The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-09
CITY FINANCES.
''Faxpayer'' Continues His Exposition
of Democratic Juggling.

To the Editor of the indianapolis Journal:
Much has been said about temporary
loans, but Mr.. Taggart assures the people
that no temporary loans have been made
by his administration and that there will
be no need to make any The figures are ac-
cessible to all and the administration chal-
lengeS the SeVereSt scrutiny.
This appeared in an editorial in the In
dianapolis News under date of Sept. 2S On
Sept 29 Taxpayer called at the city con-
troller'S office and upon request obtained
some figures from the man who had charge
of the books Taxpayer" being familiar
with the books helped the bookkeeper find
the different accounts and put down the
figures as they were called, observing as to
whether they were called to him as shown
by the books. The only figures that Tax
payer was able to obtain were three differ
ent accounts, after which the bookkeeper
absolutely refused any more figures, but
said, See Mr.. Johnson" What "Taxpay-
err asked further was as to the amounts
which the Taggart administration had paid
on account of the purchase of parks.
grounds and buildings for station house and
dispensary up to Sept. TO- 1897. These We're
figures which were refused. Taxpayer
had in mind the fact that the Taggart adj
ministration had borrowed money for the
purpose of buying parks, ground and build
ing a station house and dispensary, and also
had in mind Mr.. Taggart's invitation the
figures are accessible to ALL" The figures
obtained, however, were as follows:
Warrants issued Jan. l, 1897, to
sept. ~ 1891 $663 653 "A
Warrants redeemed Jan. l, 1897, to
sep. ~, 1881 ....;'''...'.''.'...... l50O6173
Balance Sept. 70, 1897 ................ 5IS5lll ii
1t is true that for the period Jan l, 1891
to Sept. ~, 1884, there were warrants re-
deemed to the amount of Sl3O,06L73, which
exceeds the amount ISSUED, winch was Soo3-
603.44, but 1t must be remembered that the
controllers report for 1886 states that there
We're unpaid warrants on Dec. 81, 1896 of
$40, 1896, consequently there were unpaid on
Dec. 81, 1886, $i6,44g.o6, and the amount issued
Jan. l. 1897, to Sept. TO- 1884, S66o, 6o3. A. makes
$40, lO3o0 Deduct the amount redeemed,
$3.50, O6I.I3 ane We have outstanding and un-
paid $40, 0S55i, and this, and only this amount
can be obtained.
The only thing that is right in the arti-
Gle is the balance which was obtained from
the Republican city treasurer and which
agrees with our books, says the controller.
AS before stated. these figures were given
Taxpayer" from the controllers books by
q man who knew who Taxpayer was and
who had simply taken Mr. Taggart at his
word when he said that the ngureS were
accessible to ALL The charge of Tax
payer" WAS, and is yet, that the Tageart
administration did not have a dollar in IFS
treasury on Sept. 20, 1887, outside of money
which ii had borrowed for the specific pur-
pose OF buying parks, grounds and buildings
for station house and diSpensary, quoting
from the city controllers article in the
News The city, instead of borrowing $54S-
49, borrowed a total, including premium. Of
1884, 1881, divided as follows Park bonds
$S50,0OO; premium on same. S23 20; police
station bonds $50. 900; premium on same
$l06l3.11, which makes, 1854, 1881 Deduct the
amount spent from the money borrowed for
parks and police station, $42.SS602, and he
jumps to the conclusion that there remains
balance or 81, 403.1S in the general fund