The general public did not know.

It could not find out.

The newspapers were not at all vigilant, being pro-political.

There were no persistent, enthusiastic reformers who obtained any political credence.

During the war, warrants outstanding in this manner arose in amount to much over two million dollars, all drawing six per cent.
interest, but then, of course, it began to get a little scandalous.
Besides, at least some of the investors began to want their money back.
In order, therefore, to clear up this outstanding indebtedness and make everything shipshape again, it was decided that the city must issue a loan, say for two million dollars--no need to be exact about the amount.
And this loan must take the shape of interest-bearing certificates of a par value of one hundred dollars, redeemable in six, twelve, or eighteen months, as the case may be.