USA > Illinois > Adams County > Quincy > Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois > Part 37
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The Parkway containing about nine acres, connecting Indian Mounds with South Park,
was purchased with $3,000 given to the Asso- ciation by Mr. Lorenzo Bull.
On April 16th, 1900, on the second petition of a large number of taxpayers, the City Coun- cil adopted a resolution placing under the care of the Quincy Boulevard and Park Association, Washington Square, situated in the center of the city. and Franklin Square, a few blocks south. Mr. R. W. Gardner donated $500 for the improvement of the fountain in Washing- ton Square.
The total park acreage in Quincy, the title to which is in the city or the Association, not including the two last named publie squares. is 151 acres. The value of the city parks and squares has been officially estimated at $215.000.
The annual revenue of the Association con- sists of $10.000 from the two mill tax. about $1,000 from the Town of Quiney, and about $1.300 from dog license fees. Since its incor- poration in 1888, the Association has received from these sources, including membership fees up to the present time $61,987.27.
Considering the short time the parks have been under the care of the Association, and the limited revenue, the progress made in de- veloping the plans of the landscape gardeners, the construction of permanent bridges, roads and walks, and planting of hundreds of thou- sands of trees and shrubbery, has been re- markahle.
Edward J. Parker is president of the Asso- ciation, Edwin A. Clarke, treasurer, and F. W. Munroe, secretary, the latter succeeding lomer D. Dines, who succeeded P. L. Diekhut. Mr. Diekhut was secretary for many years and rendered services of much vahie.
In point of wholesome perpetual enjoyment to the people of Quincy, in the affording of beautiful places for healthful rest and reerea- tion. by adding to ground values and in the stimulation of private 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 for 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 Mr. Edward J. Parker. From the very ineeption of the work, Mr. Parker has been its official head and its leading spirit. Through 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- portant phases of his service has been his care in selecting landscape gardeners. Mr. H. W. S. Cleveland, of Minneapolis, was employed
182
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.
until he was superannuated, since which time Mr. O. 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 fine publie spirit have been the leading factors in this great park work, whose in- calenlable benefits will be enjoyed by the peo- ple of Quiney, and add to it prestige for all time.
It might be inferred that one possessing the strong interest of Mr. Parker for park and out-door 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 national character in this direction. His address. delivered at Boston, Mass .. August, 1902, as retiring president of the American Park and Outdoor Art Association, possessed exceptional value, both for its historieal inter- est and for its numerous and important sug- gestions and recommendations. Of the his- torieal features of the address, one of the most important and extremely interesting was a resume of the remarkable interest and pro- found foresight and sagacity, considering the period, shown by our first president. George Washington, in relation to the beautification of the National Capital. President Washing- ton and Major L'Enfant formulated 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 inter- esting result in St. Louis, Mo., June 11, 1904. during the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. At the annual meetings, held then, by the Ameri- can 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 unanimous vote :
"Whereas. The beauty and grandeur of the National Capital are matters of National im- portance, of deep interest to every citizen of the Union ; and
"Whereas. They are absolutely dependent upon the arrangement and form which may be given to the increase which must take place in the governmental structures and grounds and other public works at Washington, as in- evitably as the Nation grows in numbers, wealth and civilization : and
the foundation of the city under the direction of our first president, George Washington; and "Whereas, An extension and adaptation of that original project. devised with skill and painstaking care to meet the changes of a century of growth, is now recommended as the best guide for future improvement, by a very able commission appointed at the instance of the American Institute of Architects by the I'nited States Senate, and consisting of
"Daniel 11. Burnham, Architect of Chicago.
"Charles F. MeKim, Architect of New York. "Frederick Law Olmsted. Landscape Archi- teet of Brookline, Mass.
"Augustus Saint Gandens, Sculptor of Windsor, Vt.
"THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED. That the President of the American Civie Associa- tion be instructed to appoint a standing com- mittee of five persons, to assist in promoting the project set forth in the report of the said commission, and if the committee shall think best to do so, to memorialize Congress on be- half of this AAssociation."
