New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-13
LETTERS From THE PEOPLE.

ISSUES IN THE EVANSVILLE ELECTION.
To the Edttor Of The Tribune.
SIR: In yesterdays TRIBUNE, commenting
upon tho April elections it is stated that the success OF
the Democratic ticket In EyansS lle Ind triumph
for population.
The city of Evans vile Is incorporated under charter
antedatng the present state Constitution. Among
other provisions of the charter is limiting the levy
for taxation to rs the hundred dollars for all
purposes" At the time Of the incorporation OF Evans
vile as city her population only little more than
5000 As the city grow 1t became apparent that tho
levy limited by the charter would not produce Sufficient
for the improve ments rendered necessary Dy her
rapidly increasing commercial Importance by common
consent therefore, the clause in the charter was ignored
and the levy increased until at time was as
high as 81 60 on the hundred dollars During the war
and the years Immediately following, money was plenty
and the people OF Evansville voted large sums OF money
to several railroad projects The total sum voted for ra-
roads was In the neighborhood OF 81 100000 Notwth-
standing that the railroads thus aided In every
instance violated their contracts the people OF Evans
vile continued submit to illegal taxation that tho
good faith Of the city should suffer by default OF
the interest ON bonds but the times grew harder
and money less plenty. there began 10 De threats ~
some taxpayers OF enforcing that provision OF ths
charter limiting the levy To prevent this tue Legsa-
ture was appealed TO, and an amendment TO tue city
charter was passed giving the city the right to levy
81 so on the hundred dollars For Several years the
city has been collecting taxes under that amendment
It was not until the Supreme Court OF the State declared
that the Legislature could not amend city charter
that the people of Evansville discovered that the amend
ment their charter increasing the power OF the CouD-
oil to lay taxes was void.
Under this decision tho city cannot levy tax TO ex-
coed rs cents on the hundred dollars The revenue pro-
duoed by that levy not sufficient TO defray tho ex-
penses the city government economically allnnls-
tered, and the annual interest account or Sl0i,p)o
Mayor Bridwell, after consultation with the Leading
business .and bankers OF both parties, visited New
YORK called meeting OF the cts creditors and having
fully explained the situation proposed the issue OF long
time redemption bonds bearing cent interest to 10
given in exchange for the and 3-l0s now held Dy
them What else could he do When the resources OF
city are determined by law what more can the people 90
than make revenues as far as possible toward
the discharge OF their obligatiODsi
The Democracy OF Evansville were not alone IN sup
porting Mayor BrdwelPs proposition. Both parties In
their platforms declared in favor OF reducing the inter-
est while many Of the leading Republican bankers and
business men openly supported the Democratic ticket
The Of trads is always has been aud ever VIII DO.
much and give as little In business transac,
ton the law sanctions Evansville has not repdei
any part her debt principal or interest nor VIII she
She will stand on her legal rights, whatever they
may She had nothing to do with bringing about tho
decision Of the Supreme Court OF the state OF Indiana
which precipitated this crisis In her affairs but she
bound by that decision and will shape her conduct by It,
q. w. SHASKLIS.
Washington, d. @ ;, April 5, 1888.