Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, September 11, 1897, Image 2
Scraps and .facts. ?
~ ~ o
? The annual report of the auditor v
of the interior department shows that n
the amount paid for peusions during e
the last year was $140,477,637. The g
payment on pensions account for the ii
fiscal year 1896 was $138,722,127, and c
for the fiscal vear 1895, $140,558,641; t
1894. $137,119,554. and for 1893, $154,- p
552,214. The cost of the service last c
year was $3.99 per $1,000; for 1896, 1
$47; for 1695. $4.00 ; for 1894, $3.77; b
and for 1893, $3.35. n
? More people over 100 years old are j?
found in mild climates than in the *
higher latitudes. Accordiug to the v
last census of the German empire, of
a population of 55,000,000, only 78
have passed the 100th year. France, ?
with a population of 40,000,000, has a
233 centenarians. In England there 11
are 146, Ireland 578, and in Scotland
46. Sweden has 10,-and Norway 23 ; "
Belgium, 5; Denmark, 2; Switzerland,
none. Spain, with a population of a
18,000,000, has 401 people over 100 "
years of age. It is said that the oldest 2
person living, whose age has been
proven, is Bruno Coirim, horn in Africa,
and now living in Rio de Janero. I
He is 150 years old. A coachman in
Moscow has lived 140 years.
? The old discussion as to whether
the rich are growing richer and the {
poor poorer, has been revived. If we i
are to believe Mr. Sherman's Forum J
article, the contention is virtually set- i
tied. Mr. Sherman gives the amount
of wealth in the hands of persons with
over $500,000 each in the -United _
States as follows: 200 persons at $20,
000,000 each, $4,000,000,000; 400 persons
at $10,000,000 each, $4,000,000,000;
1,000 persons at $5,000,000 each,
$5,000,000,000; 2,000 persons at $2,- 500,000
each, $5,000,000,000; 6.000 "
persons $1,000,000 each, $6,000,000,- n
000; 15,000 persons at $500,000 each, tc
$7,500,000,000. Upon this basis, which bi
is admitted to be far below the actual d
truth, we are confronted with the f,
startling result that 24,600 persons Q
now possess $31,500,000,000?more
than half of the national wealth, real .
and personal, according to the highest 11
estimate any one has yet ventured to ^
make of the aggregate amount. is
? New York Sun : The reception of w
Mr. Bryan during his recent journey 18
through th west should be enough to u
convince those too hopeful Republicans
or oowardly Democrats in the east
who thiuk that the silver question g
has been settled and remains without r(
living interest, that they are wrong.
At Rapid City, S. D., for example, Mr. ^
Bryan spoke for two hours on "bimetalism,''
by which he means silver
monometalism. The subject bas been
discussed interminably, and many per- a]
sons would not care to be talked to oi
about it for two mortal hours; but ir
5,000 people from Rapid City and the 8J
surrouuding towns were on hand to tc
hear his address. When he arrived, S(
"the entire assemblage rose, and waving
umbrellas, hats and handkerchiefs,
cheered frantically." By means of w
phonograph and telephone hundreds 0)
of persons in other towns heard his hi
remarks, at the close of which he had e:
to shake hands for two hours. All w
this cannot be set down to curiosity ; if
it means business.
? The Rev. Frank Vrooman, a prom- al
inent preacher in the People's church, ce
in Chicago, is going to Alaska to mine
gold. Iu resigning his pastorate last
Sunday, he said: "The only trouble
about the Peop'e's church is, that it
raises no money. It pays me nothiug, te
and I have preached for nothing until ol
I am getting into a necessitous condi- tL
tion. It pays Dr. Thomas nothing h<
either; but he is able to stand it. He 01
has accumulated some money by lec Sj
turing and marrying, and is above
want. As for me, I admit that it is a (
luxury to preach ; but it is a luxury I 0
cannot afford. I do not eveu expect ta
to preach until I leave for the west, as 1,1
I shall need all my time and energies 01
for making preparations. I have dis- w
covered to my satisfaction that a b(
church that, believes nothing gives
nothing. It is the hidebouud, ortho- w
dox Christian with a believing sense of ^
hell that contributes to the support of
the church aud the ministry. So, no
more preaching for me."
