Of Gallipolis would furnish ampl
depot and terminal facilities. Will
this understanding the constructio:
COMPANY did not assume any obliga