The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1913-05-23
Ex-Mayor Woods Asks Cor
rection.
EUsris. Fla, May IS, 1913.


Editor Climax read your paper
regularly, and often wishI had time to
write about my new home here. Fer
the present, content myself with cor
recting an incorrect statement recently
made, to the effect that the present city
administration was the first 10 pay off a
cent of that cd Water & Light debt that
hung like milestone about the necks
of the councils for nearly twenty years.
would not disparage the present coun-
ell or mayor. Praise the Lord for all
this good workout in the interest of
truth and history, suppose you reprint
the following clipping exactly as it ap-
peared in the Climax Oct. 30, 1907, while
was mayor of Richmond, the proudest
honor of my life.
CRY COUNCIL PAYS ON AN OLD ACCOUNT
''In June 1906, when the Councils
Finance Committee made up the bud
get of expenditures for the ensuing
year, as required by law, before making
the tax levy to pay municipal expenses.
Mr.. T. J. Smith, Chairman of the FL
nance Committee, argued for an allow
ance out of the current fund 10 be APP
piled on reduction of the old debt due
to the Richmond National Bank on
s., 800 worth of Water & Light voucher
that had been running for ten years at
per cent. interest, and costing the city
1854 annually interest.
Accordingly two weeks ago when the
Richmond National Bank settled its
last years tax the entire amount, 1862
was applied upon their old claim against
the city, thus reducing it nearly 81 ,0CO,
and thus shutting off about $50 annual
interest besides. 1t is worthy Of note
that this is the first time any Council
in ten years has had funds to spare to
apply on a reduction of this floating
Indebtedness Of the city. And it may
be stated that with the reduction thus
made Richmond only outstanding float
ing debt exclusive of $1,000 school
bonds, not duel amounts now to about
IS, 400, the smallest Indebtedness of any
city in Central Kentucky, without ex-
ception." 4.
Think of it, o, ye citizens Of Rich
mond That was money saved to the
city after only one year without saloons!
They said our town would go to HI,
our stores close and trade go TO Win
chester.
Now hear with gratitude the present
council, still without saloon aid, has
paid off the balance of the old debt that
was incurred and maintained undimin-
ished while we had a dozen breath
holes of hell, 'as Jim Stouffer frequent
ly denominated saloons.
Is it possible Richmond has come TO
see the time SO quickly when it pays
to do without saloons" Debts paid,
people contented, property increased in
values, schools enlarged, business bet
ter and crime and disorders decreased II
Praise God from Whom all blessings
flow
And yet kind word for those who
then quit the liquor business and en-
barked in other lines. They know l |
stood by them, encouraged them, pat
ronized them and was as loyal to them
as | was bitterly opposed TO their former
occupation.
| am happy down here, except for an
occasional homsick feeling for Pa and |
Ma Willis, at Crab Orchaod Springs.
Yours fraternally,
CLARENCE E. WOODS,
lex Mayor" of Richmond.
eve have not consulted our files, but
we are sure that we did not say that no
other council paid any part of the debt
which hung over the city. What we in
tended 10 say, and what we think we
said, was the city had paid the last cent
Of its Indebtedness. something that had |
not been done before in years. 1t is
mmaterial with US. however, and we
accord to Mr.. Woods his way
IN the matter.-E1)