Quincy Township (part 10 of 74)

This $100,000 subscription to the Quincy and Palmyra railroad was not completed as originally suggested and intended. The first proposition was that Quincy shoidd give $100,000 and that Palmyi-a and the Missouri counties interested would give an equal amount, onehalf of which ($50,000) was to be voted by Palmyra. On this expectation and understanding, the election was ordered by the council. The outside interests diil not come up to their promise but Quincy did, talcing as usual the heavy end of: the log, and the road was rapidly built maiiil>- on the liasis of the city subscription and the credit given by the same. The Qninc.v and Toledo road, from Camp Point to Meredosia, to which the city had voted $200.- 000, was diu-ing this year, under the active management of (ieneral Singleton, placed under contract in ^lay, rapidly pushed forward and so far finished to Mt. Sterling by Christmas that the cars were then running and a pleasant celebration was held at that place largely attended by people from Quincy. The eonstrnetiou of this road was by the aid and interests of the Toledo and Wabash with which it became consolidated a few vears later.

The assessed valuation of city property for the year was $3,020,895. On this was levied a tax of one-eighth of 1 per cent for school and one-half of 1 per cent for ordinary purposes to which was added a three-eighths of 1 per cent for railroad pvu'poses and later again of 1 per cent special tax to meet the interest on the Toledo K. K. bonds issued in January of this year. It api)eared to be the idea of the council in these times, to provide by special tax for the accruing interest on each separate issue of railroad bonds. This was a praisewoi'thy plan, which if it had been carefully carried out might have lightened the load which the city was compelled to shoulder with its great pile of overdue and maturing bonds, swelled liy years of delinquent interest.

The entire debt now was $707,060.73 of M'hich $500,000 was from railroad subscription and all of this except about $11,000 drawing interest. The estimated revenue for the year 1857 was placed at $75,000, a dark outlook, when the resource and liability figures were placed alongside each other in contrast.

The enuinei-ation of the houses, an essential in every city, was now for the first time ordered b.\- II1C council. Their first resolution fornmlating this pi'oject, was an anuisin.g alisurdity. It jircscrihccl that each 25 feet of lineal curbstone measure should coiisHtute a number, that Front street slionid be the l)ase for streets running east and west, the figures alternatin.g aci-oss the street every 25 feet, and this jiart of the plan has continued excepting that some dozen years later the convenient Philadelphia system, as it is called, was adojited Avliich makes the initial figures of each house number to corresp(uid with the initial figures of the street lioundiiig the lildck.

So far all was cori'ect, liut the otliei- part of the council resolution, established a double base for streets running north and south, one at Broadw-ay and the other State street, with a mixed ])resci-ii)tion for affixing of duplicating numliei's Avhich would have puzzled the oldest inhabitant I0 have found his way into or (uit of the city had he looked to these figures for guidance. It i)i'oved so practically absurd and confusing when put in operation, that it was abandoned and Maine street made the base from which to luimber north and south respectively. This enujneration of houses was done, luider a contract with the council, by ]\IcEvoy and Beatty, who at the same time prejiared a city directory. It was crude compared with later publications of the kind, but was by far the most thorough and complete of any that to this date had been prepared. All the earlier direct(u-ies, contained the same skeleton sketch of the town settlement, a few oft-told old stories and very incoinplete lists of names with great lack also of accurate designation of residences, etc. This book amplified all that was valuable in earlier directories in regard to city history, government, business and general condition, and contained about 4,500 names with residence and business carefulty located by numbers.

From this enumeration of 4,500 the estimate is a fair one that the population of nearly 11,- 000 in 1835 by the state census had now grown to above 12,000. This was proven by the census of 1860, three years later, when it was reported at 14,362.

This 1857 directory, so correct and concise in most particulars, fell into the stereotyped error of all such publications, by assuming the population of the place as 20,000. This tendency to over-count popiilation is common with census takers and reporters, and always tinds a ready endorsement in beliefs.

There were twenty established churches at this time in the city, eighteen Protestant and two Catholic. Services in fourteen of these were conducted in the English language, and in the others, in German.

The city had made a few years before, the very judicious purchase of eight acres of land lying south of and adjacent to Woodland Cemetery, known as the Hospital Grounds. There was no decided idea as to what special use this groinid should be applied to, but after some disagi'eement in the council, the "Poor House" building was ordered to be erected at a cost of about $2,700, and the ground became devoted to that use and also for a work house some time later.

For the first time there came up in the coimeil for consideration the liquor or saloon license question in the shape of a local option, such as then had not even a name, although the principle has now become a national issue. Petitions were poured into the council protesting against the granting of grocery or saloon licenses, (which meant the same) on portions of a street or in blocks where a majority of the property owmers or those doing other business there objected. The council took the position that they would be governed by such remonstrances in the matter of granting grocery licenses, and adhered to this i-estrictive policy tenaciously, except when, as very often, they didn't. It is a suggestive fact connected with this matter, and with the council legi.slation then (and which colors all legislation on this subject) that the grocery license for the preceding year amounted to $4,721, being more than the amount received from all the other licenses combined, proving itself to be the most fruitful source of revenue obtainable bv the

The local improvements, i>ernKiiient in kind, both public and private, for which Quincy has always been especially noted, went on the same as heretofore. As indicative of the extent to which improvement had been cari'ied, a discussion came up during this year, to wiiich the writer was a party, and from it a wager was made as to the amount of brick sidewalk then existing in the city. On this a calculation and measurement taken, showed that there -^vere thirty-three miles of such walk constructed, almost all of it twelve feet in width and in some cases sixteen feet wide. No other city in the United States, great or small, old or new, at this time w^as equally improved in this respect, and this feature continues. This extensive system of street improvement and completion, originated with the first years of the city, partially from necessity, and due also to a spirit of enterprise. The broken nature of the ground compelled an unusual amount of work in the form of levelling and making passable the thoroughfares, and these again demanded to be protected by the laying of gutters and sidewalks, and this custom spread into portions of the city farther perhaps than there was an actual need for such work to be done at the time. Seven streets, Broadway, Vermont, Hampshire. Maine, State and Delaware were at this time passably graded fi-om the top of the hill to the river and during this year the grade of Jersey was completed.

The systematizing of the city surveys and grades progressed under the direction of the city engineer, who reported having placed 250 stone monuments as points of reference at the street intersections. The "Public Sc|uare," which for twenty or more years had known no other name, was now formally, by resolution of the council, christened Washington Park. Private improvements, both in amount and value, far surpassed what had beeji made any former year. Nearly all of the costly and imposing four-story structures of the south side of Maine between Fourth and Fifth, facing the square were erected during this season. The two fine buildings of E. K. Stone, immediately east of the Quincy House, the Lomolino biulding, now owned by John Leaman, a few doors farther east, by far the most expensive constructed edifice in the city, and the most elaborately finished, co.sting nearly $20,000, and the four-stoi-y hmises of Flagg and Savage, at the corner of JIaine and Fifth, were all completed and occupied early in the fall. The rental of each of these la-st named houses w^as $2,000 per annum. The iletz building, on Maine street east of Fifth, was now built, and the

Equal with the many improvements made, Avas the transfer and sale of property to an extent such as had not before been known, and at rates jjrogressively high. A somewhat lengthy recital of some of those is worthy of note, as showing how well known property in tlp^e city was valued then in comparison with former and subsequent rates. The purchases were made mostly by our own people, but in a number of eases by speculators from abroad. The fifty feet at the southeast corner of Maine and Fifth streets (a short unoccupied lot) sold for .$:i()5 per front foot. The small lot at the southeast corner of Hampshire and Fifth, with the JH'ick house on it, still standing, bi'ought $7. TO"). These and many other of the sales made during this year were at public aiu'tion. A lot on Fifth street, immediately south of the old courthouse ground, 25 feet front, was piwchased for $430 per foot, this being the highest price up to this time which had ever been paid for city proj^crty. Tlv: Tiiayer building, a three-stoi'y brick at the corner of Maine and Fourth, embracing 50 feet ground, where the public library building is now being erected, M-as liought by James Parker for .$15,000. On Fi'(int street at the corner of Maine two large lirick warehouses, these also being the property of the Thayers, who failed about this time, sold for $11,000 cash. The quarter of the block at the southwest corner of Broachvay and Fifth, then and ever since iised as a lumber yai'd, changed owners for $20,000. In other parts of the city farther away from business centers many sales were made at correspondingly high figures. In Moulton's addition the half of two large lots was sold for $2,180, the entire two lots having been purchased the year before for $2,000, projiertv on the corner of Vermont and Twelfth, $22.00 per front foot. Ground on the hillside on Maine, west of Third, brought $170 per foot. A large sale was made of ground on Ninth and York for $5,000 to the Dick brothers, which became the foundation of their great bi-ewery. Outside of and near the city the same high rate of value ruled, and many transfers Avere made. Eighty acres, a mile and a half north of toAvn, which had been purchased but a few weeks before for $16,000 was offered at auction and sold at an advance of nearly $4,000. There never before, except about 1835-36, when the town Avas comparatiA'ely small, has been recorded so lively a traffic in propei-ty based on the groAving prospects of the place, and most of these inA'estments, like those of the earlier date, proved remunerative. The Avidoning business of the citA^ stimulated the idea of forming a "Board of Trade," an institution ahvays of A'alue to a commercial city and of Avhich in like name or character Quiney has had so many. This Avas the first organization of the kind. It Avas formed in May Avith C. 31. Pomeroy as j^resident and a large membership of most of the prominent business men of the city. It centered interest, Avas useful, and like several other such of later exi.stenee lasted but a year or tAvo, fi'om some fatality Avhieh seems to unfortunately attach to such associations, and is noticeable chiefly as being the first enterprise of the kind formed in the city.