T
? A terrible collision occurred on the
Santa Fe railroad, near Emporia, Kan- ri
sas, last Wednesday. A fast mail, t,:
going east, and the Mexico aud Cali- T
fornia express, going west, collided. 1<>
The latter traiu wits drawn by two si
locomotives, and when the collision tL
occurred the boilers of all three engines
exploded, digging a hole so deep iu the
ground that after a smoking car fell
down on top of the three eugines, two w
mail cars balanced ou top of it with- w
out turning over. The westbound st
traiu carried seven or eight coaches, tl
carrying a large number of passengers tl
who had been to hear W. J. Bryan ta
speak at a county fair. Mr. Bryan d,
himself was aboard, in a rear sleeper,
but sustaiued no inconvenience except
a severe shock. Twelve or fifteen 11
persons were killed and as many more w
were badly wounded. The associated c<
press dispatches which tell of the h
affair, says that Mr. Bryan was one of ei
the noblest men in the crowd of res- e:
cuers. He helped to carry out the j.
dead and wounded and gave the great- .
est atteution to their care. One poor c''
fellow, who was badly maimed, called h
to Mr. Bryan and said : "I went to
haar vnn tndav T am nmv dvincr and I)
want to shake your hand and say God b
bless you. If you possibly can, Mr.
Bryan, get me a drink of water." u
Mr. Bryan went into the fast mail car, it
one end of which was burning, and Q
came out with the water, which he
gave to the suffering passenger. He
brought out cushions for others of the ''
injured, and was everywhere present
to administer to the wants of the f<
suffering. it
? From the Chicago Chronicle : The r
treasury statement for August shows e
that for the first two months of the tl
present fiscal year there is a deficit tl
f about $25,000,000. At|this rate the
k'bole fiscal year should show a deficit
f $150,000,000. The ouly thing
rhich can prevent this enormous
ainus sum is a policy of striet
conomy in every department of the
overnment. Pensions, public buildtags,
rivers and harbors, salaries in all
ivil departments, must he held dowD
o the actual working necessities. But
tensions will not be reduced. Ou the
ontrary, they will be larger thau ever,
'here is an enormous list of public
uildings demanded by the congressaen,
and which, having been held
ack so long by the policy of Speaker
teed, will brook no curtailing. Fees,
r hich under the Cleveland administrainn
were derived from the consulates.
rill now go to swell the pickings of
fficeholders. But greater far than
11 these means of deficit is the new
ariff. If it really does what it is inended
to as a prohibitor of imports, it
rill throw all other deficit makers into
iie shade. There seems, therefore,
o escape from a most disastrous year
)r the government.
She ^jorkrillr (Enquirer.
YOItKVILLE, 8. C.:
SATURDAY, SEPT. 11, 1897.
- The Chicago Record is making a trelendous
effort to induce the government
> establish a system of postal savings
auks. The postal savings bank, proyiing
for the saving of small amounts
om ?1 up, is a fixed institution under
early all European governments, and is
) useful as to be regarded as practically
idispensible. The need for it in this
juntry is very urgent, and while there
i no special reason for believing that it
ill be established in the near future, it
; an unexplaitiable wonder that it was
ot established a long time ago.
? Mr. George C. White, of Chester, has
iven out for publication, a letter that he
jcently received from a New York bankr
on the subject of buying some bonds of
10 town of Chester. The name of the
inker is not given. It appears, however,
lat he had been offered the bonds, and
though he thought that from every
;her standpoint they were a good iuvestlent,
on account of having read a recent
jeech by Senator Tillman, be preferred
? have nothing whatever to do with
outh Carolina securities. While we have
0 doubt as to the genuinness of the letter,
e have serious doubts as to *he sincerity
f the reasons given for declining the
Dnds. If the banker inherited the mon1
be is investing, or found it in the road,
e have no index as to his calibre; but
he made it himself, then we take it
tat he is a man of too much sense to be
raid of South Carolina securities bemse
of Tillman.
