Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-01-31
THE CITY'S FINANCES.
A showing-up of the Uncalled-for
and Abusive Libels Sent out by the


News.
1t has not been the REFLECTOR's in
tention to notice the articles which
have been appearing in the Dickinson
County News from time to time, de-
rogatory to the city's officials and falsely
stating the condition of the city
finances. Its limited circulation and
the utter insigniicance of its opinions
have been its defense from reply. Since,
however, it has become so virulently
abusive and is so prejudicing its read
ers and the outside world, wherever 1t
may reach, against our city, we deem
if advisable to mention one or two OF
its SANDERS as showing the calibre OF
the antediluvian and befo'-de-wah
character of the lying ignoramus who
is seeking to brake the wheels OF Abb
lene's progress.
In the last issue of this little one
horse sheet occur these words:
No city official can tell the amount
of the outstanding or floating indebted
ness of the city. Is that the proper
way to run city?
The city council should appoint a
committee to investigate the financial
condition of the city. There seems to
be the most lamentable ignorance ID
official circles regarding the condition
of the city's finances.
The News, inspired by jealousy OF
else by idiocy, states in these words
what it and every resident of the city
knows to be a deliberate falsehood'
The News has made no pretence of try
ling to find out the state of the clty's
finances. Had 1t done so it could have
found from the treasurer, mayor or any
city official the exact financial standing
of the city to penny at moments
notice. The books lie open for the in
spection of the public and anyone so
disposed may examine them. More
than that, the mayor and other officials
can give an inquirer the state of affairs
off-hand at any time. 1t is only pro-
fessional and chronic liar that will
state otherwise,
The News animus in this matter is
too plainly discernible. 1t is bowling
about the city council, decrying the
efforts of the mayor and other officials,
clamoring for the doing away with the
electric lights, waterworks and street
improvements, discussing the granting
of liquor licenses and all such rot in
typical South Carolina style, simply
and solely for the purpose of making
the people dissatisfied with the present
management of the city's affairs so
that Democratic mayor and Demo-
cratic councilmen may be elected.
AS matter of fact Abilene was
never in better shape than it is today.
The bonds that it carries are those
given by the expressed will of the peo-
pie and they have secured US two adj
ditlonal railroads as we'll as other met
ropolitan advantages which we would
never have acquired under the back
woods regime proposed by these gfum-
blers.
The present officials are doing their
best to keep down tbs expenses of the
city government and no place of equal
size in Kansas is run more economic
ally. The Indebtedness Of the city is
all on long time and while at present
it is not perhaps best to add to its
burdens by voting any more bonds,
there is nothing to be alarmed at. The
city taxes are levied upon an assess
ment of about one-fourth the actual
value of property and hence the rate of
taxation is really only one-fourth that
claimed by the News.
Abilene could make no greater mis-
take than to follow the suicidal policy
preached by our contemporary. Stand
ing as we do at the opening of a year
of prosperity and advancement for the
Suntiower State, we must not decry
our advantages nor proclaim to the
world that Abilene is in dire straits
when the facts do not warrant it
when, indeed, they rather emphasize
her prosperity.
There is much Indignation expressed
throughout the city at the bad name
the News is trying to fasten upon Abb
lene and that sheet will find that it is
making enemies and no friends by its
defamatOry course. From no other
city in Kansas does such wall as the
News sends out go forth, though dozens
OF cities are in worse condition and
have less resources than Abilene. "It
is only foul bird that will defile its
own nest" and it is only a brainless
newspaper that will with lies and false
figures defame the city that supports
it.
An Able Official.