The business shoAving of the year Avas actiA-e and generally prosperous notwithstanding the failure of the largest business house of the city (the Thayers, Avhose store, mill and distillery comprehended much the most extensive operations, that up to this period had been carried on in the place) and also the suspension of tAvo leading banking houses. The Avinter business of 1856-57 Avas fair, though less than usual in some branches. Navigation had been free for a portion of the season. It Avas suspended liy the river being frozen, from December 8th to the 15th of the last year, AA-as resumed at the latter date, and continued until the early part of January Avhen the ice became fast, and so stayed until the 18th of Februaiy Avhen it finally opened for the season, affording good boating facilities until the last Aveek in NoA'ember, then became very low, but remained open Avith only occasional numing ice throughout the folloAA'- ing Avinter.

The season Avas a memorably cold one. On the 9th of February occurred one of the most severe snoAV storms Avithin memory, folloAved by rain, sleet and an intense cold, covering the country Avith ice and almost suspending travel. even on many of the railroads. Springfield could only be reached from Quiney by going by the Avay of Mendota and Bloomington.

The old staple Avinter industry of the place shoAved some falling off from the record of previous years. About 38,300 hogs ouly aggregating in Aveight of product 8,989,462 pounds Avere packed during the Avinter, some 5,500 less in niuuber than Avere put up in the year before, although not so much less in Aveight. This or nearly the same percentage of decrease in the pork j^roduct of the year, Avas general in the Avest at this time. Other manufacturing interests evidenced increasing business and success. The .stoA^e foundry business among others, had already groAvn to be A-ery extensive, furnishing a large area of country, and employing many Avorkmen. One, the Phoenix .stoA'e Avorks of Comstock & Co., reported as its annual business, running info the Avinfer of 1856-57, haA^- ing- made of cookiug stoves 5,518, heating stoves 1,488, parlor stoves 2,460, a total of 9. 456, in the manufacture of which they used 987 tons of eoal, 20,000 bushels of coal and coke and 200 cords of wood, employing- an average of 60 workmen whose wages amounted to !fi30,232.42, and the aggregate business of the firm was over $100,000. This was the largest of the several stove foundries, but work was done by others in equal proportion, amounting altogether to about $200,000 of maiHifacture of this kind in the city.

The "Quiney Savings and Insurance Company" which became the First National Bank of Quiney, opened as an exchange and banking house, early in August. This made the foui'th banking house now in operation, the others being the '"Bank of Quiney," and the two firms of "Flagg & Savage" and "Moore, Ilollowbush & Co." The two latter failed a few weeks later. Quiney had now its first experience in a financial disaster and panic, but somewhat strangely, though there was much of excitement, business operations generally were but slightly afit'ected. There was a money panic all over the country in the fall, especially wild in the west, and many failures, all the great banking houses of St. Louis being forceci to suspend and bringing down with them houses with which they were associated or which were dependent upon them. This told with some efil'ect in Quiney. One of the indirect causes for this condition of affairs, was the horde of private state chartered banks which flooded the country with their handsomely pictured promises to pay, and which were scattered everywhere with most christian benevolence but unchristianlike were finally found to be without any redeemer. The monetary panics and business depressions in all past time may be mainly traced at almost every period of disaster to these home-made banks of state law parentage. There had been no suspicion of insolvency attaching to any of the Quiney banks though failures elsewhere were daily being published, when the town was surprised on the 28th of September to see the notice on the door of ]\Ioore, Ilollowbush & Co. of their suspension and at the same time was spread, the news of the failure of S. & W. B. Thayer. A co-incident case occurred about twenty years later when the failure of the largest business house of the city brought with it the suspension of the largest bank. The house of Flagg & Savage was equally or still more crippled by the failure of the Thayers but held the confidence of the public in its solvency to such an extent that the run upon them was slight, but about six weeks later it was compelled to close doors, resuming after a short period of suspension, Init finally gave up and i^ermanently closed. The failure of these three houses was for a long time felt by many but caused no marked depression in general prosperity.

The permanent failure of the banking house of Flagg & Savage which occurred several months later, and after their temporary resumption, was a much regretted affair. While, as before stcited, the closure of this and the other banking houses had no serious influence on the current business, for the reason that the city was in healthy progress and its business was peculiarly strong and solvent, yet the lii'eaking down of this bank was generally felt to lie a personal and public sorrow and misfoi'tiine.

It was the first private iKinking enterprise of the city. Its proprietors were free, generous, lavish indeed of their and to whatever was of a public interest or a private charitable appeal, and the personal popularity of the institution and its managers was well nigh universal. At the time of their first suspension, so strong was their hold upon the public confidence and sympathy that a notice was published, signed by quite a ninnber of the wealthiest citizens, expressing faith in their solvency and ottering the assistance of their individual credit and means. No such guarantee was made at the time of their final failure in 1860. It would have been useless if given and was not asked for.

The year was a somewhat jieculiar one in its climatic conditions, with varying temperature and less healthy than usual. The city was somewhat severely scourged and scared still more by a smallpox visitation during mid-, sunnner and again in the fall. The matter was met and promptly provided against, by unusual system on the part of the city authorities, or rather by the mayor. ]\Ir. Thayer, the same whose financial failure occurred about this time, who as mayor, however, proved to be one of the most capable and effirient business men that ever filled the position.

An episode of this year was a rattling earthquake shock in July, which pervaded the Mississippi Valley and was pronounced by old inhabitants as the most severe of any that had shaken up the country since the famous great earthquake of 1811. The names of a number of well known citizens passed to the death roll of the year. Among these in March, was the Rev. Joseph Kunster, of the German Catholic church, who had been resident here for a number of years and became more than usually well known and influential* generally. I\Ir. Alexander Savage, a former citizen of Maine and for several years resident in Qiiincy, died in the latter part of July at the age of 77. Mr.

Levi Wells, one of the few reiiiaining real pioueer fouuders of county aud city, ended an honored life on July 11th, aged 6-i. Mr. Wells had long been an Illinoian, dating his citizenship farther back than any other of the old settlers. He was born in Connecticut in ]793; came to Illinois (which was then a territory) in 1818. a year before the advent of his two later life pioneer associates. Wood and Keyes. both ' f whom survived him. He came to Adams county (then Pike) in 1824: was in 1825 elected one of the tirst three county connnissioners. with Willard Keyes and Peter Journey. This office he held during the first three years of the county history and early times of Quincy. He was averse In luililic positions, and held no other in after life. lie early in life engaged in mercantile husniess. and was the possessor of a large property in and ad.iaceut to the city. He was of a decided religious nature, being one of the founders of the First Presbyterian (now the First Congregational church) and of the present Presbyterian church, in which he was the leading elder from its organization until his death. His philanthropy kept pace with his religion and his charities, though unobtrusive, were many and judicious, and his longlife here was attended with public and personal respect, as was his death, with regret.

A marked increase aooeared about this period, one that continued for some time after, in the foreign immigration, which had relatively fallen otf of late years. This was almost entirely German. The earliest foreign engraftment to any great extent upon the population of the i)lace had been of Germans, about 1834. a few as early as 1833, and the immediate succeeding years. In 1836 and thence along until 1839-40, a very large settlement of Irish came in. induced by the state, public improvements and the railroad labor re(|uired here at the time. These mostly remained, and a large percentage among the Irish families of the city now coimf hnck their coming to that date. Later on, ahout LS4(I. and for ten to tifteen years, a steady stream of German immigration flo^ved in. very lai-gely some years, which had, however, began to gradually decrease, and now in 1857, for some reason not apparent here, it revived again. One steamer in Jlay landed one liimdred emigrants who had shipped direct fi-oiii (iermany for Quincy, and othei' arrivals in like character and number came in from time to time dui'ing the season. It was an odd, though it had become a common sight, a few years before, to tind in the early morning, the entire public landing covered by these families with their multifarious household goods of every description, many of them cumbi'ons articles, whose bullj and weight maih' the cost of transportation to infinitely e.\ceed their value, and perhaps among the scores of newcomers not a single person was able to speak or understand the language of the land where they had come to make a home.

The political record of the year after the .spring election, had little of interest, there being no general election in the state, except for county officers. The only important federal office in the city, that of postmaster, was filled by the reappointment of Austin Brooks, editor of the Herald. At the fall election a so-called "independent" ticket for county officers was put into the tield in opposition to the nominees of the democratic party. Nominally "independent," it was composed of and supported by the whigs, who, though their party organization was abandoned, had not as yet chry.stalized completely into the republican party, of which they then and since formed the main numerical strength in the north. The election resulted in the usual democratic success. W. IT. Gather (re-elected). Alex. Johnson, and Wilson Lane being chosen for county judge, clerk and treasurer, respectively, over W. S. Lee, John Field and Thomas Durant, by about 700 majority, with the exception of the vote on clerk. Field, a very popular man, carrying the city by nearly 250 votes, though beaten in the entire county by about the same figures. The general democratic majority in the city averaged about 100. The vote of the city at this election was 1,327, that of the county (city ineluded) 3,870. There was a surprising falling off in the vote given at this election, as compared with that of the last year, and also at the mayor's election in April, proving how utterly defective aiul >inreliable election returns are as a basis for estimating population. The ]iopulatiou of both city and county were unquestionably rapidly increasing, yet the comity vote (')f 6,229 in November, 1856, had now dropped nearly two-fifths, and that of the city, which amounted to 1.730 eight months before, fell away nearly one-fourth.