- Over at Johnston, in Edgefield counr,
The Enquirer has ap esteemed conmporary
called The Monitor. It is one
' the newsiest and best edited papers in
ie state, as independent as the traditional
jgon ice, and in about nineteen cases out
' twenty when it takes a position, its potion
is right. During the late campaign,
snnnortftd McLaurin as aeainst the
her two candidates, and does not hesite
now to say that the senator is the best
an in the state for the position. But in
le respect our esteemed contemporary is
rong, persistently, wrong and seems to
3 incorrigible. It is a confirmed goldig,
and all that the term implies. We
ould try to teach it better; but our past
forts having gone for naught, we are inined
to give up the task in despair,
here is left for us only one ray of hope,
he Monitor believes in Senator McLaun
in all things else, and on nothing is
le senator so strong as 011 the silver
lestion. We would have our friend to
ok up the senator's old speeches 011 this
ibject, and then tell us candidly what it
links.
- Nearly all of the newspapers that
ere opposed to McLaurin in the recent
Linpaign, are disposed to lay great
ress 011 the fact that less than half of
le Democratic voters in the state went to
le polls, and they claim that this is to be
iken as a repudiation of all the candiates,
especially of McLaurin. Now,
nee McLaurin has been elected, it does
ot make any material difference; but
e fail to see the matter in the light our
intemporaries would have us see it. It
as been our observation that interest in
lections depend 011 various things, and
xeept on occasions of extraordinary potical
excitement, interest depends priuipally
upon the number of offices to be
lied, and the aggregate number of canidates
asking for tbe suffrages of the
eople. When all county offices are to
e filled, for instance, the vote is generlly
pretty full. Second primaries usally
show a considerable lulling off, and
i the case of third primaries, the falling
11" is still more pronounced. Now, in
le primary just held, it must be renieniered
that thcro was only one office to be
lied, and only three candidates running
>r it. After the first half-do/.en meetings
was a foregone conclusion that McLauin
would be the winner, and under the
ircumstances the wonder is not that
liere were 110 more votes cast; but that
here were so many.
LOCAL AFFAIRS.
INDKX TO NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.
Grist Cousins?Take especial pains to try
to convince you that the Babcock and
the Sayer A Scovill buggies are as good,
if not better, than other buggies of their
respective classes.
Lewis G. Grist A Co.?Are prepared to
tighten tires on vehicles and tell you
why it is to your pecuniary interest to
have the matter attended to without
delay.
R. J. Herndon?Announces the opening
of a stock of new goods in his new
building, opposite the Parish hotel. He
also announces that he will continue to
handle pianos and organs.
John R. Logan, S. Y. C.?Advertises a
lot of mining machinery, etc., to be
sold in front of the courthouse door on
the first Monday in October, as the
property of the Hydraulic Reduction
and Mining company, at the suit of
W. W. Castles.
Louis Roth?Offers to sell you New York
cream cheese two pounds at 12J cents a
Dound. or 1 Dound for 15 cents. He
again calls attention to his California
broiled mackerel in tomato sauce, and
can supply you with currant jelly in
mugs at 15 cents or two for 25 cents, besides
loose in pails: apple butter and
cranberry sauce and oak flakes in two
pound packages.
DOWN TO BUSINESS.
Yorkville is to have a bicycle track, and
that without unnecessary delay. The
matter was decided at an enthusiastic
meeting of wheelmen held in the Parish
hotel last Thursday night.
When the scheme was first projected,
some weeks ago, it was the idea of the
wheelmen to get things in readiness for
the building of a track next spring. But
within the past week this intention has
undergone a decided change. It was suggested
by some one that the start be made
right now, and with remarkable unanimity
the idea was promptly adopted.
There were present at the meetiug some
30 or more subscribers to the capital stock
of the proposed association, and the business
at hand was despatched with much
enthusiasm.
Dr. A. Y. Cartwright presided as chairman,-and
Mr. W. M. Propst served as
secretary, and permanent organization
was effected by the electiou of seveu
directors as follows: John R. Logan, J.
H. Riddle, W. B. Moore, S. L. Hobbs, C.
M. Kuykendal, It. J. Herndon and A. Y.
Cartwright.
