The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19
SOUNDING PUBLIC OPINION
Interviews with Citizens Show that
Proposed Appropriation Popular.
Benefits, They Argue, Accrue to All, and the
Expense Should Be Borne by All-City
Disgraced, il Ii Fail Now.

Those with whom a Journal reporter was
busy yesterday in ascertaining the force of
public support of the proposition to have
the city appropriate $4,000 for the Grand
Army encampment had bat little opposl-
tion to express What opposition was
manifested weakened perceptibly when it
was realized that the appropriation offered
the fairest and speediest method of reach
Ing the end desired. Objection seemed to
rest on antagonism the idea of taxation
always creates. but it did not
exist when the question of sue
cess or failure of the enterprise
was presented. Their pride in the city and
State was touched, the fear of disgrace in
failing to meet all that hospitality de-
manded being more powerful than the
wish to contend against q measure that
imposed the slightest possible burden. 1t
seems there has been q good deal Of igur-
ing by individuals to find out what each
would have to pay under the proposed tax
They found that it amounted comparative
Iy to nothing. Individual pay ment would
be but q drop In the bucket. they
have learned. On the other hand.
if the appropriation Is not made
they see the heavy burden of
payment will fall on q few rho are always
ready with time and means to advance the
city's interests. while many whose place
should be at the front Turk IN the rear and
profit on the expenditure of others. That
is the modified phase of opposition. which.
as whole, really amounts to nothing.
But there 10 another small class that
holds to the belief the fund should be
raised by subscription. However. they are
knocked out when asked what as
surances they have In the experience
wide-awake. progressive citizens have gone
through III trying TO raise money by that
means for public entertainments. IJ drives
them to criticism that is more mphatioally
used by the majority who support the APP
preparation. on the reluctance or refusal OF
those who can give but Will not So, after
all, there are points of agreement between
the few who oppose the appropriation and
the very many who support 1t. Ii the
money cannot be raised any other way. say
some OF the opponents, they are willing to
fall in with the crowd and give the PROPOSE
tion tneir voice. If the matter lies between
q disgraceful failure of caring for the en-
campment and glorious success Others OF
the minority say let the appropriation be
made. No one reIIshes the suggestion that
If this question Is not soon settled the en-
campment may be taken else " here. There
is point of unity there that causes the
klckers to take in their sails and coincide
not be a good place TO live In II such step
was ordered by the national officers of the
Grand Army of the Republic.
That is about the position those who talk
the progressive side of the matter. when
the great number who are willing the
city should pay out S75, 900 for the encamp-
ment can be found. They have but one
opinion. and that they express with
credit of the State. hospitality
due the old soldier and to
put indianapolis alongside of if not
ahead of all other cities that
have entertained the encampment they say
tine appropriations should be made. APP
preparations for this purpose have been
generously awarded by every other city
ths veterans many thousands strong have
visited. They urge. then why should Indi-
annapolis hang back. 1t is no trouble to get
such expressions as the following q Journal
reporter obtained on Washington street
yesterday:
+. NJ. Heron. jeweler-I have signed q
petition to Council asking tor the appro-
priatiOn. If the benefits are to be general
the public should pay for them. 1t is the
easiest method by which the money can be
obtained and none could be more just.
Since We have invited the soldiers here 1t
is not decent to talk of how their enter
tainInent should be paid for.
John Norris boots and shOes-We have in
vited the Grand Army of the United States
to come here and 1T is incumbent on US to
give 1t q whole-souled welcome. l am in
favor of appropriations by city and State
for that purpose.
Judge James b. Black-The city ought to
grant the sum desired. That ought to be
done for the credit of Indianapolis and it can
be done legally. There should be enough
loyalty here to sustain the appropriation
without questioning in the least whether
it should be made or not. 1t should be
granted as an appreciation of the old
nd q nf hai ruio
The sum. compared with the benefit the
city will derive from the encamp-
ment, Is small. indianapolis ought
to to be- glad a,,. OF ., having the en-.
TO entertain 1t this year. but the national
officers of the Grand Army were most kind
Is disposed towards Us. and placed the en-
campment here. Even now 1t can he taken
at Washington asking for the encampment
that would not gladly receive 1t. The Hp-
preparation should be made because even
| if IL were possible to secure the SUN de-
sired By subscription IL would be unjust to
place upon the gentlemen who are giving
all their time to the interests of the
campment without cost the task of raising
| the money. 1t would be great disgrace to
| have Indianapolis fail now.
James NJ. Winters. lawyer-I do not see
| why the appropriation should not be
made. There Is reason why the city
| should stand back In this matter. Twenty.
five years ago, when there was q disposition
| to measure everything of q public benefit
| according to the strict letter of the law.
| opposition to the appropriation might not
| have been so much out OF place, but we are
| progressive now, and are ready TO concede
much to progress. 1t may not be just the
| legal thing for the national government to
| appropriate millions for the worlds fair at
Chicago, but If it was not done
| it would be retarding an educational bene-
| fit to the country. The encampments of
| the Grand Army are of social benefits aside
| from the consideration of financial advan.
tage-cites gain by having them in their
| midst. They give life to q place and there
| is no good argument why city shOuld not
| give Its money so 1t can enjoy every bene-
| fit that attends great gathering OF the
kind. | have signed the petition to COun-
| ell asking that the appropriation be made.
j. L. Frankem, stoves-l am in favor of
| the appropriation. The money cannot be
raised more readily or with greater justice
| to all. as ell are to share in whatever bene.
! fits that may come from the encampment.
Stal aker nf N lr g.