The periodical movement was made towards the establishment of a collegiate institution, a charter for that purpose having been obtained at the last session of the legislature. The leaders in the project and trustees of the proposed school or college were from among the most liberal and representative men in the city. John Wood. Willard Keyes, Samuel Holmes. E. Grove, R. S. Benneson, S. C. Sherman, H. Foote, G. L. King. S. II. Emory, W. .McCandlish, J. R. Dayton, O. H. Browning, L. Kingman, L. Bull and C. A. Savage, and the Rev. J. J. Marks, pastor of the Presbyterian church, was selected as the president of the institution.

It was tiie design that there shiuilil he t\v(i departments (male and female) sejiarately h)- cated, but to be under one general sui)ervisiou or charge. A block of ground, at the southeast corner of State and Twelfth streets, was donated by Governor Wood, and one also by Mr. Keyes, on Eighth and Vine, conditioned on the Slim of $75,000 being subscribed by citizens. The enterprise was not completed as originally inteiuled, l)ut was a partial success, resulting in the support of two very excellent schools for several years, each of a much higher pretension and proficiency than any that had previously existed in the city.

Amusements kept even pace with all the other several advances. A theatre with regular |)erforniances six evenings in the week, was the leading contribution in this line. It was located in the city hall and continued during nearly all the earlier portion of the year. The management was in the hands of Thomas Duff, the veteran actor; was well conducted and popular, giving far more satisfaction to the public than it proitably did in a financial sense to its proprietor.

Beside the theatrical amusements before mentioned, other like gayeties and attractions, such as are incident to a city, were frequent and continuous during the year, far more than at any previous period. Military and firemen and society displays and iiai-ades. and excursions to neighboring cities and incursions of similar associations to Quincy. were of common occurrence.

The city had taken a long step forward in metropolitan appeai'anee. While it would not be kind to say that its people put on city airs, it was however the evident fact that the place had assumed a citj' air, such as was observable now for the first time. The many and handsome buildings erected during this and the last year; the liberal ini|irovements and ex]ienditui'es wliic-li the city had made; the enlarged variety of occupations which had been rapidly established ; the prosperous show of business with its accompanying flush of money and free expenditures of the same, and largely the effect of the increased and quickened facilities for travel and communication with other places near or distant, which invited also a corresponding advent of strangers and passing travelers to the city, far in excess of what had ever lieen, these wei-e among the causes which gave the city its peculiai'ly lively and attractive appearance.

It would be safe perhaps to say that there were ten visitors during this year to one coming into the place five years before. It was not longei' than that period past, when, whenever a stranger made his appearance, the whole community, village like, would note his coming, inquire and soon find out who he was. what he was after, etc. Not so now. This year marked a social change in that respect which was permanent. People came and went with as little notice, unless some peculiarity attached to them, as they did in London or New York, or do in Quincy today. A new era had now commenced. With its landing alive with activity and laden with piles of shipment for its daily line of steamers ; with its punctual railroad whistle, telling the time and also the coming and going of travelers by the score; its city nuisance and necessity, the noisy but convenient "bus line to all parts of the city"; its hotels thronged with guests, and, influenced by all the new surroundings, the people assuming, unconsciously to themselves, a more ipiick, prompt manner and action, personally and in business. Quincy now, thirty-tw^o years from the date of its founding, seventeen years subsequent to its incoi-poration as a city, fully exhibited the characteristics of such, and felt itself to be one.

Editoiual Preface

In taking \ip and i-arrying on the history of Quiney from the ])oint at which it was left by Col. Tillson. and then in following- with a general history of Adams County, a topical method has been employed. The chronological plan pursued by ('ol. Tillson was not deemed practicable with the time at command. In thus tracing in a topical way the leading features of the history of the city and the county, all available historical works have l)een consulted and information has been received from innumerable i)ersons. In a number of instances credited ai'ticles will be observed and to the authors thereof and to all othei' persons who have contributed so generously to their time, thought and labor, or of infoi-mation, I desire to express my sincere obligation.

Cicero F. Perry

It was not by accident that John Wood and Willard Keyes wei-e attracted by the site of what became Quiney. Those pioneers were men of intelligence and good judgment. They saw and were convinced, not merely for the present but also for the future. Whether in looking over the then wilderness these men perceived as by intuition those peculiar natural advantages which are making Quiney so famous for manufactui'ing, they at least saw many things calculated to attract and hold population. Nor were those far sighted pioneers impressed by the material view-point alone: They also saw and were duly impressed with the natural scenic advantages of which our people are so justly proud. Standing upon our noble bluffs, at present Indian ilounds I)ark, or Riverview park, the gaze of the pioneers swept the majestic Mississippi River far away to the north and far away to the south and across the river to the west far beyond the dark blue forest lines - views not exceeded in grandeur along the entire length of the great river. Easily may we under stand how those glorious views from the fine bluffs, now happily secured to the people of Quiney forever, made a powerful impression upon the minds of the first settlers. They foinid the material outlook ecjually inviting and it goes without saying that the material advantages were fully appreciated by such men. They realized full well the importance of a settlement being surrounded by good soil, and they were judges of soil. All around the site of the proposed settlement, and for an indefinite distance, they found the very best liasis for that essential calling - agriculture.

In considei'ing the nuitter of trade and commerce, there at the feet of the grand bluffs Mowed the mighty stream, a potent, convenient means for conveying to the outside world the pfodurts of the rieh lands, of the forest, or of handicraft, antl the means, as well, of bringing needed commodities into the settlement. Other pioneers came and also saw that it was good - and thns Qniney was born.

Eighty years is a long time in tlie life of a liuman lieing. liiit it may be little more than childhood in the life of a city. Athens is 3,(H»0 years ohl ; London, 1.800; Edinburgh, 1,300: "and Vienna, almost !I00 years old. St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest city in the United States, is only 840 years old. Quincy. which was founded May 1, 1825 - eighty years ago todsiy, .Mny 1, IDUr.^-caii only be ("ailed "old" in (-(iiiiparisoii with cilics that are vei'v, very young, as tlii^ lilV of citii's destined to live are measured.

And nothing could he more certain in the natural order th;iii that (^iiincy is destined to live. While miishr<iom growth has never been hers, such has been the excellent character of her population, such their thrifty progressive methods, that the Quincy of today has I'eached a degree of inherent strength and solidity the extent of which is most gratifying and encoui-aging. Striking proof of this inherent strength seen during the tinancial panic of 18!)3. While all over the nation banks wei'e tottering, not one of the banks in Quincy was affected, lint why should a city not be financiall.N' sti'onu', in which so nuiny manufacturers depend so largely upon their own capital, a city in which there is between .$8,000,000 and $9,000,000 in the savings banks ,'

It is not alone by striking increase in population that the true worth or the real progress of a city is measured, and the life of Quincy presents innumeralile facts amply .iustifying satisfaction and pride. Pre-eminently a manufacturing city, the enterprise and merits of our magnitieent industries have made nuirkets in all parts of the world, and which ai-e constantly being cnlai'ged with (-on'csi)ondiiig profit and fame to (,)iiincy. Essentially a city of homes, the large inimber of our tasteful and elegant residences arc constantly in evidence and steadily im-rc-ising. Such has Ihmmi Quincy's progi-css in education that our p\d)- lic and ju-ivate schools and higlici' institutions of learning ran!.: with the best, and in our splendid are students repi'esenting all parts of the Ignited States. Quincy's ]irofound interest in I'eligion is made clear liy the very great number and the hc.-nity of our chui-ches.

The record o!' individual attainments is no less- pleasing than the history of geiun'al progress. "Quinc>' has never lacked in men of ability," once renuirked a venerable pioneer, and the lUfinifestation of that ability has not been limited to local affairs. It has been seen in the state legislature, the halls of congress, the Pnited States Senate; on the State Bench and at the State Bar; in ^Medicine and other learned l)rofessions ; in education, authorship, the drjima, musii- ; in the puli)it and foreign mission fields; on inn\unerable hard fought battlefields; in all honorable walks (jf lite may be loiuid plain evidences of the notable or distinguished aliility of Quincy men or women who have thus reflected lustre upon their beautiful home city.

.\ll things considered, it is doubtful if the Intnrc for (Quincy has been at any time in its jirevious history as encoTU'aging as it now is at the end of the eighty years of Quincy's life. This exceptionally bright prospect is due to various causes, but in the main to one reason of pre-eminent importance - the satisfactory condition of the city's bonded indebtedness. Foi- a generation or more Quincy's bonded debt hung as ;i dark cloud over the fair city, injuring its credit abroad, deterring imigration and imcstment, discouraging our own people. What the ])opulation of Quincy might \)f today hilt for that tremendous drawback, i,s wholly spt^cnlaf ive, but that our population \\'oul(l lie much greater is bevond question.

which the city's indebtedness is being extin- Ljiiishcd in a manner not burdensome, and with such rapidity that in a little more than a decade the last vestige of the debt and interest will be paid. But in nuiny im])ortant ways the I'oming of that great day <if financial tlelivei'- ance - an event worthy of a j\d)ilee - has already been discounted. One of the restdfs is that the credit of Quincy is now second to none in tin- Tnited States, while the ett'ects at lioiiic lia\c liccii highly stimulating and enc(iiir:igiiiL;\ liriiiuing renewal of coiilidence and a line spiiit of progress calculafccl to pi-oduce friiit iif L;rcal moment to Quincy.