Without opposition, the organization
was named the "Yorkville Wheelmen's
Association." Somebody suggested that
it might be well to go slow about the
name "Yorkville but the warning did
not seem to cause any special alarm.
After the general meeting, the directors
organized by the election of Dr. A. Y.
Cartwright as president, W. B. Moore as
vice-president, and C. M. Kuykendal as
secretary and treasurer.
The directors will at once proceed to
get a charter for the association, and will
also take options on various sites for the
location of the proposed track. With all
the options in, there will be another general
meeting, and the stockholders will
accept the proposition they consider most
advantageous. Up to the present time,
the capital stock of the organization aggregates
$715. The directors think they
will need about $1,000 or $1,100; but anticipate
no trouble whatever in the raising
of the money.
ABOUT PEOPLE.
Mr. Sam Moore, of Yorkville, is down
with an attack of fever.
Miss Bessie Mason is visiting in the
Bethesda neighborhood.
Miss Louise Ratchford is visiting the
Misses Brice at Woodwards.
Spartaburg Herald, Wednesday: Mr.
J. Ed. Jefferys is visiting relatives and
friends in this city.
Miases Florrie Allison, Ida de Loach
and Alice Spencer, of Yorkville, are all
down with fever.
Mias Kate Simmons, who has been visiting
friends and kindred in this county
for the past three weeks, left for her home
at Gaffney, via Blacksburg, on yesterday
afternoon.
Mr. J. F. Glenn, of Yorkville, left yesterday
afternoon for Gibson, Richmond
county, N. C., where he will buy cotton
during the present season for Chas. E.
Johnson & Co.
Sheriff Logan has been a wheel-horse
in the promotion of the interests of the
Yorkville Wheelmen's association, and
Dr. Cartwright and, in fact all the other
directors, were very anxious to elect him
president; but he could not be induced
to accept. The only reason he would
give was the fact that he did not ride a
wheel.
Oscar Xeal, Clover's star wheelman, is
a son of Mr. /. M. Neal, the well known
Clover merchant. He is a handsome,
manly little fellow, not yet seventeen
years of age, and it seems to be the settled
opinion among the wheelmen who
saw his riding on Wednesday, that if he
continues on the track he will be heard
from again.
Gaston ia Gazette, Thursday: Mr. Felix
McLean has been transferred from the
Narrow Gauge agency at Dallas to that of
Lincolnton, and has already gone to work
at his new post. Mrs. McLean came over
to Gaston ia Tuesday night and will join
her husband in a few days. Mr. J. S.
Carter, of Lowrysville, S. C., succeeds
Mr. McLean at Dallas. Mrs. Carter is expected
to join him today, and they will
then occupy the brick house next to the
Matthews hotel.
CLOVER RACES.
Clover did herself proud last Wednesday
afternoon. It was the occasion of the
opening of the splendid new nice track,
just completed by the wheelmen of that
place, with a series of interesting races.
There was present a large number of
visitors. They were there from liock
Mill, Fort Mill, Gastonia, King's Mountain,
Yorkville and the surrounding country.
Many went in buggies, carriages
and hacks, some on bicycles and others
on the train. The train crowd was principally
from Yorkville, and included
about a dozen lady cyclists.
Altogether the crowd was one of the
largest that has visited Clover for several
years; but that made no difference on the
warm-hearted hospitality of the good
people there. Every citizen seemed to
have an idea that the whole crowd was
composed of his individual guests and
acted accordingly. There was a wait of
several hours alter the arrival of the train
before tho races commenced; but the
delay was not at all tedious. The people
were delightfully entertained, and the
time passed off with remarkable swiftness.
The race track is something to be proud
of. It is located iu a natural basin of the
creat granite formation which spreads
out a rock floor over the eastern portion
of town. There wa9 just "enough earth
on this particular spot to serve the purpose
of the wheelmen in giving the track
the necessary pitch, or incline for the
curves, and with a comparatively small
amount of work, there has been constructed
a track the like of which there
are few to be found in this section. As
yet there is no enclosure or grand stand ;
but these things the bicycle boys will look
after later.
The races com inenced at about 4 o'clock.
