Mexico weekly ledger., 1897-06-24

walk across the room. i weighed only
ninety-four pounds, and had gwen up all
hope of recovery when l happened to read
an article in a newspaper describing some
fetal scheme for the people. Let us
agitate and discuss this proposition
for a year or two before bonding the
city and create q sentiment that will
reach the ears of Congress. Legisla-
ton must be made in the interest of
the masses as well as the classes. The
sooner the better for all concerned.
J.. D. Tucker, real estate, loan and
insurance agent: 81 Am and always
have been a strong advocate of ma
cadamizing the streets and alleys of
the city of Mexico. In 1876 l was
councilman from the old Sixth Ward
and that year I introduced in the City
Council the first order to macadamize,
and we that year macadamized one
block between the R1ngo and Central
Hotels and one block between Kemp
er and Mayfeld's and all around the
Public Square. Our revenue then was
only $1,000 a year, and since that time
to the time a third class charter went
into effect there wa an average of
about 10 blocks each year of the
streets of Mexico macadamized; be-
sides, during that time, we built a city
hall at a cost of $4,000; we also paid
off the Joel Haden bonded debt of
$4,000, money which the city had bor-
rowed, but 1t cost over $25. 900 before
it was all paid. If you want to invite
capital-and when you get capital you
make more employment to all class
of labor and business-keep Mexico as
she is now, the pride of Missouri and
one of the best inland towns in the
State. Now, with a revenue of about
Sc, 900 a year and no debt I think, with
less blowing and scraping of streets
and more rock, we can, in a few years,
have all the principal streets of Next
CO macadamized and we would not be
toiling and saving every dollar chat
should 60 on the streets of Mexico) to
/ pay bu0 UOAuuolNCI Lis ~ O6ts oO-
sides, I am satisfied our revenue will
have to be cut down on saloon license
or some will have to quit, as under
the hard times their expenses are
greater than they can stand. 1 am,
therefore, opposed to bonding the
city especially these hard times) for
macadamizing and sewerage andthink
it would be against the interest of
every nan in Mexico. There is no
need of bonding the city of Mexico
when she is prospering more than any
inland town in the State that is in
debt"
Joseph Coons, who moved to Au-
drain to rid himself of Callaway's
bonded debt: "No; am not in favor
of bonding Mexico. I am opposed to
this whole business on general prin-
ciples. Look at Galloway county. Just
after the war her people were per-
suaded by glib-tongued speakers, who
went all over the county, to bond it to
build a railroad, telling them it could
be paid in 20 years and the debt is
still there just as big as when it was
compromised for 55 cents on the dollar.
1t is as much as they can do to pay the
interest. I got away as soon as I could
and came to Audrain where there was
no debt. Our county is away ahead of
Galloway. Why is it? Because Au-
drain has no debt. Bond Mexico and
it would be in the same fix as Gala
way. Let us learn a lesson from cities
and counties that are bonded and steer
clear of an almost permanent debt. 1t
is ruinous; it would take III 40 and
maybe so years to recover from It,"
G. F. Yeager said: 81 am positively
opposed to bonding the city for ma
cadamizing or sewerage purposes. No
doubt there is a great waste of money
in the way the street work is gener-
ally conducted, still it is better that
way than to put a debt OF our town
that would not only stop it's growth,
but would likely drive citizens away
from it, now living here. As for the
enterprise furnishing work to our
Iaboring class, I do not think it would
be of much benefit. Contractors from
a distance would likely get the work,
and Mexico would be overrun with
laborers from abroad, as has been the
case b~eretofore."
r. P. Wolff, grocer:
"I should like to Q good streets,
but am opposed to putting the debt
on the city to secure them. I believe
the authorities ought to 90 ahead and
improve as they can, paying for it at
the same time.
If the city is bonded for $4,000 or
$685. 600 it will keep people from COM
ing here to invest who would other
wise do so. If Mexico were a manu-
featuring town, promising to double
its population in ten years, the bond
ed debt would be all right. But as it
Is, without prospect Of a large in
crease, we could not stand it."
j. r. Browning, insurance agent:
81 do not believe we ought to 60 In
debt. The times are too hard and the
future too uncertain. We have good
schools which induce people to come
here and invest their money, but If
we bond the city the debt will more
than counterbalance our schools and
drive substantial business men away
rather than attract them.n
DR.. r. W. Bourne: "I am absolutely
opposed to both propositions though I
consider the sewerage more necessary
than the macadam. Bonds are q bad
thing always, but especially 80 in these
hard times. You may set me down az
unequivocally opposed to this method
OF securing the improvements"
I'D. Miller, city drayman, vino uses
the streets the year round: "Would
like to have good streets, but do not
want to bond city for them or for any
other - 1