The Labor enquirer., 1883-04-07

city had been thought to be Inadequate,
but 1t was declared in the Trades assem-
bly,, and is probably a fact, that the
police force of the city is large enough if
policemen are of the right stamp and are
only detailed for the duty for which
they are appointed, The present city
administration, however, seems to have
little or no regard for this matter, and
under the present order of affairs neither
workingmen nor the public generally
have the slightest grounds to hope FOR
any Improvement.
For two months or more during the
winter the street crossings were almost
impossible for women and children, on
account of the snow, and yet there were
ten thousand or more idle men in the
city who would have been glad to find
work on the streets at anything like fair
wages. To-day mud and filth abound
throughout the city, and comparatively
nothing is done to remove them.
1t may be said that the city has not
the money necessary for this work. If
so, why not? The eminent gentlemen
who conduct the legal business of the
city were in Springfield recently to OBJ
tam authority from the legislature to in
crease the rate of taxation, 50 as to raise
money. The Progressive Age has pub
| lshed the statements of \. c. Heising,
which are undoubtedly true. to the effect
that,the gas companies Of the city and
steam railroad companies and tie men
of great wealth in the city are only as
ses6ed an insignificant sum on the real
value of their property, and thus escape
paying anything like the taxes that they
should pay. But the present city ad-
ministraton, instead Of proceeding to
make the great corporations and the great
property owners pay taxes upon reas-
enable valuation Of their property, en-
deavOrS rather to increase the rate Of
taxation, thus putting an additional
! burden upon active capital, and having
the direct effect of reducing wages and
increasing rents and the cost of living.
Why howl against the extortions Of
corporations and monopoIes while there
is not the slightest disposition manifested
on the part Of the city to protect the
rights, interests, and general welfare Of
the masses of the people and compel the
corporations and great property owners
to bear their just share Of the public
burdens?
Workingmen have vital interests at
stake in these matters; their moral,
social, physical, and financial welfare is
involved; but what will it profit them to
constantly harp upon the present abuses
and wrongs of municipal government if
they fail to apply the necessary remedy
and bring about radical change when
the opportunity is afforded them? In a
word, why complain of being Sand-bagged
and robbed, and yet continue a crafty
politician in authority under whose ad-
ministration the sand-baggpr and the
robber fear none of the terrors Of the
law?
But will a change Of administration
bring about the reforms demanded? The
chances are all in favor of such being the
case, while to continue the present adj
miniStration completely and absolutely
shuts out all hope for any improvement.
The independent reform movement,
which has been inaugurated in the inter
est of good government, representing all
classes ard in which leading Workmen
have actively participated, is pledged, if
successful, to rescue. the people Of this
city from their present p6riIs, \ ticket
/ has been presented which fully meets
the rigid requirements of the situation.
| The candidate for Mayor, Judge Cary, is
/ known to possess, in all respects, the
sterling qualities essential for carrying
out the reform measures which the well
fare of all the people Of Chicago, and that
Of workingmen especially, imperatively
demands. His nomination has awakened
popular enthusiasm, and his election may
be secured The issues are fairly made
up. and the question to be settled is,
whether the worst elements of the city
shall rule or he ruled; whether crime
and immortality, which have become a
burning disgrace to the city, shall con
tinue to run riot or shall be vigorously
dealt with. and the public welfare andI