The crowd was large enough to more
than half surround the track, and it was
so everybody could get a good view. A
very noticeable vein of good humor pervaded
everything, and underneath this
there was a deep zeal for the honor of
Clover. Town pride is wonderfully
strong up there; but different from many
other places, it is no stronger than the
remarkable generosity by which it is
almost invariably accompanied.
The races were under the general management
of Mr. M. L. Smith. Mr. Meek
Smith acted as starter. The judges were
Messrs. W. M. Propst, of Yorkville;
James White, of Rock Hill; and Charles
Dilling, of King's Mountain.
The first race was a half mile, open to
all comers. The starters were S. L.
Meacham and John Ardrey, of Fort Mill;
Geo. Swift and Abernathy, of King's
Mountain ; and Oscar Neal, of Clover.
From the start, it was clear that the race
was between Meal and Ardrey. Ardrey
is the champion of the county, and when
the Clover people saw their man pushing
him close their enthusiasm was aroused
to the highest pitch. Ardrey led until
within a hundred yards of the finish.
Both seemed to be almost fiying. Suddenly
Neal spurted a wheel length ahead.
Up to this time Ardrey had been too busy
to look back ; but upon realizing theseriousness
of the situation, be put on all the
steam he could command and commenced
a steady gain. But it was too late. The
work had already been done. The men
passed the finish line like bolts from two
catapaults, and Clover's man was a half
wheel length ahead. Time, 2.211-5.
Clover went wild. Neal was the biggest
man in town, and everybody seemed to
want to hug him.
The next race was a half mile, open to
all comers. The starters were Joe Reynolds
and Hunter Mauney, of King's
Mountain; wnismiin, .ionn jsmuo nuu
Will Jackson, of Clover, and John Ardrey.
Ardrey won with apparently but
little difficulty in one minute and eleven
seconds.
The third race was a half mile, open
only to boys under 14. The entries were
Paul Neely Moore, of Yorkville; Hutchison,
of Rock Hill, and Hope Brison, of
Clover. The first race the judges decided
to be a tie between Hutchison and Brison,
and, after an interval, the heat was run
over again.
Brison was the smaller of the two.
The Clover boys refer to him as "the
kid." He does not own a wheel; but
rode a man's heavy roadster. Sitting in
the saddle, he could scarcely reach the
pedals. At the start, Hutchinson led and
seemed to be going out an easy winner.
Presently, Brison slid down off his saddle
011 to the frame rod below and got to
business. It was an odd looking sight;
but the manoeuvre resulted in a significant
change. He began at once to steadily
gain on Hutchinson, and then forged
ahead. This lead he kept until the end
of the race and he went out an easy winner
in one minute thirteen and one-fifth seconds.
His riding was pronounced by
many to be the most remarkable of the
day. Young Brison was also accorded
an ovation. Captain John J. Smith led
the yelling, and had no apologies to make.
"Why, tbat'sjny boy !" he said. "That's
the boy that stays in the store with me,
and didn't I tell you he was going to beat
'em? Whoop-ee!"
The fourth race was a quarter mile, open
to all comers. The starters were Meacham,
Jackson, Dilling and Abernathy.
This race presented no especial features
except good, steady riding. Meacham
won in thirty-one and one-fifth seconds,
and Dilling came in second.
The fifth race?one mile, open to York
county riders only?was another exciting
event. It involved a supreme test between
John Ardrey and Oscar Neal. The
Clover people had worked themselves up
to high expectations, and a number of Fort
Mill boys were becoming very much interested
in their champion. But the Fort
Mil) boys were game. "I'll bet Neal '11
beat him," said an admirer of the Clover
scorcher. "Ten dollars to five he don't,"
answered a young man from Fort Mill.
The banter was not accepted, and whether
there was any betting the reporter is unable
to say.
The starters were Oscar Neal, John
Ardrey and John Smith. Pretty soon after
the start, Smith began to fall behind,
Ardrey shot out slightly ahead, and Neal
followed a close second. In this order
they flew around the track until within
about a hundred yards of the third quarter.