With the gi-oiiiid thus fallow,' wif li the cify about til enter upon a new ei'.a of local impi'ovcincnts, with onr manufacf ni'iiiu'. niercantdc and other interests all in a Ihnu'ishing state, all of the conditions now point to a new pi-ogi-ess that is to place our Iteautiful city in flic proud position to which destiny should accord if by reason of its magnificent natural and acipiired advantages.

Chapter Xxxvi

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS - SrCCESSIVE LIST OF MAYORS - ERA OF IMPORTANT LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS - ADOPTION' OF GENERAL LAW - CITY HALL BUILDING. ETC. - PARK AND BOULEVARD WORK.

It i.s the intention in tliis part of the work to avoid, as far as may be. repetition of pioneer history of Qnincy given by Col. Tillsou. In certain instances, as in the successive list of mayors, some repetition is atlvisable. Two of the most important events in the life of the city, namely, the refunding of the city's bonded debt, and the iinal settlement of the water works question, are dealt with, respectively, in separate chapters. Following is a successive list of the mayors of Quiucy :

Following is the list of city officials selected, with the exception of the police magistrate, at the election held April 4, 1905, the terms of office being two years, excepting for justices of the peace and constables, whose terms are four years; Mayor, John A, Steinbach; city clerk, John A. Berlin : city attorney, Thos. A. Scherer: city engineer', Fred L, Hancock; city treasurer, Howard J. Wheeler: police magistrate, Wm. Scheid. Aldermen : first ward, H. B. Coftield and Thad. M. Rogers; second ward. George Koehler and W. A. Dickason; third ward. G'ottlieb Schantz and Otto J. Bergmann: fourth ward. C. H. Achelpohl and Joseph Nauert ; fifth ward. A. C. Bickhaus and John J. ]\Ioriarity : sixth ward. John Horbelt and W. H. Collins; seventh ward, W. K. Abbott and Chas. C. Crooks. The present appointive city officials are : Chief of Police, John Ahren : chief of the fire department. George Schlag; city corporation counsel. Theodore B. Pape: special tax collector. Homer D. Dines: president of the board of health, John Ahern : secretary board of health and police clerk. W. P. Hild ; superintendent of the board of public works, Thomas Redmond. Board of Local Improvements: John A. Steinbach, president; Henry P. Walton, secretary; Fred L. Hancock, public engineer; market master, Adam Helfrich. These are the town officials elected April 4th : Assessor, Henry Steinkamp ; supervisor-at-large, A. B. Hitmmert; assistant supervisors, Jas. R. Albright, John A. Connery, Wm. J. Cnnnane. Henry Geschwindner, Rudolph B. Kiefer. John Sehauf, Daniel L. Sullivan. F. P. Taylor. Justices of the Peace : John A. Allen, P. Wm. Heckenkamp, Ben Heckle, Robert A. Lowry. J. P. [McDonnell. Constables : W. A. Bradney, Simon J. Fischer. Daniel Mc- Iiityre. Herman Tansman, Jacob Wible.

[Merely the length of time that Mr. Steinbach has been retained as mayor would indicate .some strong attraction for such popular support, and this is found in the good management of the city's fiscal affairs. Without detraction of ei'edit due to others, in the conceiving, shaping and formulating of these excellent fiscal policies, notably with regard to the manner in which the city's bonded indebtedness is being paid, and the plan by which the city may in the near future become the owner of the water works, especial and great credit is due to [Mr, Theodore B. Pape, the city's corporation counsel for the last decade. The office of corporation counsel was created by ordinance in 1895. on which [Mayor Steinbach appointed [Mr. Pape to the position, in which be has been retained ever since, with highly important benefits to the people. A lawyer of the first class, possessing judgment of the highest order, Mr. [Pape has not merelj' safeguarded the city's legal interests most admirably, he has also been the city's general adviser and financial genius. ^Ir. Pape formulated both the plan for refunding the city's debt, and that by which the city may finally, and with comparative ease, become the owner of the water works - services whose great value will be recognized by future generations even more clearly than they are now. By far the greater part of Mr. Pape's services to the people have been due solely to his fine public spirit and are (juite beyond the legal work for which he has been so inadequately compensated.

Another city official meriting especial commendation for public spirit is Mr. Henry P. Walton, the city superintendent of streets for the last ten years. In his seventy-third year, possessing independent means, the services of this venerable citizen also have been due to his desire to help further the interests of the city.

Local Public Lmprovements

Of the state legislation atit'ecting the organic life of Quincy, the law in 1883, allowing special taxes of three mills each, for lighting, water and sewers, had a notably good ett'ect on Quincy, whose revenue previously had been so inadeiiuate as to lead to very serious results. These results had included a debt repudiation movement, which was stopped by the courts, with the result that the city was compelled to pay the costs as well as the indebtedness.

In 1887, in line with its generally progressive trend, the city began an era of local improvements, which lasted four years, or till 1901. and with benefits of great importance to the city, in the way of .street paving and sewer work, etc. The fir.st brick street paving was laid on the east side of Washington park, in the spring of 1887. During the four years, street paving to the average extent of about two miles or at a cost of about $65,000 a, year, was laid, although not all of it was brick. The cost was met mainly by special taxation of contiguous property, the city paying for paving street intersections. At the time that the improvement era was brought to an abrupt close by act of the state legislature, the cost of brick paving had been reduced to about $2.75 per front foot. The board of local improvements had lieen giving very car.-ful attention to the permanent improvements, seeking as far as possible to avoid inflicting hardships on property owners, and there was uo public evidence of dissatisfaction. Yet without the knowledge of the city, the state legislature, at the instance of a coterie of private citizens passed a law which has effectually stopped such extensive improvements up to this time, 1905. The obstructing law requires consent representing half the property frontage before leaving or sewer work may be done by special taxation or special assessment. This act was obviated by an amendment in 1903, but the amendment proved to be unconstitutional. Among the unfortunate effects of the law of 1901, was its stoppage of extensive sewer building plans contemplated by the city, to which the city proposed to contribute out of general taxes, $10,000 a year. The initial ^vork, was the building of the trunk sewer from Thii'd and Oak .streets to Fourth and Cherry, shortly before 1901. It was the intention to continue this work, by stages, the city and contiguous property contributing to the cost, till the trunk sewer had been extended to Locust sti'eet and east, v,'henee laterals would drain the northeastern portion of the city. Owing to the obstructing law. this great and extremely desirable w(U'k has been in abeyance, also much private building. There had been comparatively little sewer work done during the inijirovement era - not nearly so much as was called for by public and private needs.

In this connection these statistics are given, fi'om the report of City Engineer Hancock foi' 1904: Area of the city in squai-e miles, 5.6 : miles of brick street paving, twenty-two (fractions omitted here) : Macadam paving, eleven; total paving, thirty-four miles; miles of streets unimproved, fifty-six ; miles of brick sewers, five ; tile sewers, twenty ; total sewers, twenty-six miles.

P.y popular vote in 1895, Quincy abandoned its .vpecial '-harter and adopted the general law of the state, thus putting the city in line with other general law cities. One result of the progressive step, in which movement, former Comity Judge Carl E. Epler took a leading part, was to lengthen the term of elective city officials one year to two years. Under the general law, the city was redistricted into seven wards, an increase of one ward.

Quincy Boulevard And Park Association Work

In line, also, with what might be termed the local improvement renaissance of the city, the Quincy Boulevard and Park Association was incorporated July 23rd, 1888, the initial work having been begun by private citizens.

The first revenues of the Association were dei-ived from membei'ship fees ($5.00), private subscriptions from citizens generally and owners of property abutting on the b(udevards. As complaints were made about the burden falling iiiKiii a few citizens, the Association interested itself in framing laws which was afterwards passed, permitting citizens whose indebtedness was above the constitutional limitation, to levy a special tax of from one to three mills for park and boulevard purposes.

The proposition for a one mill tax was submitted to the voters of (.^uincy, but was defeated. In 1895 the proposition was submitted a second time, and was adopted b.v a slender majority. Later, a proposition was submitted for an increase in the park tax from one to two mills. It was twice defeated, but in 1902 when submitted for a third time, it was carried l)y a small majorit.v.

Madison Park, the title to which is in the City of Quincy, was formerly an abandoned cemetery, and upon petition to the Cit.v Council, it was turned over to the Association, for its care and improvements, in 1888, though improvements were not commenced until 1892.

Riverview Park. - In November 1891 the City of Quincy at the instance of the As.sociatiou. completed the purchase of this site on the River Bluffs - about five acres at a cost of -ii7,000. The money was taken out of general revenues. In 1895 an additional four acres was purchased at a cost of .$3,000, of which $800 was raised by i)ublie subscription.

South Park. - This site was the old Watson Springs property, and at the suggestion of the Association was purchased in 1895, by the cit.v, of Judge B. P. Berrian at a cost of $375 per acre for 521^ acres, or $19,500. Afterwards an additional two acres was purchased of Cyi-us H. Whitne.v at a cost of $700, on which was built an imposing stone bridge over Curtis Creek, at a cost of $6,000. In 1904, a second addition to this park of seventeen acres was purchased of W. H. Pui'pus and others for $5,400. Later Judge B. F. Berrian donated to the cit,v an additional ten acres to South Park.

Indian Mounds Park. - In 1896. the city declining to buy what is now Indian ilounds Park, the association purchased, the following year, ten acres of this property for $3,000. later adding four aei-es at a cost of $1,000, taking title to the fourteen acres in the Quincy Boulevard and Park Association. Afterwards the Association leased twelve acres adjoining, from the Phoenix JIutual Life Insurance Company, of Hartford, Con.n.

