The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1882-03-09
cArEcHrsn FOR CANDIDATES.
A Few Questions Which n Correspondent
Thinks should be Asked Gcntlemen
Aspiriuy to Office,

To tho Editor of the Herald
What the city of Dallas has achieved is
attributable to her geographical and com
mercial advantages, the enterprise and IN
yestment Of capital, and the industry and
energy Of her citizens, despite the en-
feeblcd. imbecilG, tickle, impracticable alder
men. Who have incubated hundred
schemes. aimed at the vitality and life OF
our city, all of which were enacted in the in
terests OF some ringer set ofindNiduals, and
not for the public veal. Turn to the "mar-
ket-house schemen--what a gigantic fraud
now admitted by all and denied by none,
done by viltue of an ordinance passed by
the city council. Does any one attach hail
so much blame TO those interested in the
enterprise as to the council who were be-
tray,d into the pitiall? Turn again to
the greater scheme of the Dallas q
Wichita. ilioad,n and you. will find
that it was fastened upon the peo-
pie by an ordinance of the city.
So wiiha score of others, to say nothing OF
the bundled and one jobs which have
tailed. There is little use to refer 70 these
ouliages against the rights OF the people
because they have been consummated
aready-the enormous debts created by
these schemes must be PAID, were it not
that 'shipwrecks are the best pilots, and
being placed upon our guard we become
more vigilant aud less liable to have similar
impositions practiced upon us. Then q
reference to these matters serves as q PIE
ventive, ifnot remedy.
Can O recurrence OF these nefarious con-
spiracies be prevented? | answer, most
certainly. aud nine-tenths Of the confusion
created by. bad legislation, ignorance
OF time and money saved by
the city, and her good name
redeemed. How can so great good be ac-
compiished? Why, recognize no candidate
for Office, especially for mayor or alderman,
rs worthy Of countenance support or dis
custom unless he unbosoms himself, with
out hesitation, upon all the issues before
the people, or likely to be raised during the
term OF Office to which he aspires. Let him
define his position readily and willingly
and who but moral and political coward.
could or would desire to sneak into Office by
coneealing a single sentiment upon any
issue affecting the interests of the people?
Now, men who run for office in the inter
est of some ring or clique of schemors, can
not afford to show their hands. because
of course they would be defeated if exposed,
so they resort to various eXpedients to
conceal from the people the real object they
desire to accomplish if elected,
and battle them by avoiding
the real issues before the people,
II man Is elected without an ISSUE then
he is open to treason, strategems and spoils,
whether market-house swindles, or Dallas
u Wichita swindles," or frauds in other di.
rections, and ifdishonest, and for sale, all
he has to do is to always be upon the fence,
upon every issue and for sale TO the Highest
bidder. We have long had such characters
in Office in our city. He can act the deacon,
gamble, lie, accept presents, commit all
kinds Of inconsistencies, and when called
upon TO explain, answers you, IL made no
pledge to the people, so | will do as
please
There are several subterfuges to which
this kind of parasite upon the body polite,
resorts to secure his election, by evasion and
lodging, | will give you an example or
two for illustration; "Mr. Candidate, how
will you stand upon the
extension of the corporate limits of
the city, His gentle voice, euphoniously
aspiraies, Il will treat it upon business
principles am business man,
you know "Mr. Candidate. how do you
stand on the street pavement question ?"
why, sir, If elected, ! will treat this sub
ject on business principles and to the
best ofmy ability. ! am business man,
you know"
"Mr. Candidate, how do YOU stand on the
proposition of building school.houscs, as
submitted by the city council p
Answer, Why, Mr.. Voter, you must be
quite dull and obtuse; | have told you
nfA hot In urt 10 tI.A -
the corporate limits and the pavement
question: and ! tell you now, will treat
this question on business principles to
the best of my ability, the best interests
OF the city, and conscientiously.
Mr., Candidate, ! must admit that the
extension of the corporate limits of the city
Is new question; the pavement question
Is new and important question, and the
building OF school-houses is also of n like
nature, but here is question would like
TO know how you stand and how you will
vote II elected, aud that is,
sir, are you in favor of the . and
O'Clock sunday law, or the twenty-iouI
hour Sunday law This question has been
discussed so long and often, that all bust.
ness men have made up their minds in
fact, sir, the boys and girls of the city have
taken sides on this question. Now how |.
~, SIR My answer is MS before: "Mr
Voter will treat this subject on bushes,
principles, to the best of my ability, tc
the best interests of the city and consci
cautiously" mr. Candidate, those answer.
are wholly unsatisfactory TO me, SIR "Mr
Voter, what do you want me to iniorn
your
81 will tell yoa. In the first place Mr.
Candidate, Dallas is great geographical
and railroad center. 1t is the center OF cap
itll, O. commerce of raHnement :,