Both Ardrey und-Neal were down to
it l'or all they were worth. Ardrey was
close on the inside of the track, and Neal
tried to pass him. He appeared to be
gaining slightly ; but the space was so
narrow that he changed his mind and
made for the other side. Jnst at that moment
his wheel struck a rut in the track,
twisted to one side, and the rider went
headlong to the ground with terrific
force. He fell and rolled together a distance
of some 20 or 30 feet, and the big
crowd was horror struck. It looked like
the plucky young man was killed. \V. J.
Davis and others were on the track almost
in an instant and carried Neal to the
dressing tent. He maintained from the
first that ho was not hurt; but an ugly
contusion on the side of his face and a
limply hanging arm told a difterent story.
There was no more racing for Clover's
champion on that day. In the meantime,
Ardrey, who slacked up after Neal's fall
and almost abandoned the race, was warned
to go on. He finished in 2.40. It afterward
developed that although badly
shaken up, Neal was not seriously hurt.
The last race was a two mile, open to all
comers. The starters were (leorge Swift,
I. I). Robinson and John Smith. The
race was won by Swift in five minutes
and fourteen seconds, with Robinson
second.
The handicap race between Dr. A. Y.
Cartwright and Captain \V. R. Smith,
announced in Tim Knui'Ikkb of Wednesday,
failed to materialize. It developed
that the announcement was only a
bit of pleasantry on the part of the correspondent
who sent the names of the
entries. Captain Smith does not ride a
wheel; but told the reporter that he was
willing to try it afoot. Customers, how
ever, kept the captain so busy at his gin
that he was unable to get out to enjoy any
part of the fun.
CHARTER STUDY.
Pursuant to the call of the town council
of Yorkville, about 30 voters assembled
in the courthouse last Tuesday evening
to discuss, and hear discussed, the
merits of the general incorporation act,
for which it is proposed to surrender the
nreuont. ohnrter of the town?
The meeting was called to order by
Intendant Lowry, upon whose motion
Dr. J. F. Lindsay was called to the chair,
after which Intendant Lowry proceeded
to make a statement. Among other
things he said that when the present
couucil came into office, it found a debt
of $1,480, and it has been the policy of the
council to pay off that indebtedness before
making any improvements. It had
paid all but $750, and bad in the bank
some $000, so that at this time the town is
practically free of debt. If this debt was
paid, then there would be nothing left
with which to do necessary work on the
streets. The council had picked up a
good bargain in a rockcrusbing outfit;
but had no money with which to operate
it. "If we can get the money, we .are in
a position to do work on the streets
which will increase the value of your
property 20 per cent. Under the old
charter we find that it is impossible
to borrow $2,000 in installments of $500
each. Under the new charter, we are
advised by our attorney?and it is my
opinion also?that we can borrow all
the money we need. It is not the intention
of the present council to increase
the tax levy one dollar." He went on to
say that during the year and a half that
be bad been intendant, it bad been bis
experience tbat tbe town bad about $1,000
annually to use for improvements. Some
fl;nA " ** J* m?tr%ei nAAOCDartT tn noxr Allt fnr
UI bUig 11/ noo UQVOOOWi J W/ r*mj .w.
bridges, and there was left for work on
the streets, ouly the remainder augmented
as it might be by fines, etc. "Now,
we w ish to do such work as is necessary
all at once, and we want' the power to
borrow between 92,500 to ?3,000, to be
paid back out of the regular two mill
levy." Continuing, Intendaut Lowry
read section 18 of the general incorporation
act relating to the power to borrow
money, and construed the same to mean
that money could be borrowed under it
upon motion of the town council without
the necessity of submitting the matter to
a vote of the people. Then he. went on
to mention as another objection that had
been raised against the new charter, the
allegation that the mayor could receive a
salary. There could be no selfishness
charged against him on this score, however
; because it had been shown that there
would have to be a new election in the
event the new charter was adopted, and
he did not expect to be mayor again. He
could, however, by having office hours
and giving two hours a day to the matter,
employ another policeman and more than
pay the salary of mayor and policemen.
Intendant Lowry also said that in the
event of the adoption of the new charter,
it was not the intention of the council to
surreuder the present charter until November
or December.
Mr. J. S. Brice, attorney for the town,
was the next speaker. He also read section
18 of the general incorporation act, ,
and fairly and impartially discussed the
merits of the new charter, especially the
features in which it differs from the charter
under which the council is now supposed
to be operating.