On April 16th, 1900, on the second petition of a large luunber of taxpayers, the City Council adopted a resolution placing under the care of the Quinc.v Boulevard and Park Association, Washington Square, situated in the center of the cit.v. and Franklin Square, a few blocks south. " .Mr. R. W. Gardner donated $500 for the improvement of the fountain in Washington Stjuare.

The total pai'k acreage in Quincy, the title to which is in the cit.v or the Association, not including the two last named public squares, is 151 acres. The value of the city parks and s(iuares has been officially estimated at $215,000.

The aniuial revenue of the Association consists of $10,000 from the two mill tax, about $1,000 from the Town of Quincy, and about ii^l.SOO from dog license fees. Since its incorporation in 1888, the Association has received from these sources, inclviding membership fees up to the present time $61,987.27.

Considering the short time the parks have l)een under the care of the Association, and the limited revenue, the progress made in developing the plans of the landscape gardeners, the construction of permanent bridges, roads and walks, and planting of hundreds of thousands of trees and shrubbery, has been renuu-kable.

Edward J. Parker is president of the Association, Edwin A. Clarke, treasurer, and F. W. ilunroe, secretary, the latter succeeding Homer D. Dines, who succeeded P. L. Dickhut. Mr. Dickhut was secretary for many .years and rendered services of much value.

In point of wholesome perpetual enjoyment to the people of Quinc.v, in the aft'oi-ding of beautiful places for healthful rest and recreation, by adding to ground values and in the stimidatiou of pi'ivate enterprise, the benefits from the work of the Quincy Boulevard and Park Association cannot be estimated in money - its varied values are beyond computation, not merely for the present generation, but also f(u- future generations. And while great credit is due to the many excellent citizens and to the press of the city, for the loyal support and aid in the work, the most distinguished credit is due to ]\Ir. EdAvard J. Parker. Froiu the very inception of the work, Mr. Parker has been its official head and its leading spirit. Thi-ough all the years, he has given liberally of his means and daily of his time and best thought to the work. One of the most im- ])ortant phases of his service has been his care in selecting landscape gardeners. Mr. H. W. S. Cleveland, of Minneapolis, was employed until he w.-is superaiumated, since wliieh time Mr. 0. C. Simonds, the eminent landscape gardener of Chicago, has been employed. This is but a single instance of the wise foresight of Mr. Parker, whose tireless energy, constant supervision, wise policies, splendid judgment and tine i)td)lic spirit have been the leading factors in this great park work, whose incalculable heiicHts will lie enjoyed by the ])eople of Quiiicy, ;nid niU\ to it prestige for all liiiie.

It might bi> inferred that one possessinu' till' strong interest of ^Lr. Parker for park and (iiit-(l(Mir art work would not be limited to one locality, even his own city, and in fact, Mr. Parker has been and is doing valuable work of a nation, d cluiractei- in this direction. His .-iddress, delivered at Boston, I\lass., August, Pini', as retiring president of the American Park and Outdoor Art Association, possessed exceptional value, both for its historical interest and for its numerous and important suggestions and reconnnendations. Of tlie historical features of llie address, one of the most important and extremely interesting was a resume of the remarkable interest and profound foresight and sagacity, considering the period, shown by our first president, George Washington, in relation to the beautification of the X;iti(Uial Capital. President AVashington and Alajm- I/Enfant fornmlated a plan for that great work, which, notwithstanding the lapse of more than a century, has been recently decided by eminent authority, to be the best basis for the beautification of Washington. This research by Mr. Parker led to an interesting result in St. Louis, Mo., June 11, 1904, during the Ijouisiana Purchase Exposition. At the annual meetings, held then, by tlie American Park and Outdoor Art Association and the American League of Civic Improvement, the two associations were merged into what was named the American Civic Association. ]Mr. Parker introduced at the joint meeting of the associations, the following resolution, which was adopted by a luianimous vote:

"Whereas. The beauty and urandeur of the National Capital are matters of National iml)ortance, of deep intei-est to every citizen of the Union ; and

"Whereas, They arc absolutely dependent upon the arrangement and foi-m ^^-hich may be li'iveu to the increase which must take place in the governmental structures and grounds and other public works at Washington, as inevital)l>- as the Nation grows in numbers, wealth aiul civilization: and

"Whereas. An extension and adaptation of that original project, devised with skill and painstakiuu' care to meet the changes of a century of growth, is now I'ecommended as the best guide foi- riilure improvement, by a very able co'.nmissioii aiipointed at the instance of the American Institute of Architects by the Thiited States Senate, and consisting of

"THEKEFOKE. P.E IT KESOLVED, That the President of the American ('ivic Association be instructed to appoint a st.-mding comnuttee of five persons, to assist in promoting the project set forth in the report of the said conunission, and if the committee shall think best to do so. to memorialize Congress on behalf of this Association."

The committee, of which Mr. Parker is a member, has been appointed, and the judicious and zealous w(uls: it is doing will have an excellent effect in stinudating the interest of Congress in the movement of such importance to the peoi)le all over the United States, who must feel a natural ])ride in. the carrying out of the far-sighted views of the Father of His Country in the right adornment of our National ("apital. Prior to the action at St. Louis. Mr. Parker, at the in.stance of friends who realized his influence, had written a powerful and earnest letter on the subject to the Hon. J. G. ('aiiiKin, speaker of the U. S. House of Representatives, urging his influence in behalf of the good woT'k of the eminent Commission. When that work has been done as it doubtless will be sooner or later, and the capital of the nation has been adorned in a manner such as to cause just lu'ide to the people generally, aiuI to awaken the admiration of visitors frinu the idd world, it will be no little satisfaction to the ]ieople of Quincy to realize the pal't played in that movement by one of its own citizens, who has so distinguished himself by his work for the beautification of his own city. It is too (d'tcn the case that cities, as well as republics, ar'> unurateful foi- such exhibitions of public spirit, at least while recognition could lie ]>erceived by the living, and both as a matter of justice as well as sound public policy, it has been the determination in this resume of the valuable work done by Air. Parker for the public, to see that some nu>asure of recognition should be accoi'ded for benefits which will be acclaii 1 in the future.

The Debt Is Being Paid

QUINCY'S BONDED INDEBTEDNESS - HISTORY OF BONDS FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS. FOR PUBLIC SERVICE, SPECIAL LOANS, SCRIP AND RAILROADS - THE PLAN UNDER WHICH THE DEBT IS BEING PAID.

The history of the bonded indebtedness of the city of Quincy is in many respects interesting and in.struetive although some of its phases are far from being creditable to the city. In it we behold the city in its process of development incurring a heavy indebtedness for the grading of its streets and other necessary public improvements, and that the city when it became impossible to sell its bonds to advantage, had recom-se to city scrip which soon depreciated in value and made it necessary for the city to pay an unreasonably high price for what it obtained. We see a city ambitious and enterprising involve itself in great financial obligations for the purpose of giving aid to new railroads which gave it connection with the outside woi'ld. This is followed by a period of reaction which was probably a necessary consequence of the preceding "boom." In this period people seemed to lose faith in the city and to despair of its ever being able to pay the heavy debts that had been ineuiTed. Gradually the city emerges from the depression which weighed on the public mind and courageously takes hold of the debt and provides for its gradual extinction. A plan is adopted and is consistently followed under which, with the greatest ease, that, which but a few years before seemed impossible of accomplishment, is achieved and the debt is paid off without any increase whatever in taxation. From this history we will obtain many illuminating side lights which will enable us to form an opinion of the character of the people composing the population of the city and of the processes and influences controlling the public mind during the various periods of the city's existence. No one thing probably, has had so great an influence at 'times in developing and at other times in retarding, the progress of the city as have had the facts which are connected with the history of this bonded debt. The vai-ious issues of bonds emitted by the city follows:

The city bonds, known as public improvement bonds, were issued for the purpose of paying for street improvements and for other city purposes, in sundry amounts and at various dates, beginning July 81, 1841, and ending July 10. 1866. It seems to have been the practice of the city during those years to issue bonds in i)ayment of such claims as it could not meet with ready cash. These bonds were issued directly to the persons who held the claims and for the exact amount of the claims. Their date of maturity varied according to the contract made in each case. Quite freiiuently they were made to become due within one year from the time issued, although some of them were made to mature as long as ten years after their date. The extent to which these bonds were made to take the place of cash payments due which the city had not the money to meet, is well illustrated by an order found in the council proceedings of January 6, 1845. From that order it appears that there was due -$300 from the city to nine persons in all in vai'ying amounts, the smallest being +15 and it Avas oi'dered that city bonds be issued to each person for the respective amount due him, the smallest bond accordingly beinu' f(U' ^15. The total amount of bonds of this character issued during the years mentioned was $412,300. There seems to have been some Cjuestion as to the legality of the bonds and to remove all doubt the city charter of the year 1857 in Sec. 1 of (Chapter 6, expressly provided that the bonds theretofore issued by the city whether for special loans or contracts on public work, should be declared to be legal and binding in law. That chapter also provided for a sinking fund to meet the bonds as they matured and gave authority for issuing further bonds for special loans or for contracts on public works.

