The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-10-19
ADAMS EXCUSE

hNtI Sllitt II UeCdHe huOW0 tndl
the finances OF the city were in such
deplorable condition, there has been
disposition upon the part of some
persons 10, lay all of the blame at
the door of The people who voted
dry" and deprived the city OF the
reSenae from the licensing of saloons.
There Is no denying the fact tnat
this has had It's effect, for in the time
through which the city has been pass
ing, every dollar has counted for
more than its face.
But is must be understood that not
all OF the Ills OF the city can be
traceable to the loss of the city's
portion OF the Aiken tax. The chief
trouble has been the wholesome ex-
penditure OF money in former years.
At those times little, or no regard,
was paid TO whether the treasury
would stand the strain. If il was de-
cided TO make an improvement, that
Improvement was made and the cost
could come from where it may. AS a
sample OF this policy, We need only
cite the purchase of three parks. But
e4here again an error is likely 10
y-arise. Most people blame the purchase
anf l1a
tion of the treasury, but this is really
not the case. The parks were pur-
chased and an issue of bonds was
made 10 defray the cost. These bonds
have not been paid, so that the first
cost of the parks cannot be said to
figure in the financial difficulties
(which have been experienced by the
city. 1t Is said that ii was the inten-
tlon OF the couucilmen, when the
parks We're bought, to spend no money
on improving them, but to allow them
20 lie uninproved until such a time as
the city counld improve them and be-
gin to make use OF them. Notwith-
! staanding this policy, the council has
Z. gone ahead with systematic impro-
vement OF the parks, spending money
ppysheni1 rntil the treasury has been
depftted and the city was forced TO
adopt a tetrenchment policy and
cease all improvements which were
:, not absolutely necessary, and in some
cases, the Church and Prospect street
payings as an instance, even the nee
S.essary Improvements had to be put
voff Indefinitely or delayed until the
.,eost TO the city was greatly in excess
of what il would have been, had the
Improvement been made in time
q II shounld be remembered that DR..
~. g. Setter the man who is now ask
ing the support of the taxpayer at the
polls for the Office of mayor, was a
member OF the city council when
money was being expended without a
thought OF what was to follow. DE-.
Softer does not deny that he had
hand in spending this money. but
seeks 10 justify his action by saying
that he as not able to learn what was
going on and that ne acted blindly
because be was mot allowed on the in
side, and was forced to vote in the
dark. He declares that his conscience
IS clear because OF this fact, or allega-
tion, whichever it may be. In this
accusation the venerable doctor does
pot consider the fact that his excuse
reflects upon the other men who com
posed the city council and at the
same time condems himself, The ex-
euse he gives recalls the one which
was made way back lin the Garden OF
Eden when our somewhat vacillating
fprefdther as called upon for the why's
and wherefores OF his action. In
Adams case he endeayered to shift
al OF the blame and responsibility OH
onto the shoulders OF Eve. but DR..
Setter endeayors to shove 1t all onto
che shoulders of the other men who
composed the councils of which he