Mr. Brice said that while he remembered
having been asked questions as to the
money-borrowing powers conferred by
the general incorporation act, he had not
said that the council would have any
more power to borrow money under this
general act than under the present act, for,
it is a fact that such is not the case, tie
thought that the council would have the
same power to borrow money in anticipa- i
tiou of taxes that it has now; but it could ;
not legally borrow for any one year any
more than the amount of the special tax i
levy pledged. A larger amount than the |
tax levy could only be borrowed upon j
corporate bonds, issued upou a vote of \
the people in accordance with the requirements
of the constitution. In answer
to a question, he said that if the
council could borrow $2,000 on its own
motion, it could borrow $10,000 in the
same manner.
That the town council would have the
right, under the new charter, to vote salaries
for its members he did not think
there was any question; but he did not
think that there was anything wrong in :
paying for such services. It was also
true that under the new charter, the council
would, on its own motion, have authority
to levy a tax of ten mills on the
dollar; but that it would do so he did not
think was probable. He also stated that
the general incorporation act provides for
two year terms, the division of the town
into six wards, and the election of one alderman
from each ward. He said also
that when the present town council breaks
loose from the present charter, it will have
to go out of office, and there will have to be
a new election. Hesnggested that the general
incorporation act might be amended
so as to limit the levy to two or three
mills, or that the question of tax levy
might be made an issue in each election
for municipal officers. Taken all in all, j
he could not see that there was any special
reason why the town should surren- (
der its present charter and take incorporation
under the general act.
Major.Jas. F. Hart appeared, presum- |
ably as a special advocate ol' the position
of the town council, and, unlike Mr.
Brice, took a one-sided position in favor (
of the change. He indulged in some sarcasm
at the expense of the "nowspapers"
as he put it, and suggested as one of the >
advantages of the proposed new charter, |
the fact that it would necessitate a new i
election, at which could be elected a town i
council that would please everybody. At i
the outset of his remarks, he said that i
under the proposed new charter, the i
council could borrow money for corporate
purposes, and gave the idea that there
would be no limit to the amount that (
could thus bo borrowed. Before couclu- t
ding, however, he said, in effect, as Mr. <
Brice had said, that there would be no
power to borrow money except in antici- 1
pation of the taxes. He referred to the i
fact that the town had been coniiued to a 1
levy of 20 cents 011 tne ?iw tor years, una t
claimed that the idea of trying to main- 1
tain a respectable government 011 such a s
revenue was ridiculous. It could not i
light the streets, it could not employ nee- 1
essary policemen for patrol purposes, and 1
could not employ watchmen to guard the j
town at night, etc. He thought the coun- t
oil should have power to raise more 1
money. While be did not think there
was any danger in the provision of the
charter allowing a 10 mill levy, he was
willing for an amendment providing that
in no event should the annual levy exceed
30 cents on the $100. But the question
of taxes was not by any means the
most important. In his opinion the most
acceptable feature of the general incorporation
act was that provision dividing the
town into wards. This would secure a
more representative government and put
a stop to so much kicking about partiality,
etc., in street improvement. He expressed
himself also in favor of a change
of the name of the town from Yorkville
to York, and gave as a reason that ville,
which originally meant village, gave an
idea of smallness. He said that if a majority
of the voters said so, the change
could be effected.
Warden Moore gave his reason for
wanting a new charter. He said it would '
enable the council to borrow money and
give a legal note for the same. Another
reason, was that the town is now in debt
to the amount of $750, and under the new
charter this amount could be carried forward,
which would be equivalent to borrowing.
The council bad not anticipated
anything except the crushing machinery,
and with the $750 provided for he was
satisfied that it could get along. The
talk about levying 10 mills he said was
"bngaboo." With six wardens, in proportion
to population, the town would
have stronger representation than the
state has in the legislature, and as all the
wardens would be taxpayers, he thought
they could be trusted in the matter of
taxation.
Warden Parish said be favored the new
charter because it was right. He did not
believe that the council would have any
more power to borrow money under it,
than under the present charter; but it r
would have power to levy additional
taxes, which it should do when necessary.
