The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-27
THE CITY ELECTION.


the pending contest for city offices. AS a
rule, the question of dollars and cents is
strong enough to arouse the interest of every
one involved without urging. The City
Council and Board of Aldermen, and the Off
GERS to be chosen on the general ticket, are
of more importance to the taxpayers of In
dianapolis than is the governorship or con-
gressional or presidential elections, to be de-
cided year hence Where the general or
State government expends cents, the city
government expends dollars of the tax paid
by the people, and the conduct of municipal
affairs has to do with the everyday life of
every citizen. There should be, and we hope
there will be, the fullest possible vote cast
on Tuesday, the 9th of October. Surely, in
the light of the facts of experience, there
need be no special plea made for the election
of the Republican candidates. For more
than twenty years. with the exception of
very brief period, the Republican party has
been in control of the city government, aud
it has certainly given fairly good adj
ministration, during which the city has
been almost uniformly prosperous. The ex-
ception noted was when the Democratic
party temporarily obtained power, under
the specious promise of economy and re-
FORM" and their record left in city admins
tration, in the profigate expenditure of
money, in the increase of taxation, and in
the creation of debt was such as to pre-
vent the return Of that party to
power, no matter how profuse their pleas
The Democracy took charge Of the city
government in May, 1874, the Republicans
leaving balance in the treasury Of $685.
67078. Daring the first year of their con-
troll they expended the sum of 81, 275, 900, in
only 11661.58. During the second year of
their control they collected the sum of ST.,
213, O97.11, every cent of which they spent,
and left the treasury in debt to
the amount of 500, 1921 During
this time city warrants were passed
about the streets, Endorsed mot paid
for want of funds,' and workingmen were
compelled to accept them for labor at ninety
cents on the dollar The people soon got
enough of this sort of administration and so
soon as possible put the Republican party
back into power. AS result, from May, 1876,
to May, 1877 the first year of Republican
rule, the expenses of the city government
amounted to sos, O12.O1,7 the Republicans
paying the deficit left by the Democrats, and
having surplus in the treasury of $685.
248.30 The second year of their return to
power the expenditures aggregated $617 $780,
IS, being less than one-half of those under
Democratic rule. For the fourth year of Re
publican rule, ending May, 1880, the reve-
nues were 1854, 543.39 of which balance of
1856, $1,000 was left in the treasury at the end
can rule ending May, 1881, the revenues
were 1886, 3S1 03, of which balance of $4OS.-
7O08S was left in the treasury at the end of
the year. For the sixth year of Republican
rule ending May. 1882, the receipts were
81, O69 S2733. Balance left in the treasury,
$685. 71486 The seventh year of Republican
rule ending May, 1883, receipts, 81, OO1, S53.-
SO. Balance left in the treasury at the end
of the year was 1920, 339.67.
AS is well known, the Democracy increased
the rate of taxation to $780, and the tax du-
plicate amounted to over sixty millions of
dollars. This is the record of Democratic
economy and reform" 1t is the only fact
we have to go on in estimating the propri-
ETY. of returning the party
to power. Is there any man
of sound mind who will say or think
that the Democratic party to-day, under the
islature infamous forever in history, and
which has conducted the disgraceful raid
upon the benevolent institutions of the State,
would improvesa jot or title upon the.record
of the party ten years ago? Can the tax
payers or citizens of Indianapolis afford to
pass the city treasury over into the hands
of the representatives of that party? That
is the question to be discussed and decided
within the next ten days. 1t is possible to
answer it in the Affirmative by neglecting the
dsty of voting. If all the people vote there
is DO danger not the slightest, of such a
catastrophe. But every vote is needed. Mr..
A. and Mr.. B., will you vote on Tuesday, the
9th of October?
THERE is question of economy in the old
ticket movement that should not be over