Special Loan Bonds

These bonds were i.ssued under the act of Feb. 16, 1857, which authorized the city "to issue bonds to an amount not exceeding at one time in the aggregate the sum of $75,000." The proceeds of the sale of these bonds were applied to miscellaneous city expenses, and for meeting over-due city indebtedness. From the records we find that on July 1. 1849, before the pa.ssage of the act referred to. $20,000 ten year 6 per cent bonds were issued for the purpose of paying city debts then outstanding and due. At the meeting of the city council of May 1, 1849, the question concerning the power to issue bonds for this jiurpose was considered and the committee to which it was referred repoi'ted that in their opinion the city had such power but added "this is so delicate a matter and one that would pei'haps produce complaint, that we would not resort to it if any other mode can be devised of paying the city debt." Evidently no other mode could be de\ised. for at the same meeting the issue was autliorizetl. Whatever question existed as to the legality of this issue of $'20,000 of July 1, 1849, was removed bj- the provisions of See. 1 of Chapter 6, of the City Charter of 1857, whieh exi)ressly validated the bonds theretofore issued by the city for special loans.

On Feb. 11, 1857, a special meeting- of the city council eonsidei-ed the advisability of procuring a special loan for the purpose of meeting existing liabilities. As we have seen, on Feb. 16, 1857, the city had been authorized to issue bonds not exceeding at one time the sum of $75,000. On March 2, 1857, under the authority of this act, the city council authorized the issue of city bonds in the sum of $75,- 000, drawing eight per cent interest and becoming due in twenty years. These bonds were issued ]\Iay 15, 1857. The city evidently had some trouble in floating these bonds for we find that at the May 11th, 1857, meeting of the city council the bonds were authorized to be pledged to Charles A. Savage as security for a temporary loan of .$50,000 and ]\Ir. Savage was also appointed .special agent of the city for the sale of the bonds. By an ordinance adopted Dee. 7, 1857, an additional issue of $20,000 of special loan bonds was authorized. This issue was dated Dee. 1, 1857, and made to mature in twenty years and drew eight per cent interest. As will be seen the total amount of the special loan bonds issued was $115,000 and they seem to have been used principally for paying oft' existing floating and over-due bonded debts of the city. Tender the act authorizing the issue of these bonds the interest rate was expressly limited to 8 per cent. That the city found difficulty in floating these bonds is proven bv the facts appearing in the case of the City of Quiucy vs. Warfield. 25 111., 317. From that case it appears that the city on Aug. 28, 1858, had issued its bond drawing 12 per cent interest in renewal of an over-due bond held by Patrick Shanahan. The city council had authorized the finance committee to issue bonds in renewal of such city bonds as were due upon such terms as the committee might deem for the best interest of the city. The best terms obtainable evidently were to concede 12 per cent interest on the new bonds. The courts decided that the bonds were valid notwithstanding- the excessive interest rate, but that to the extent to which the interest rate exceeded 8 per cent as authorized by the law. it could not be enforced.

Public Service Bonds

These bonds were authoi'ized to be issued by an ordinance adopted Sept. 19, 1864, which expressly made them a good tender in payment of taxes due the city. The proceeds of the sale thereof were directed to be kept as a special fund "'for the following purposes and none other, that is to say, any person actually drafted into the military service of the United States, in virtue of any draft under the authority of the United States and required to serve as such di-afted person who shall then be a resident of the City of Quincy, .shall be entitled to receive of said city a fund of $500 to be paid by said city to any substitute for such drafted person duly accepted in his place, and in cas'> of the insufficiency of such fund, shall be entitled to receive the bonds aforesaid in lieu thereof sufficient in amount to make up said $500 ; and in case any such drafted person shall himself enter s\ieh military service said sum of said bonds in lieu thereof, shall be paid to him or by his consent shall be held and applied for the uses of his family during his service and applied accordingly." Of these bonds there were issued in all $64,600. They all bore date Sept. 30, 1864, and were made to mature in five years and drew eight per cent interest.

New Biprovejiext Bonds

These bonds aggregated $16,000. Of this sum. $12,000 was paid for the purchase of river lots fnnn Harris and Beebee. They were dated Oct. 1. 1869, matured in five years and drew eight i>ei- cent interest. The remaining bonds were paid out on account of the survey of the Quincy & Carthage railroad and the survey of the Quincy & Alton railroad and for the purchase of an engine house. The bonds which were i.s.sued for the purchase of river lots seem also to have been known as levee bonds. At any rate we find frequent menticni of levee bonds in the council proceedings, but find no bonds under that description in the city's records.

Northern Cross R. R. Bonds

On Feb. 13, 1851, a petition was presented to the city council asking that the necessary .steps be taken to procure the vote of the people on the question of subscribing $100,000 to the capital stock of the Northern Cross railroad owning that portion of that road which lies between the Mississippi and the Illinois rivers, and the election was by an order of the council directed to be held on March 1, 1851. The vote at this election resulted in 1,074 for subscription and nineteen votes against subscription. Accordingly on the 12th of that month the city council authorized the mayor to subscribe $100,000 to the capital stock of the Northern Cross railroad company and t(i pay for the subsi'i-iiitimi by executing' Miid delivering to the conipany twenty-year six per cent city bonds for that amount. Eighty thousand doHars of these bonds Avere issued bearing date Jan. 1, 1852, and the remaining ^20,000 were issued bearing date July 1. 1852. By resolution of the city coiuK'il of June 21). 1853, an election was oi'den-d to be held on the 3()th day of the following month to vote on the question of subscribing an additional $100,- 000 to the capital stock of that company. This election resulted in 1,1;I2 votes in favor of the additioiud snl)sci'ii>tion ;ind four votes against the same. The lionds issued hereunder were also twenty-year six yiov cent lionds and were dated Jan. 1, 1854. Tlie first issue of the bonds was validated by an act approved Jan. 26, 1853. .iltbongli Ihere seems to have been express authority for the subscription in the act of Nov. (i. 1S4!I. which authorized cities in this stati' to subscribe foi- stock in any railroad company in any sum not exceeding -iilOO.OOd. The second issue of bonds was made luuler the act of Jan. -26, 1853. which was evidently passed in anticipation of the contemplated action of the city. Apparently without any legislative authority therefor, the city council on May 2(t, b^56, ordered that an election he held foi- Hie purpose of determining whether the ci1\- should make a further subscription of $2(1(1,00(1 to the capital stock of the Northei-n Cross j'ailroad company, to be paid for in 8 per cent city bunds maturing in 20 years and to be used for the constructi(ui of the railroad from Camp I'oint to the Illinois rivei'. The election was held on May 24, 1856, and again resulted in an overwhelming vote in favor of the subscription. The vote was 1,541 for and seventy-one against the subscription. On the fourth day of the following- August an ordinance was adopted authorizing the" issue of this $200,000 of bonds which tlu^ ordinance provided should be delivered "ujion receiving $200,000 ,,f tlie stock of the Great Western railroad company or the company or companies with which the Creat Western may be consolidated." As staled this subscripticni was made without b^gal authority existing for the incurring of the debt. This authority was given in an act iip])roved .l.-innary 31, 1857, which is entitled "An act to Incorporate the Quincy & Toledo railroad company: to legalize the suliscription of the City of Quincy and the county of Brown to the ca])ital stock of the Northern Cross railroad com]iany. and the bonds issued and to be issui'd by said city and county in payment feu- said stock': to amend the charter of the (ireat Western railroad company of the State of Illinois, and legalize and confirm the conti'act of said company with

James W. Singleton." Section 4 of that act provides as folio'\\s: "That the act of John Wood, mayor of tlic City of Quincy, dated the 6th day of August, 1856, whereby the said Jolin Wood on behalf of the said city subsi-ribed tt) the cajjital stock of the Northern Cross i-iiilroad company pui'snant to an ordinance of the city ccuuicil of said city, dated the 4th day of August, 1856, authorizing, empowering and directing the said .John Wood, Mayor as aforesaid, to subscribe $200,000 to the capital stocj.; (iF said Northern Cross railroad conqiany, together with the acts, doings and agreements of the city council of said City of Quincy, be and tlu^ same are hereby legalized, ratified ami confirmed. And all bonds of said city issued or to be issued in i)ayment of said sukscription of $200,000 shall iii all res])ects be and are hereby made a debt of said City of Quincy due to the holder or holders of such bonds. Provided that said bonds .shall be ;nul remain in the hands of Isaac O. Woodruff of said city imtil said road is graded, from ('ami) Point, in the county of Adams, to Mt. Sterling, in Brown countv. Thereupon the said Isaac 0. Woodruff shall deliver $100,000 of said bonds and retain the remainder thereof in his hands until said iviad is uraded to the Illinois ia\'(M': provided tliat nothing in this act shall lie so construed as to prevent the city council of said city from authorizing an earlier delivery of said bonds, if. in their judgment, the interest of the city reipiires it: and the said city council are hereliy authorized and emjKiwcred to le\y and collect a special tax for the payment of the interest on said bonds." Following the adoption of this act ^[ay 6, 1857, an ordinance was adopted authorizing the delivery of the .$200,000 of boiuls issued liy file city to aid in the consfi'ucfion of the Northern Cross railroad, \\'liich the ordinance states was then <'alled the Quincy (.<: Toledo railroad. The snbscrii)tion \\as to be used for the construction of a road fi-oni <'am|i Point to the Illinois river and the lionds wci-c to be delivered upon receipt of .$200,000 (,f the capital .stock of the Toledo, Wabash & Westei'n Railroad Company in lieu of the stock of the (ireat Western Railroad Company mentioned in the ordinance of August 4, 1856. From these records it appears that although the first $200,000 was voted for the construction of the railroad between the .Alississipjii and the Illinois rivers, they evidently were exhausted before the road had been constructed any further than Camp Point. This iioi'fion of the old Noi'thern Cross railroad was absorbed by the C, B. & Q. railroad and now foi-ms the portion of its tracks running from (i»uini'y to Camii Point. The second $200.-

000 of subsoi'iption as shown was expressly given for the iiurpose of aiding in the construction of the road from Camp Point to the Illinois river. Evidently the Northern Cross during the period embraced in the transactions which we have shown entered into this subscription was in a process of disintegration, for in the ordinance of August 4, 1856, the bonds were directed to be delivered upon receiving stock of the Great AVestern Kailroad Company or the company or companies with which the Creat Western might be consolidated. The act of January 81. 1857. incorporated the Quincy & Toledo Railroad Company, which absorbed this portion of the Northern Cross, and by May 6, 1857, had assumed the name of the Toledo. Wabash & Western Railroad Company, and it is now known as the Wabash railroad. This second .>f;20().000 of bonds have been commonly called Quincy & Toledo R. R. bonds in contradistinction to the tirst .^200.000 which have always been kuoMni as Northern Cross lionds. The last issue of !t;200.0n0 was dated January 1. 1857. and was made to draw 8 per i-ent interest and to mature in 20 years.

