The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-11
A Large Part of the Oratory at the
Town Hall Meeting Directed
Against the Movement.
SYLVESTER JOHNSON FOR IT
HE ADVANCES SEVEN REASONS FOR
TOWN BECOMING ABSORBED.
Members of the City Council Watched
the Fun-TnIk of n packed
Gathering.

The town of Irvington will never be
part of this city by the consent of its citi-
zens if their views were voiced by the
speakers at the meeting held last night in
the town hall. Nine out of every ten men
who had anything to say on the general
proposition of annexation pointed out that
Irvington had nothing to gain by coming
into the city and might lose much in the
future. Opposed to the downright stand
of the majority OF the speakers was Syl-
vester Johnson, one Of the oldest residents
of the town and a large property owner
Mr.. Johnson championed the cause of an
nexation and opened the oratorical battle
by presenting a number of concise reasons
why. in his opinion, Irvington would be
greatly benefited by the passing of the
Berry ordinance.
After Frank Davenport, president of the
Town Board. had explained the purpose of
the meeting, John E. McGaughey was
chosen chairman and ]. L. Kingsbury sec
rotary Councimen Negley. Expert, Meyer
and Warweg were present
Sylvester Johnson presented seven argu-
ments for annexation. First, said Mr..
Johnson, annexation would insure police
Notwithstanding that the suburb is
=
ondly, it would afford fire protection, which
is needed even more; thirdly, he pointed
out that it would mean free access to the
public and high schools of the city; fourth,
it would give Irvingtonians free access to
the public library of the city; fifth, it
would admit citizens of Irvington to the
benefits of the City Hospital; sixth, it
would give the community more prestige
than it has; seventh, the expense of run
ming the town would be done away with,
since the city would look after that.
In addition to the arguments above given.
Mr.. Johnson declared that he had exam
ined the tax rates of indianapolis and Ir-
vington for the last ten years, and had
found that while the rate in the city aver
aged $l.707 for the last ten years, the rate
in Irvington had averaged as high as $I734
There was nothing, he said, in the fear he
had heard expressed that annexation
would mean putting up the taxes on Ir-
Vington citizens.
ANNEXATION OPPOSED.
Charles Cross took exception to all the
points made. by Mr.. Johnson. He said
there was time when he favored annexa-
ton. when Irvington needed it. Now, he
said, he was opposed to the scheme, be-
cause there exists no need for 1t. Irving
ton, he said, is able to take of itself, is
able to make all the improvements neces-
sary and does not need to call on Indian
apolis for help. He remarked that the town
board is a satisfactory means of govern
ment and can do more for IrvingtOn citi-
zens than could the City Council of Indian
apols. He said Irvington didn't need any
more police protection; that better order is
preserved than in the most orderly district
of Indianapolis with all its patrolmen. AS
for the saloon matter. he believed that Irv-
fraerf ri of ri n
tail-end of the Eighth ward and would be
entered by the liquor dealer. He thought
that the city water company would never
be able to supply Irvington with water on
account of the elevation of the town and
that it would be far more practicable for
the town to build its own water plant. He
contended that Irvington as part of the
city would have no representation In the
City Council and would be under the heel
of the Eighth ward politicians.
IN EDUCATIONAL WAY.
Superintendent of Schools Stanton said
that annexation would mean nothing TO
Irvington in an educational way. since the
city schools were already crowded almost
to their capacity. Frank Davenport said
Irvington has come to a point when it is
able to solve questions of public improve
ment for itself without help and does not
need annexation to get better water sup
ply, an electric light service or practical
sewerage system. J. +. Elstun was one
of the principal speakers against annexa-
ton and said that the American Water
and Light Company stands ready to put in
a water plant If Irvington will grant ii a
franchise. j. l.. Kingsbury gave the an
nexation proposition some of the hardest
raps. He said ttat outlying districts taken
into the city recently had not been bene-
flied to any appreciate extent by the
change. He said that Indianapolis would
never do anything for Irvington if ii took
it in but tax it because the city is up to its
ears in debt now. Chauncey Butler secre-
tary of Butler College, said that he had
advocated annexation four years ago. but
is convinced now that it is not a good
thing. He thought Irvington would act
wisely in preserving its identity. James r.
Layman refused to commit himself abso-
lutely on the question, but intimated
strongly that ii is doubtful if the town
would be benefited by annexation.
Friends of annexation insisted strongly
that last nights meeting was packed
that there had been a movement to get
everybody present who was against an
nexatiOn, and that the known friends of
the idea were not asked to come Ii was
also stated that the chief opposition to the
annexation movement comes from members
of the Town Board, who are averse to be-
ing forced out of the places to which they
were elected. and are backed by their
friends and relatives. The statement was
made also that three-fOurths of the citi-
zens are in favor of being admitted to the
city. A petition signed by citizens who
favor annexation will be presented to the
Council committee.