The committee, of which Mr. Parker is a member. has been appointed, and the judicions and zealons work it is doing will have an ex- cellent effeet in stimulating the interest of Congress in the movement of such importance to the people all over the United States, who must feel a natural pride in the carrying out of the far-sighted views of the Father of Ilis Country in the right adornment of our National Capital. Prior to the action at St. Louis, Mr. Parker, at the instance of friends who realized his influence, had written a powerful and earnest letter on the subject to the Hon. J. G. Cannon, speaker of the IT. S. House of Repre- sentatives, urging his influence in behalf of the good work 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 pride to the people generally, and to awaken the admiration of visitors from the old world, it will be no little satisfaction to the people of Quiney to realize the part played in that movement by one of its own citizens. who has so distinguished himself by his work for the beantification of his own city. ft is too often the case that cities, as well as re- publies, are ungrateful for such exhibitions of publie spirit, at least while recognition could be perceived by the living, and both as a mat- ter of justice as well as sound public policy, it has been the determination in this resume of the valuable work done by Mr. Parker for the publie, to see that some measure of reeog- nition should be accorded for benefits which
"Whereas. A broad and noble project for the guidance of that increase was framed at will be acclaimed in the future.
183
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXXVIL.
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 Quiney is in many respects inter- esting and instructive although some of its phases are far from being creditable to the city. In it we behokl the city in its process of development incurring a heavy indebtedness for the grading of its streets and other neces- sary publie improvements, and that the city when it became impossible to sell its bonds to advantage, had recourse to city serip which soon depreciated in valne and made it neces- sary 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 workl. This is followed by a period of reaction which was probably a necessary consequence of the pre- ceding "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 incurred. Gradually the city emerges from the depression which weighed on the pub- lie 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 impos- sible of accomplishment. is achieved and the debt is paid off without any increase what- ever 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 con- trolling 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 various issues of bonds emitted by the city follows :
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BONDS.
The city bonds, known as public improve- ment 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 31. 1841, and ending July 10. 1866. It seems to have been the practice of the city during those years to
issue bonds in payment of such claims as it eonkdl not meet with ready cash. These bonds were issued directly to the persons who hell the claims and for the exact amount of the claims. Their date of maturity varied accord- ing to the contract made in each case. Quite frequently they were made to become dne within one year from the time issned. 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 Jannary 6, 1845. From that order it appears that there was Ine $300 from the city to nine persons in all in varying amounts. the small- est being $15 and it was ordered that city bonds be issued to each person for the respee- tive amount dne him, the smallest bond accord- ingly being for $15. The total amount of bonds of this character issned during the years mentioned was $412,300. There seems to have been some question 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, ex- pressly provided that the bonds theretofore issued by the city whether for special loans or contracts on publie 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 anthority for issuing further bonds for special loans or for contracts on public works.
SPECIAL LOAN BONDS.
These bonds were issued 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 miscellaneons city expenses, and for meeting over-due city indebtedness. From the records we find that on July 1. 1849, before the passage of the act referred to. $20,000 ten year 6 per cent bonds were issned for the purpose of paying city debts then ontstanding and dne. At the meeting of the city council of May 1, 1849. the question concerning the power to issne bonds for this purpose was considered and the committee to which it was referred reported that in their opinion the city had such power but added "this is so delicate a matter and one that would perhaps prodnee 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 devised. for at the same meeting the issue was
May 1, 1898, Total Bonded Indebtedness, $1,285,400; Less Bond Sinking Fund Tax of 1897, in course of Collections available, $51,000, July 1, 1898-Leaving Indebtedness July 1, 1898, $1,234,400
WHEN DUE AND AMOUNT
INT. RATE
ANNUAL INTEREST
TAX YEAR
BOND SINKING FUND
BOND INTEREST FUND
TOTAL TAX
1898
$ 2,250 )
( May 1898 Appropriation to be Made by Council
1898
7 35,000
7 50,245
July 1, 1899
$ 35,000
6%
56,245 )
( State Auditor to Extend
1899
50,000
1 6,000
104,145
Jan. 1, 1900 )
62,500
6%
May 1899 Appropriation to be Made by Council
1900
15,000 37,500
48,145
102,895
July 1, 1900 )
37,500
6%
54,145
2 May 1900 Appropriation to be Made by Council
1901
50,000
48,145
98,145
1902
50,000
46,375
96,375
July 1, 1901
35,400
48,145
1903
50,000
46,375
96,375
July 1, 1903
46,375
1904
50,000
46,375
96,375
# 1,1904
46,375
1905
50,000
46.375
96,375
# 1, 1905
46,375
1906
60,000
39,625
99,625
1, 1906
150,000
412""
46,375
1907
60,000
39,625
99,625
1, 1907
39,625
4.
