The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-01-23
G. A. r. ENCAMPMENT FUNDS
What indianapolis People Think OF the
Enabling Act in the Legislature.
Citizens Of all Shades Of Political Belief
Unanimous in Thinking IL Proper that
the City Should Vote the Money.

The bill pending IL the Senate enabling
the City Council TO appropriate 49, O0 for
Grand Army encampment expenses is gen.
orally approved In the discussion of it by
pre- .uinent and progressive citizens, who
are willing TO meet whatever exactions
hospitality demands. Now that Indian
aDOlIs Is to have the encampment 1t Is
deemed out of place to turn back upon
what recommends itself as the best and
most equitable plan OF meeting expenses OF
the encampment. 1t is regarded that inc
only thing TO do 10 to support hos
pitality with fund that Will not
drive it TO niggardliness or the
doing out of dollar here and there as If
each caused groan or expression Of de-
spair. "You can always find some one here
10 grumble," said q wlde-awke and pro-
gressive citizen yesterday. "A lack OF har-
monious effort In whatever promises well
for the city has kept Indianapolis back.
Do you think Chicago could accomplish
what she has done If such spirit had pre-
vailed theref 1t IS the united interests
and zeal there that have made that city the
wonder of the world. There are five or SIX
citizens In Chicago who lead and
plan and the rest support them
without question or hesitancy. The
industry and public-spiritedness of these
citizens Is conveyed to ell, and when Chi
cago wants anythi-- she gets it, and is
willing TO pay fol- II. Nor does the State or
Illinois stop to talk about Chicago being
local, and that she should care for her own.
If that city wants help in enterprise the
State gives it. If that city wants to do
nythlng her citizens do not weep over the
cos or blacken hospitality by telling the
worl ID 1t Is expensive and hard to pay tor"
That was the cOlOring given to the ex-
pres sions of citizens yesterday with
whom q Journal reporter talked rela-
tive to the best way of raising money
for he Grand Army encampmenL Ii the
ple, of popular subscription was suggested
as one avoiding all opposition the senti-
ment was that while the money required
might be secured in that way it would fall
np9n the few ;,; every one mel, IN dndianaPS-
out missing it In the least would
give q Bum anywhere from $50 to
$1,000 i would not favor the plan OF
taxation. But we have had sufficient
who can give will not give. 1t would be
the few, therefore. who would bear the
great expense, while many. without pay
ing, would get the benefit. That would
button of expenses in connection with the
Grand Army encampment that the bill en-
Aiding the city to appropriate $4,000 is
urged"
cedent such an appropriation would set.
but there was no besitancy in supporting
the ball on that account. IL is strongly in
sisted by many that IL cannot be cOnsid.
cred a precedent. for q great national
reunion of soldiers Is q thing which occurs
but once in the history of q city. or State.
and is 90 be regarded wholly alone. The
gentlemen touching on that point were
willing TO let the future take care of itself.
what we have TO consider now" said one
of them, lis how we can most easily pay
the expenses of the encampment. 1t is
coming here. and now az vs. have to do is
TO take care of 1t, no matter What it costs.
To fail In this would bring a cloud upon
Indianapolis from which she could never
escape"
the simple proposition in this bill is that
for two years only the citizens Of Indian
spOlls, upon their taxable property, shall
pay enough to cover the appropriation of
S75 900. That will place q levy of IA cents
on the 500 the first year and less the second
year.
"This tax" said County Auditor Taggart,
fall upon the duplicate of each year. which
for the city will amount to S9S, 0O0, 900. The
IA cents on 500 would be S45 on the $780,
900 or $3.50 on the Million"
'lf the 81, 600 was paid for by one assess
ment what would that assessment bef'
About ia cents on the 500. Thus the
assessment for the second year would be 8
cents, and that, without considering the
Increase in the value of the duplicate of
J5g5, upon which the second assessment
would be paid. With the duplicate next
year at SOS. OOO, 600 that of 1895 will probably
be S110 600. thus lessening still moro the
second assessment"
Are you In favor OF the bill providing
for this assessment
Most sssuredly, because 1t is the fairest
easiest and altogether the best way of hav-
ing the expenses of the national encamp-
ment borne equally by the people,"
John w. Murphy, of Murphy. Hibben &
Co., and president of the Board Of Trade,
said his firm had already given q check to
be applied TO the Grand Army encamp-
ment fund. but he strongly favored an APP
preparation by the City Council. I'VE are
TO have the encampment," said he. land
there must be no stlnting of means in car
ing for II. The money could be raised by
subscriptions. but it would be slow work.
means by which every one can be called to
account for his share In meeting this
public expense. The plan contem-
plated is equitable and places the cost of
the encampment where it belonRs-upon
the people. 1t requires oil to bear inst
ana proportionate share of the expense.
We Is q firm are interested. as we are in
dividuslly. Our check has gone into the
fund, and. in addition. we are willing to
pay this tax: not only as firm. but as In
dividuals. 1t would bring discredit upon
Indianapolis If this encampment event
should not be properly cared for. am not
thinking Of what benefit Indianapolis may
derive from IL. Whether the city derives
pledged to care for the encampment. aud
must do it In manner that will leave no
cause for complaint"
Mr.. ID. T.. Erwin. when the reporter asked
him for his opinion, said: lit Is most ex-
cellent plan. TaXin the valuation of Indian
spolis TO meet this appropriation brings the
expense Of the encampment where 1t be-
longs. At the same time the State should
not withhold its support. for whatever
benefits Indianapolis benefits the State.
It would be q petty spirit of jealousy to
withhold from Indianapolis the States
assistance IN caring for the encampment.
Every town and city of Indiana
should be just as much interested
IN having the National Encampment here
as are the people of Indianapolis. In what
ever this city Goes In advertising herself
and taking her place among the progress.
i've cities of the country Indiana has her
share of the benefit. 1t is time to stop dis
putting about small matters and wasting
our energies in discussion when the greatest
good can be accomplished by continuous
effort TO building up the city. That can
never be done as long as we boCQIe about
expense; who Is to pay it OF how it is to be
paid. This bill TO enable the city to
help pay In entertaining the veterans