South Bend news-times., 1914-08-17
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4 LETTERS OF THE PEOPLE X
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THE PLEA OF AN OLD SOLDIER.
To buy or not to buy the old Metho-
dist church site seems to be the big
question with the county commission
ers. The public has been giving but
little attention TO this problem, as it
generally has confidence in the judg-
ment Of the commissioners and coun-
ty council who have been making a
a study of the situation. But there
are several citizens who are making
a determined fight against the pur-
chase. Armed with petitions several
of these individuals are accosting men
on the street and with vague whispers
Of collusion, graft and things of like
import. are securing numerous sigma
lures.
In all of this 1 have been but little
interested. But as a Union soldier
/ wish TO voice my protest against
certain statemenU made by those re-
mOnstrating against the purchase of
this property. One individual in par
ticular, whose war record is in no
way connected with service in camp
or battlefield, urges that not only
should the county permit the prop
erty TO be built upon, but also that
the monument be removed from the
court house grounds When asked
as To the effect a building would have
upon the present monument he an
swered, the taxpayers are not con-
cerned in the monument"
/ believe "a mistake was made when
the monument was placed in its pres
ent position. The money spent for
this memorial should have been used
TO purchase the old Methodist church
site at that time. Then an arch or
fountain could have been placed on
the corner and dedicated TO the mem
Ory of the boys of a half century ago.
l am sure that the majority of the
thin line OF blue left in this county
will seriously object TO the over
shadowing or the removal Of this lit
tie memorial
| am not much OF a taxpayer nor
do / pretend TO be able TO do the
thinking for the county commission
ers. but in my humble judgment if I
were TO decide this question / would
rather be blamed for being progress
sive and ahead of my time than TO he
censured by the next generation for
being afraid to do my duty.
/ am not a real estate expert but
! have confidence in the board of ap-
praisers that was named by the COM
/ missioners. In 10 or Is years from
now we all know that this property
will be worth twice it's present value.
II II were ana properly I'M
proved with a fountain, shade trees
some walks and convenient seats il
would be a recreation spot much
needed in our down town districts
and the man who would wish to sell il
for double the price now proposed
for its purch%se would be considered
an enemy to the best interests Of our
city.
I am not a fnancier but I believe
! ii is poor economy to neglect prepara-
tions for the future. But that side
will not argue because an abler man
has stated IL so much better. as you
may learn by referring to Mr.. sum
mers' letter in The NewsTimes. l am
just one Of the thousaIIs $ who refuse
TO sign remonstrances Aorn Of the
spite OF disappointed candidate and
the late leader OF a lost cause. Hav-
ing no voice when the remanstrances
are presented / have said these
words 10 give expression 10 what 1
and a great majority OF those | have
conferred with believe TO be the true
situation. A UNION SOLDIER.