1908
70,000
31,345
101,345
1,1908
184,000
412%
39,625
1909
70,000
29,745
99,745
=
1,1909
40,000
4%
31,345
1910
71,000
24,570
95,570
# 1,1910
115,000
412%
29,745
1911
70,000
21,480
91,480
1911
21,000
4°%
1
50,000
412 0
21,480
1913
70,000
15,380
85,380
1,1913
50 000
412%
18,430
1914
70,000
12,330
82,330
1,1914
1
20,000
+
41/2%
12,330
1916
74,000
6,230
80,230
1917
79,400
3,200
82,600
1,1917
7
60,000
17
# 1,1918
80,000
4%
3,200
TOTALS,
$1,234,400
$645,670
$1,234,400
8645,670
81,880,070
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.
1915
70,000
9,280
79,280
1,1915
20,000
4%
50,000
412%
1,1916
20,000
4%
9,280
:
14,000
4 1/2%
6,230
=
1912
70,000
18,430
88,430
1,1912
20.000
4º%
20.000
4%
1
50,000
41/2 0
15,380
50,000
50,000
412%
24,570
=
Sept. 1, 1902
48,145
State Auditor to Extend
( $12,500
( § 6,000
8103,745
48,145
, State Auditor to Extend
( State Auditor to Extend
2,250
184
185
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.
authorized. Whatever question existed as to the legality of this issue of $20,000 of July 1, 1849, was removed by the provisions of See. 1 of Chapter 6, of the City Charter of 1857, which expressly validated the bonds thereto- fore issued by the city for special loans.
On Feb. 11. 1857, a special meeting of the city council considered the advisability of pro- curing a special loan for the purpose of meet- ing 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 author- ized the issue of city bonds in the sum of $75 .- 000. drawing eight per cent interest and be- coming due in twenty years. These bonds were issued May 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 Mr. Savage was also appointed special agent of the city for the sale of the bonds. By an ordinance adopted Dec. 7, 1857, an additional issue of $20,000 of special loan bonds was authorized. This issue was dated Dec. 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 off existing floating and over-due bonded debts of the city. Under the act an- thorizing 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 by the facts appearing in the case of the City of Quiney vs. Warfield, 25 Ill., 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 authorized to be issued by an ordinance adopted Sept. 19, 1864, which expressly made them a good tender in pay-
ment of taxes dne 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 drafted 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 case of the insufficiency of such fund, shall be entitled to receive the bonds afore- said in lieu thereof sufficient in amount to make up said $500; and in case any such drafted person shall himself enter such military serv- ice said sum of said bonds in lien thereof, shall be paid to him or by his consent shall be held and applied for the nses 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 IMPROVEMENT BONDS.
These bonds aggregated $16.000. Of this sum. $12,000 was paid for the purchase of river lots from Harris and Beebee. They were dated Oct. 1. 1869, matured in five years and drew eight per cent interest. The remaining bonds were paid out on account of the survey of the Quiney & Carthage railroad and the survey of the Quincy & Alton railroad and for the purchase of an engine house. The bonds which were issued for the purchase of river lots seem also to have been known as levee bonds. At any rate we find frequent mention of levee bonds in the couneil proceed- ings, 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 peo- ple on the question of subscribing $100,000 to the capital stock of the Northern Cross rail- road 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
186
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.