By the act of Januar,y 30, 1857, the city of Quincy was given authority to subscribe for the capital stock of the Quincy (Jc Palmyi'a Railroad Company organized under the laws of the state of ilissouri. for the iiui'iiose of building a railroad from a point on the west bank of the ilissis.sippi river opposite the city of Quincy, extending to the city of Palmyra in the state of ]Missouri. in any sum not exceeding .1*100,000. The act provided for the submission of the question as to such subscription to the people of the city at an election to be held for that purpose and authorized the issue of bonds to pay for the subscription and the collection of a special tax for the payment of the interest on the bonds. On ilarch 21, 1857, an election was called for April 4th foUoAving for the purpose of a vote on the cjuestion of subscribing .$100,000 to the capital stock of the company to be paid for in 20-year 8 per cent bonds of the city of Quincy. The election resulted in 942 votes being cast in favor of the subscription and eleven votes against the subscription. On the 15th day of the following month the ordinance authorizing the issuing and delivering of these bonds was adopted. The bonds were dated July 1. 1S57. and made to mature in 20 years.

Mississippi & Missouri River Air Line R. R. Bonds

27th day of the same month to vote on the question of subscribing ,$100,000 to aid in the construction of a railroad from West Quincy northwesterly, connecting Quincy with the ^Missouri Air Line railroad. At this election 651 votes were cast for the subscription and 198 votes against the subscription. On the preceding 6th day of April a committee from a citizens' meeting appeared before the city council and presented a resolution in favor of this action which had been adopted at a citizens' meeting, and on Jiine 1st following a connnittee of citizens from Canton and La Grange appeared before the council for the purpose of urging the city to make the proposed subscription. The ordinance authorizing the issuing of the bonds was adopted Aug. 7, 1868. By its terms it directed the mayor to subscribe .$100,000 to the capital st(,ck of the Mississippi & Jlissouri River Air Line railroad to be paid for in 30-year 6 per cent bonds of the city. It was made a condition of the subscription that there should be expended $50. 001) in gr-iding. bridging and tieing the road, commencing at West Quincy to a distance not exceeding twenty-tive miles and that the l)onds be issued to aid in constructing a railroad from West Quincy noi-thwesterly connecting Quincy with the M. & M. Air Line R. R. These boTids were evidently not issued immediately, for on Feb. 15. 1869, we find that Mr. Davis, the president of the road, appeared befoi'e the city council and requested that the bonds be prepared for the amount of subscription, and that on the 27th day of the following month he again appeared before the council and reported the progress that had been made in the work and again asked that the bonds be issiied. At this time a resolution was adopted dii-ecting the mayor to have the bonds prepared and that they be held by him to be delivei'ed to the road on its complying with the conditions of the subscription. These conditions had not been complied with, and on Oct. 4. 1869, Mr. Bland, the vice-president of the road, made a statement to the city council in reference to the |)rogress of the work and asked that at least a portion of the bonds be issued to enable them to complete the road from Canton to Quincy during the winter, and promised that if this were done, the road would be completed to Canton by the first of the following January. A special committee of the city council, who had examined into the matter, reported at this meeting that owing to the almost unprecedented high water during the entire season the work of grading the road from Quincy to Canton had been unavoidably retarded, but that, nevertheless, about one-half of the work had been done. A resolution was adopted authorizinji' an issue of $25,000 of the bonds, when in the opinion of the special committee it would be for the best interest of the city. These bonds were delivered during the winter. A resolution was adopted ]\Iay 18, 1870, authorizing the delivery of an additional .$.S7,500 of the bonds. The remaining $87.r)00 of the subscription was paid in bonds that were delivered under a resolution of the city council adopted Aug. It). 1870. being more than two years after the adojjtion of the ordinance authorizing the issuing of the bonds. At the meeting of the city council of Dec. 5, 1870, an agreement was read, signed by the officers of the road, pledging the com])any, in consideration of the subscription, to make Quincy the southern terminus of the road during the existence of its charter. All of these bonds were 30-year 6 per cent bonds and bore date July 1, 1870. The Mississippi & Missouri River Air Ijine railroad was never built and consequently the money subscribed liy Quincy foi- that road was a total loss.

Quincy, Missouri & Pacific R. R.

The Quincy, Missouri & l^icitic Railroad company was organized on the 24th day of June. 1869, for the purjiose of constructing a railroad from a point on the Mississi|i|ii River opposite Quincy to a point on the ^Missouri River o|)po.sitc Brownsville, Nebraska, the length of the pro|)ose(l I'oad being about 230 miles. The citizens of Quincy manifested a deep interest in the success of the enterprise. They were large stockholders in the comiiany. and when it was organized a majority of its directors and officers were residents of Quincy. To an exceptional extent the whole enterprise was a Quincy enterprise. This fact largely accounts for the generous treatment that the road received from the city. The first mention we find in the records of the city of the proposed new road is found in the council proceedings of June 21, 186l(, which was three days before the road itself was organized. At that meeting a resolution was unanimouisly adopted, reciting that in the opinion of the city council the proposed railroad running from West Quincy nm-thwesterly to the Missouri Rivei', known as the (Quincy, ilissouri & Nebraska or the Quincy, ^Missoiu'i Pacific railroad, was essential to the future prosperity of the city. In the resolution an issue of $250.- 000 of city bonds as a .subscription to the proposed railroad was approved, and the mayor and clerk were authorized to issue $75,000 of the same when that amount should be required for that purpose. On July 12, 1869, Messrs. O.

A. Savage, John Wood, Tlunnas Jasper, C. H. Bull. (!e()i-ge Adams and (J. S. King, a committee api)ointed by the board of directors of the I'oad. appeared bef(n-e the city council and asked it to submit a proposition to the voters of Quincy to subscribe $500,000 to the .stock of the company and to petition the legislature to legalize such i.ssue. A resolution granting the recpiest was adopted and the calling of the election was post]3oned to a future meeting. The election was called at the meeting of the city council held July 17, 186!). It provided that the subscription "of .$.500,()0() to the stock of the company should be made suliject to the following conditions: Payment of the subscription was to be made in city bonds, due in twenty years, drawing 6 per cent interest. When the company (Jjtained along the line of the road in Mi.ssouri or Nebraska valid, responsible subscriptions to the capital stock of the company to the amount of $800,000, then the city council should issue $250,000 of the l)onds at jiar in payment of an e(iual amount of the city's subscription. When the conqiany shoukl have ol)tained along the line of its road valid, responsible subscriptions to its stock to the amount of $1,600,000, then the city to issue to the company the remaining .$250,000 of the hdiKJs in payment of the balance of the subscription. The resolution further provided that tile city undei'took to ap])Iy to the next session of the legislature for legislation legalizing the subscription. The special election on the question was held August 7, 1869, and the residt was 1,9-19 votes for and 185 votes against the proposed bond issue. As will ap- |ieai' fr(un the foregoing, there was at that time no law in force authorizing the city to become a stockholder in the company or authorizing a vote of the people on the question. Issue of the bonds was therefore deferred until |)roper legislation could be had ujion the siibjci't. In the meantime, however, before such legislation could be had. the constitutional convention, which formulated the state constitution of 1S70, convened in December of 1869. It adopted a section in the neAV constitution forl)id(ling any city to become a subscriber to the ca[iital stoi'k of any railroad or private corporation, or to make donations to 01' loan its credit in aid of such corpoi'ation. The i)romoters of the Q.. M. & P. R. R.. however, were on the alert and closely watched the proceedings of the convention. Through strong influences brought to bear from the city of Quincy. which were both official and private in character, the convention was induced to adojit Section 24 of the schedule of the constitution, which was in these words: "Nothing contained in this constitution shall be so construed as to dei)rive the general assembly of power to authorize the city of Quiuey to create any indel)tedness for raih'oad or municipal purposes for whieli tlie people of said city have voted, and to wliich they shall have u-iven. bv such vote, their assent, prior to the 13th day of December, A. D. 1869 : Provided, that no such indebtedness, so created, .shall in any part thereof be paid by the .state or from any state revenue, tax or fund ; but the same shall be paid, if at all, by the said city of (^uincy alone, and by taxes to be levied upon the taxable property thereof: And provided further, that the general assembly shall have no power in the premises that it could not exercise under the present con.stitution of the state." On January 6. 1871, a resolution was adopted by the city council recjuesting- the general assembly to authorize the subscription made and the is.sue of the bonds in payment of the .same, and a special committee, eonssisting of the mayor and two aldermen, was appointed to go to Springfield to urge the adoption of an act to that effect. As a result, the act of July 1, 1871, was passed by the legislature, authorizing the suliscription to be made and the bonds to be issued. A sworn communication was presented to the city council on July 17, 1871, from Charles A. Savage, president of the Q., ^r. & P. R. R., showing that the company had obtained valid, responsible subscriptions to the capital stock of the company in the states of ^Missouri and Nebraska along the line of the road amounting to .$1.118, 900. being $318,900 more than the sum requisite for the company to obtain $250,000 in the bonds of the city according to the provisions of the original subscription. The communication furthei showed that thii'ty miles of the road extending from West Quiney westward had been graded and bridged at that time. At this meeting of the city council a resolution was passed that authorized the mayor to subscribe $.500,000 to the stock of the company and to issue -t'i.iO.OOO in city bonds in part payment, as a condition entitling the company to that amount had been complied with. These bonds were accordinulv issued and dated Julv 1. 1871.

