Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1897-03-04
Napoleonites, How Does This
Strike You?
tFrom Lima Gazette.

Lima Northern, which means the
shops for system of 500 miles OF rail- |
way, can be secured for Lima. What |
this means, the people who have |
seen the city develop under the inn
petus of the c. H. & d. and l.. e. q
w. shops, well know.
The location OF these shops prac-
tically rests in the hands of Chas. !
Haskell, who created the Lima |
Northern idea and by his genius as
financier and manipulation, built the
road so quickly and SO quietly. III
we can gain his favor Lima can secure
the shops. In this endeavor we have
strong allies in w. B. Richie and j.
B. Townsend, who are close to Mr.. !
Haskell and both are enthusiastic
for the growth and welfare of Lima.
Mr.. Haskell has always felt that
the people of Lima hadn't treated
him fairly. When the Lima North
ern project was first announced an
Indignation meeting was held and
Haskell and his associates were de-
nounced as set of robbers and
pirates. Two years of opportunity
to witness the development of the
Lima Northern has enabled every
citizen to realize the great mistake.
1t was great blunder on the part OF
Lima. The only excuse is that at
that time our people had practically
no knowledge of the personel of Mr..
Haskell, and knew nothing of his in
tentions.
From many sources and from per-
sonal observation we are able to
speak of M. Haskelps great worth as
a railroad protector and builder, OF
his untiring energy and financial as
tuteness. At a time when it tried the
souls of the Oldest financiers, he went
ahead and produced wore miles OF.
railroad than any other project in
Ohio. 1t is an old axiom that it is
never too late to speak the truth; and
the Gazette is free to admit that a great
mistake was made in not securing
his eternal friendship two years ago.
II by proper amends we can secure
his good will; with him as our friend
and his cooperation, with the help
of w. b. Richie and j. B. Townsend,
the general shops and the general
offices of the Luna Northern, sys-
tenn that will mean 500 miles of COM
In addition to the raising OF the
money and the building of the Lima
Northern, Mr.. Haskell has given a
good portion Of his time to unravel-
ing the tranglement of Ohio South
ern affairs. His patient and intelli-
gent treatment of the subjtct has
enabled him to grow into the esteem
and high regard Of every one of the
security holders. Such is his strength
with them that should he now take
strong grounds in favor of Lima,
they all would take pleasure in grant
| ing his whises. Mr.. Townsend and
Mr.. Richie, owing to their opportu-
mites to judge of the situation both
at New York and here, ought to be
safe Judges to follow. They say it
would be easy sailing to secure the
shops and tieing up the proposition,
so that if once built they cannot get
away; that now is the time and in
their Judgment it is imperative to act
II we wish to secure them without
great struggle with other towns on
the line.
If the effort is postpone until the
L. N. and its kindred properties pass
out of the hands of Mr.. Haskell and
his associates, it will become a busi-
ness proposition divorced entirely
from any sentiment that may now
exist in our favor In conversation
with Messrs. Roser, Richie and Town
send yesterday we learn that there
will be no objections to several diff
ferent sites. They especially referred
to the fair ground and its vicinity,
the Parmenter tract in the northeast
part of the city, or twenty-five acres
south of the G. 81. E. With either
site, after final selection by the COM
pany and $65, 600 raised quickly, the
shops can be clinched in Lima for
ever.
The only drawback is shown by the
hard hill we have to climb in raising,
the necessary aid for the G. III. & d..
shops. A casual canvass made among
some of the leading property holders
leads us to say that it would be al
most impossible to go back to our
people with second shop PROPOSE
tion on the basis of private sub
scriptIon. But Mr.. Townsend has
discovered way ro let us out of the
difficulty. The Ohio statutes author
ize the levying of money for park
purposes. A levy of four mills for
two years, for the purpose of acquir-
ing ground for or improving park,
would be prefectly legal, and it would
raise enough money to secure the
shops. Bonds can,be issued in antic-
ipation of the levy. The mayor can
appoint park commissioners and they
can transfer the bonds to the rail-
road after shop agreement has
been entered into.
| If the two-year idea isn't thought
best, council can call special cleo
tion, and If a majority of the people
vote in favor of issuing bonds for
park purposes, the same arrange
ments can be made.
In q talk with leading citizens
yesterday we found them almost a
unit in favor of the Issuance of bonds.
They appreciate the value of the
shops and realize that the money can
| not be raised by private subscription
Whatever is done must be acted on
promptly, as there is no assurance
how long Mr.. Haskell will remain at
the head OF the line. New roads are
always changing and if it passes into
other hands we will have to complete
with Sprinfield, Washington G. H.,
Adrian, Napoleon and other points
along the line.
| Mayor Baxter, as the head of the
city, should cali a meeting Of citizens
to consider the situation.
To C0nsunlptives.
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