What he wanted was to do some work on
the streets, and for this purpose the council
needed ?2,000. He did not care whether
the money was raised under the proposed
new charter, or the present charter; but
if anybody would lend the amount specified,
we would be willing to continue
under the present charter.
Messrs. W. R. Carroll, S. M. McNeel .
and G. H. O'Leary offered to lend the
g750, previously mentioned, at 7 per cent,
if the council would give proper security
; but the offer was not accepted.
Warden Parish called upon Warden
McElwee for an expression of opinion;
but Warden McElwee had nothing to say.
He then addressed himself to Mr. Propst
and said : . i
"Let us hear from you. You are a
member of the 'sewing circle'."
"I came in after the sewing circle was
organized," replied Mr. Propst.
"Then you are a member of the'kindergarten,"
continued Mr. Parish.
"I'll have to accept that," replied Mr.
Propst in a tone which indicated that be
thought the name rather appropriate than *
otherwise, and there was laughter.
Mr. G. H. O'Leary said he was opposed
to the new charter principally on the
ground that it meant more taxes. The
town had been run on two mills for years,
and two mills are sufficient for rresent
needs. He could not agree with that the- 4
ory r.f finance which argued that the borrowing
of money involved no danger of
running the town in debt. If one council
should expend in one year, the reve
nues of the town for three years, there
would be no revenues available with
which succeeding councils might put up
monuments to themselves in the shape
of fountains and broken wasbpot drinking
troughs, and as there would be no
other way in which to raise money, there
would necessarily be an increase of the
tax levy. .He was opposed to any increase
of taxes, for taxes are high enough
now. Including taxes on railroad bonds,
state, county and educational purposes,
the people of Yorkville now pay over 2
per cent, in taxes, or 22 mills. His own
taxes amounted to as much as 91 a day.
Such high taxes were calculated to keep
away capital for one thing, and then also
they wore oppressive. Whatever might
be said of the probability of a 10 mill
levy, he was not willing to trust auybody,
not even himself, with power to make it,
and for these reasons, he thought it best
to continue under the present charter as
long as its provisions could be enjoyed.
In reply to the reference tothe"brokeu
wash pot" drinking trough, Intendant
Lowry said that the people up town had
as much right to a free drinking trough
as the people down town. Mr. W. R.
Carroll asked the intendant if he knew
who put in the drinking trough down
town. Inteudant Lowry replied, no. . ^
"You don't?" asked Mr. Carroll, in surprise.
"Then I'll tell you. It was put in
by a private individual?Mr. T. B. McClain?at
his own expense."
Intendant Lowry?Yes; but we furnish
the water iree.
Mr. Carroll?And so do you furnish it
free to your wardens, too. ,
Mr. W. Adickes said that there was no
danger of a 10 mill levy, and that such
t.ilU u'oa "tnmfiinlflPV." and "DOOVCOCk."
whatever those things are.
As the result of the discussion, it developed
that the ouly material differences
between the present charter, are as follows
:
The present charter provides for government
by an intendant and four wardens,
whose terms of office shall be one
year, while the new charter provides for
government by a mayor and six aldermen,
with a two years' term of office.
The present charter allows the selection
of intendant and wardens from any portion
of the town, while the new charter
provides for the division of the town into
<ix wards, and the electiou of a warden
from each ward. The wardens, however,
ire to be voted for at a central box along
,vith the intendant by the whole people, i
ind there is nothing to prevent a gerrymandering
of the wards in any manner
:hat the town council might desire, thus
making this provision a nullity.
The present charter limits the amount
\f t?m Ibvv that can be ordered by the
own couucil to two mills. The new
iharter extends the limit to ten mills. <
The legal right of the town council to
Sorrow money even to anticipate taxes,
s very doubtful, and it is just as doubtful
under the proposed new charter. Unler
either charter, the note given to se:ure
money so borrowed must be eudorted
by the members of the council as
ndividuals. Otherwise, the amount canlot
be collected by law. Of the fact that
mde: neither charter can the council
dedge the taxes of any year other than
he year for which the money is bor- 1
owed, there is no question, and except
A