A considerable interval intervened before the second .^'J.IO.OOO of bonds were delivered to the company. The construction of the work of Iniilding the road progressed very slowly, and as the citizens began to fully realize the heavy burden which they had already assumed, public sentiment for the time being was against delivering any further bonds on the subscription. It was contended that the company had not complied with the conditions that would entitle them to the receipt of the remaining bonds, and the legality of the whole contract was quite generally assailed. One ground of objection that was constantly urged was that the company had not obtained along the line of its road in ^lissoiu'i and Nebraska valid, responsible subscriptions to the amount of $1,600,000 which, as we have seen, had been expressly made a condition precedent to the delivery of the remaining (^uincy bonds. Isaac N. Morris, who was at that time a prominent resident and property owner of the city, obtained an injunction in the circuit court of Adams county restraining the mayor and aldermen of the city from issuing this second $250,000 of bonds. In the council proceedings of May 15, 1876. we find a resolution which recites the preceding steps that had been taken in the matter and referred to the injunction obtained by Isaac N. Morris, and stated that an effort was beingmade to have the injunction dissolved, and to compel the delivery of the remaining bonds claimed under the subscription and that the subscription was believed to have been illegal. By the resolution a committee consisting of the mayor and three aldermen was appointed to protect the rights of the city. On behalf of the company at the council meeting of June 2, 1876, C. H. Bull and Henry Root, directors of the company addressed the city council and requested that the bonds be issued. The committee which had been appointed, reported on Jiily 3, 1876. that they had employed counsel in the pending suit that had been brcnight by Isaac N. Jlorris to resist on behalf of the city the dissolution of the injunction to take pi'oceedings to annul the bonds already issued and recommended that nothing be done by the city till the matter could be determined by the supreme court of the state. The company apjK'aled the suit which had been brought by Mr. Morris, and the supreme court rendered its deci.sion in the matter at the January term (1877) of that court, in the case of Q.' M. & P. R. R. Co. vs. Morris. 8-t 111.. -tlO. From the opinion in that case it appears that the reasons urged against the issue of the bonds were based on the contention that the constitution of 1870 and the enabling act of July 1, 1871, did not authorize these subscriptions and that the indebtedness was not one incurred for a corporate purpose, since the railroad was wholly in another .state. The supreme court held both of these objections not tenable and reversed the decree of the lower court and directed that the injunction l)e dissolved. No particular point seems to have been made on the question as to whether the condition requiring the company to obtain valid, responsible subscriptions in the states of iMissdiU'i ami Xel)i'aska to the amount of $1,600,000 had been complied with. :Mr. King, the secretary of the company, appeared before the city council July 2, 1877, and read a certifietl copy of a re.solntion adopted by the board of tlireetors instructing the president to submit to the city ccmncil a statement of the subscriptions that the company had obtained and to call upon the city for the payineut of the $250,000 remaining due on the subscription, and to deliver to the city in exchange the stock in that sum. The city council appointed a. connnittee consisting of the mayor, three aldermen and thi'cc pi'ivate citizens, none to be interested in \hv construction of the railroad, which was to incpiire into and report the full amount of such subscriptions. The committee appointeil consisted of Aldermen Smith, Deaderick and 11. Fischer and Messrs. John Dick, Daniel Harris and Timothy* Rogi'i-s. This comiiiittec made an elaborate rc|ioi-t to the city coum-il -July W. 1S77, in which they gave a full statement of all the subscriptions which the company had received in ^Missouri. Th<'sc suliscriptious on their face amounted to ;i considerably larger sum than ^I.IJOO.OOO. The rcfiort 'showed, however, that bonds had up to 1h<it time been obtained on the sanu' for only the amount of $286,000, aiul that grave doubt existed as to the legality of all of these Missouri subscriptions which made it imcertain whether they could ever be collected. Decisions of the supreme court of the United States were recited under wliieli mH of these subscriptions woubl l)e invalid. The committee stated, however, that the company claimed that under a decision of the supreme court if Missouri, which was not given in the rep(u-t, the subscriptions would be valid. From the whole re])ort it is perfectl.v clear that the conunittee felt that the conditions entitling the eompan.\- to the renuiining issue of the eity Ixmds as a matter of right had not been complied with. Still the report recommended that the additional l)onds be delivered to the company, saying in justitication of the recommendation that "the spirit and intent of the said contract is the completion of the road." Up to this time, as appears from the council proceedings, there had been a tlecided sentinu'iit in the city council against the delivery of tbe bonds. A change in the public feeling, \\-liicli was retiected in the council, now look |ilaee. A very large amount of Quiiicy capital bad been engaged in the undertalving, and the failui-e of the project meant financial ruin to many of the city"s enter|)rising and progressive citizens. These men, to some extent at least, had been led to invest their moni>v in the road and to be active in promoting its construction by motives of local patriotism. There can be no question but that this fact was controllinu' in inducing the city to waive all legal objeelions and to act on the reconunendation oF tin' committee according to the spirit and intent of the contract, and not according to its legal effects. As a conse- (luence a resolution was presented to the city council August 1, 1877, which authorized the delivery of the additional $250,000 of bonds ui)on new conditions specified in the resolution. These were that $75,000 was to be delivered to grade, bridge and tie the first fifteen miles of the road west of Kirksville, and when this had been done, $50,000 was to be delivered for the purpose of grading, bridging and tieing the next fifteen miles west, and on completion thereof $50,000 to grade, etc., the next fifteen miles west, and on completion thereof, $50,00(1 to grade, etc.. the next fifteen miles west, and on completion thereof, $25,000 to grade, etc., the next eight miles west, being .sixty-eight miles in all. The company and its officers were re(piired to give bond that the money woukl be used for the purposes specified. Tbe consideration of the resolution was postponed to the meeting of the city council of August S, 1877. at which time the resolution was adopted. Many amendments were offered and a strong fight was made against the adoption, l)ut the final vote was practically unanimous. Ten aldermen voted for the resolntiini. and only one against it. These bonds were delivered to the compaux' .-is it complied with the conditions. $75.(100 in the year 1877. $125,000 in the year 1878, and $50,000 in the year 1S7II. Thci'e exists a general impression that the ilelivery of these b(uuls was rushed through in one night for fear that legal action would be taken to prevent their delivery. The records, however, as we have seen. slu)W that the greatest deliberation was exercised and that the last of the bonds were not delivered until three years after the adoption of the Hnal resolution of the city council in the matter. The Quiucy. ^Missouri & Pacific railroad is now called the Quincy, Omaha. Kansas City & Eastei'u and is commonh- known as the --(). K."

These bonds vvere issueil foi' the puri)ose of paying off' over-due indebtedness of the city, consisting to a great extent of city scrip. For many years tbe city had indnlucd in the practice of issuing in iiaymcnt I'oi- public work done interest-bearing city scrip. As the means for meeting these floating obligations were rarelv at hand when thev matured, they invariably were talieu at a diseount. This discount was figured on when eontractors bid for city work, and as a consequence the city paid a much larger price in scrip than it would have been obliged to paj' in cash. In a report of the mayor found in the council proceedings of January 18, 1869, he states that he had taken up under a resolution which had been adopted in the previous month ^23,080 of city scrip, and had issued $26,000 in bonds therefor. In this rep(u-t he said: "Knowing the disadvantages under which we labor on account of the depreciated value of our city scrip, it was the intention to have taken up all our floating indebtedness with a view to bringing the market value of future issues up to par, or as nearly i)ar as possible, and thus save the city from thirty to forty per cent on most of our appropriations, but a decline in the value of bonds led me to forego that intention." This i'ei)()rt also shows that the city was living at that tinu' beyond its income, and that the plans then in hand contemplated public improvements which would make it neee.s.sary to issue large additional amounts of city scrip and that these facts had a tendency to further depreciate its value. The city seems not to have kept au accurate record of this fioating indebtedness, and old citizens tell of the practice which existed under which the mayor signed in blank warrants of this character and left them in the various city offices to be filled in when they were used in paj'uient of work done for or for material furnished to the city. The finance committee, which made an attempt to investigate the amoiuit of this outstanding scrip, reported on April .5. 1869, that on accoiuit of the condition of the city records it was practically impossible to determine accurately the amount outstanding, but that from a thorough examination they arrived at the conclusion that there was then outstanding $66,842 of this scrip, ilr. H. Swimmer, who was for many years an alderman of the city, .states that he bought some $30,000 of this scrip for Mr. II. F. .1. Ricker at thirty-three cents on the dollar. As the eontractors who did city work knew that they woi;ld be paid in depreciated cvirrency of this character, they naturally in their bids made allowance fin- this fact and bid correspondingly high. So much of this scrip as was not paid out of current receipts was from time to time taken up by the issue of bonds. Between the years 1870 and 1873. $140,500 of debt-funding bonds were issued.