The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-01-20

sued for the purchase OF parks, that
the interest on these bonds must be
made up from the cltys treasury and
that the bonds must eventually be
paid. Each OF these things in itself
and by itself would amount to lit
tie, but taken collectively they figure
up quite an expense This constant
draining of the city's treasury Is
what has depleted the finances, until
now, instead of seeing how much
money it can expend, the council is
striving to reduce expenses to the
minimum All departments of the
citys government are reduced to
the nAnimum. The salaries have
not been touched, but they may be
before the city finds itself free from
the entanglements which hara's it,.
The police department has been re-
duced, vehicle which has never
used enough to pay for the keep,
the patrol wagon, has been aban-
doned: the council has announced
that no streets are to be paved and
no more sidewalks laid this year;
the appropriations for all departments
have been reduced to the minimum
And why? Simply and solely be-
cause the city in past years has been
living too fast. 1t has been spend
ing more than its income and maxi
ing no preparations for this rainy
day wlCch has overtaKen It.
we do not wish 20 be looked upon
as croakers. The city will survive
this little furry and within a few
years will be in condition to again
take care of itself a, becUmcth a
city of the size and Importance Of
Marion Marion has too many ad
vantages, naturally, and has too
many wide awake and enterprsing
citizens to see her remain long in the
slough of despond. The lesson has
already been learned and learned to
stay learned for a long time. When
the city Is again in good financial
condition her councils will be con-
tent to see a few dollars, laying in
the treasury over night.
When the Individual discovers that
he has been living ahead of his in
come and has made purchases Of
lands and houses and other things
which are now only burden to him,
If he has fully regained his sense,
he Immediately sets about to correct
his mistakes and TO dispose of his
surplus property. 1t would be folly
for anyone to suggest that the city
tear up some of its street paving and
attempt to sell II to replenish the
treasury, but there are some things
of which the city could dispose to a
good advantage and the proceeds
would come in very handy now in
tiding the city over the financial
breakers which have overtaEen her.
Almost three years ago, the city
purchased three parks. Lincoln
park was bought at a cost Of $4,000;
Mckinley park for $l2,465 and Gar
field park for $4,000. Since the pur
chase OF those parks, in 1907 there
was spent for improvements 81,
9l7 81; in 1908, 1902 .O7 and for
the present year there has been ap
propriated the large sum of $45O.O0
This makes a total expenditure by
the city OF $42 ,S74. 3S. Quite a Mica
little sum, which would come in
very handy just now for street re-
pair where II is so badly needed
and for cleaning the streets and keep
ing the city IN healthtul condition
as possible. 1t Is true that bonds
were issued for the purchase of
these parks and the sum of $42 SLABS
would not now be in the treasury If
The purchases had not been made.
The interest on those bonds for the
time which ha. elapsed and the
money amounting to 81 ,4O9 3S which
has been spent for Improvements I
would surely be there now and would
go long way toward tldlng over the
present financial shortage.
1t was announced when the parks
were bought that they were being
bought for future use and for the
coming generations. That was
noble motive, but good business
would indicate that some OF the
property be disposed of
Tor present needs and for the bene-
fit OF those now living. Marion
really needs, one mark II has haan