Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-03-25

hADICAL REDUCTION IN ClTY In
rENsEs.-While the Ne,cs and Gazette have
been quarreling about abstract matters in
which the people, just now, take no interest,
we have been following up the present city
Fathers and compelling them to do their
duty. The city is at least $4,000 better
off to-day than it would have been if the
DEMOCRAT had pursued course like that OF
the Gazette or NeUa We have constantly
been on the alert for the altful dodges of
certain INSCRIPTIONS members of the City
Council, holding their acts up to public no.
tice and consequently to public condemna
tion. With the valuable assistance and
backing of our friend, cold Injunction" we
have kept that delectablc body in leading
strings for the past ten months. The pub
lie know what We have done in this direc-
ton, without being reminded of it.
In our issue Of the 18th, We gave the
public notice that We should demand Of all
parties that the expenses Of the city gov
ernm mt be curtailed by abolition Of the sal
aries attached to the offices Of Mayor and
Aldermen. aud o large reduction Of the sal
aries affixed to the other offices. Here is
what We said;
We are in favor Of large reduction in
the salaries of Clerk, Marshal and Treasurer,
and shall insist upon the entire and unqual-
flied repeal Of all ordinances giving salaries
to the Mayor and Aldermen. We shall de-
mand pledge from every candi date for
Alderman, and from the candidate for May
or. that they will not receive from the city
dollar for their services as such officers
There can be honest and able men found
who ,ciA serve without pay. and we give
candidates Of all parties to understand that
they will not receive our support unless
they stand upon this platform.
To this the Gazette replied in q long
winded. meaningless, and strictly non com
initial editorial Of about three quarters of
"a column, attacking the DEMOCRAT, raking
up our articles Of two and three years ago.
but carefully saying nothing of the present
This was in keeping with the general char
acter Of that journal. It was either wa
ding about two or three years behind the
times, or toadying to some wildcat style of
banking.
The Ne'cs made faint reply that it
should, ct all events, lend its humble sup
port to the Democratic ticket. 1t was in
keeping with the general tone of that or
gan. 1t never seems to have the slightest
idea that public journals are looked upon to
introduce, lead off upon, or carry out im-
portant reformatory measures The idea
never once suggested itself to the editors Of
that paper, that . public journal should
"taks the responsibility" but, like Uriah
Heep. they humbly" follow where 9TH
ere lead.
While We are . democratic journal and
nothing else, and have probably been
through about as many hard fought battles
as our neighbors. we are not willing to give
up our independence to any body. In local
matters. where the only question is as to
the saving or wasting IS 900. We claim the
right to advise, and, If need be, dictate,
and do not accept simply permission to
follop.
1t is we'll that the Council has made this
move. although the result Ia the same-for
the republican party would have been
forced into it by the action Of the Demo.
cratic City Convention. We have always
had the countsnance and support Of all the
free thinking, free speaking. and indepen.
dent people in Davenport. and We hope al
ways to merit it. We do not desire to ar.
rogsts too much 70 ourselves, but We hope
that the taxpayers Of Davenport will not
target that the DxAocaAs has advocated 70.
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