to pay for the subscription by executing and delivering to the company twenty-year six per cent city bonds for that amount. Eighty, thousand dollars of these bonds were issued bearing date Ian. 1. 1852, and the remaining $20,000 were issued bearing date July 1, 1852. By resolution of the city council of June 29, 1853. an election was ordered to be held on the 30th day of the following month to vote on the question of subscribing an additional $100,- 000 to the capital stock of that company. This elertion resulted in 1,132 votes in favor of the additional subscription and four votes against. the same. The bonds issued herennder were also twenty-year six per cent bonds and were dated JJan. 1. 1854. The first issue of the bonds was validated by an act approved Jan. 26. 1853, although there seems to have been express authority for the subscription in the art of Nov. 6. 1849, which authorized cities in this state to subscribe for stock in any rail- road company in any sin not exceeding $100,000. The second issue of bonds was made under the act of Jan. . 26, 1853, which was evidently passed in anticipation of the con- templated action of the city. Apparently
without any legislative authority therefor, the city council on May 20, 1856, ordered that an election he hekl for the purpose of determin- ing whether the city should make a further subscription of $200,000 to the capital stock of the Northern Cross railroad company, to be paid for in & per cent city bonds maturing in 20 years and to be used for the construction of the railroad from Camp Point to the Illinois river. 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 sub- seription. On the fourth day of the following August an ordinance was adopted authorizing the issue of this $200,000 of bonds which the ordinance provided should be delivered "upon receiving $200.000 of the stock of the Great Western railroad company or the company or companies with which the Great Western may be consolidated." As stated this subscription was made withont legal authority existing for the inenrring of the debt. This authority was given in an aet approved January 31, 1857. which is entitled "An act to Incorporate the Quiney & Toledo railroad company : to legalize the subscription of the City of Quincy and the rounty of Brown to the capital stock of the Northern Cross railroad company, and the bonds issued and to be issued by said city and county in payment for said stock; to amend the charter of the Great Western railroad company of the State of flinois, and legalize and confirm the contract of said company with
James W. Singleton." Section 4 of that aet provides as follows: "That the art of John Wood, mayor of the City of Quiney, dated the 6th day of August, 1856, whereby the said John Wood on behalf of the said city sub- seribed to the capital stock of the Northern ('ross railroad company pursuant to an ordi- nance of the city council of said eity, dated the 4th day of August, 1856, authorizing, em- powering and directing the said John Wood. Mayor as aforesaid, to subscribe $200,000 to the capital stock of said Northern Cross railroad company, together with the acts, doings and agreements of the city council of said City of Qniney, be and the same are hereby legal- ized, ratified and confirmed. And all bonds of said city issued or to be issued in payment of said subscription of $200,000 shall in all re- spects 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 and remain in the hands of Isaac O. Woodruff of said city until said road is graded, from Camp Point, in the county of Adams, to Mt. Sterling. in Brown county. Thereupon the said Isaac O. Woodruff shall deliver $100,000 of said bonds and retain the remainder thereof in his hands until said road is graded to the Illinois river ; provided that nothing in this act shall be so construed as to prevent the city commeil of said city from authorizing an earlier delivery of said bonds, if, in their judgment. the interest of the city requires it : and the said city council are hereby authorized and em- powered to levy and collect a special tax for the payment of the interest on said bonds." Following the adoption of this aet May 6, 1857. an ordinance was adopted authorizing the delivery of the $200,000 of bonds issued by the city to aid in the construction of the Northern Cross railroad, which the ordinance states was then called the Quiney & Toledo railroad. The subscription was to be used for the construction of a road from Camp Point to the Illinois river and the bonds were to be delivered upon receipt of $200,000 of the capital stock of the Toledo, Wabash & Western Railroad Company in lien of the stock of the Great 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 Mississippi and the Illinois rivers, they evi- dently were exhausted before the road had been constructed any further than Camp Point. This portion of the old Northern Cross railroad was absorbed by the C .. B. & Q. railroad and now forms the portion of its tracks running from Quiney to Camp Point. The second $200,-
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