The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1883-11-24

the courage to vote in favor of rescind-
ing the action of the Council upon q
contract admitted by this distinguished
lawyer to be in violation Of law. Can
there be more than one theory for such
cOntTactP The City Solicitor in his ef-
fort and privileged duty to demonstrate
to the Council the illegal phases of the
act, is taken to task by his legal breth-
rem, sitting as members of the Council,
and told in substance that the statute
according him the right to discuss the
legal aspects of any matter arising in
the Councils deliberations, does not ap-
ply and must not be cOuntenanced by
this eminent body of local legislators;
and the only apparent objection, the
possibility that the wool might be pull
ed from OFF the doubling COunGilman'S 8
eyes. The peculiar exhibition was pre-
sented some weeks ago, of contractor
on the city building job and commits
siOner of the county, only lately resi-
dent in Canton, making herculean ef-
forts to elect to the City Council the Re-
publican candidates (whO were also
elected) to fill the vacancies existing in
the 4th and 9th wards. We are told, too,
that certain alleged Democrats, occupy
ing positions of public trust, lent such
aid toward securing that result as they
dared, and might not jeOpardiZe their
future political aspirations with the
party, for whose success they claim to
labor, and in whose service they seem to
have prOspered. What the Commissioners
had in view seems to have developed at
the first meeting of the Council, in
which the newly elected members par
ticipated. A local contract for supply
ing the city's coal was awarded, and the
Commissioners took the prize, even
though a majority of the committee
having the matter to investigate, re-
ported in favor of another bidder. What
the contractor had in view, and his OBJ
ject, can only be likened to the proceed
ings in the 9TH ward at the late spring
election, when the same interest was
manifested by the same contractor for
evidently the same purpose, only in the
9Th ward, his chosen deVOtee was an al
legged Democrat, while at the special
election in the 4th and 9th wards he
seems to have tied to the Republican
candidates as being the proper essen
tials. 1t is said, too, that the 7th ward
election referred to drew the lucre from
somebody's purse or purses to the tune
of $500; but it was said, also, 1--WE must
have him, even though he comes high"
Why this mustP
What the alleged Democrat had to ex-
pect is political problem that may or
may uOG D6 SOlV6u. BuG Ln6 question
arises in every sound Democrats mind,
why should a Democrat desire and COM
pass the defeat of such sterling candi-
dates as were presented by the party to
the voters at the special election held
in the 4th and 9th wards.
Mr.. Editor | have tTespassed upon your
valuable space to a greater length than
had expected, but in an effort to ava
ken the people of Canton, irrespective of
party, to the necessities of the hour; to
demonstrate to them the probability
that exists in the midst of us upon plum
der ring" and the natural attribute
thereof, "bOss" or pair of "bOsses." If
l have failed in my purpose let future
developments, If things continue in
their present channel, bear me out in
the theory. If l have succeeded in arOu-
sing the dormant taxpayer from his
lethargy, and provoking the threaten
ing glare of his Watchful eye, that, in
connection with liberal public criti-
cism. will go far toward checking fur
ther extraVagances and ring" schemes,
L shall then be dOubly paid for the time
spent upon this production, and you for
the space allotted it, in the interest and
furtherance of good old Democratic
principle. honesty and economy. Thank
ing you for your courtesy.
FIRST REVELATION.
Canton, o., Nov. Is, 1888.