The Republican journal., 1886-02-11
Turn the Rascals Out"

The men who have had control of the city
government for the past four years are deter
mined to retain that control, if they can. OBJ
tanning the offices in the first place under false
pretences, and by methods before unknown in
this community, they have utterly failed to re-
deem the pledges made to their supporters
have increased taxation instead of decreasing
it, and are now endeavoring to carry out a
policy that will lay still heavier burdens on
real estate, Cypress local enterprise and deal Il
blow to the business interests of Belfast from
which they will not recover for Years. if ever
They promised to refund the city debt, but al
that has been done in this direction wa,
through the banks and bank officers they ha,
denounced in umnrasured terms on the stunl
and in the columns of their paper.
1t is an open secret that two or three men;
ring, to use the common phrase--haye for tn,
past four years managed the affairs of the city
and presumably not without profit to them
selves. They have oyer-ridden OF cajoled then
associates and carried matters with Il hi9l
hand. Il don't care a damn for the public
one of them remarked not long since, and thai
is the spirit in which the business of the city
has been conducted. Ii Is not for the intere~
of these men to have taxes reduced, AID nC
one has ever accused item Of failing to lOoI
out for number one. Ne detailed statement OF
the city expenditures is given to the public
The lump sums stated in the trcasurer's repor
simply conceal what taxpayers ought TO know
and have the right to know. Are men employ
ed upon city work paid one sum ana larger
one drawn from the city treasury: Are they
compelled to take '.>tore pay and restricted tC
4 Single store: Are they forced 10 work GU
| private debts: Is labor imported from adjoin
ing towns while there are plenty of men il
Belfast who would be glad of the opportumit,
to do an honest days work for an honest day,
pay: These are a few Of the questions heard
upon the streets, but the only answer is an in.
crcl>ing tax rate and the transfer of persona
property to places better governed where low
er taxes prevail.
The voters Of Belfast should think twice be
fore they p"rpctustc this condition of affairs
The question at issue is simply whether til,
greed and petty auino>itc> Of few individuals
Shall triumph over the common welfare \
large sum j. coming to the city for d publ,
library. and there ought to he 10 taint OF Job
berry in connection with selecting the site an,
erecting The building. This il an mporan
matter, the library i to he permanent in,
stituiion. and care should be taken thai thc Worl
is entrusted to good hands. TO men i'll whom til,
public have confidence, and not 10 thu men VII,
/ ..l,I't l. f.. II,
The direct injury done to the cit, in dollar,
and cents may he easily calculated. There il
the defeat of refumdin@. by which several thou
sand dollars of interest would have been saved
the increase of taxation: the driving away o
those who intended making Belfast their sum
mer home but We're deferred, after ndim.
property to >mit them. by the high tax rate; tn,
payment of $500 per year more for collectin.
the taxes than the work could bc done for; an,
the giving of employment that properly belong
| cd to our own people to outsiders But pcrhap
the greatest injury of all i, that resulting from
melting anta@oni>m~ and ill-fceng> anon.
our citizens, and from rc>or; to clcrlunecriu.
methods worthy Of the Chicago communists ol
the orators Of the san Francisco sand lots Th
! is too small place for such talk and prcjudces
Weare all intcriepcndent andmu>t pun togcthel
if we wish our city to advance in prosperity 81
e. en- to keep it from rctrograding For th
reason, if no other, the public good demand
that there should be a change in the city gov
ernmcnt. Four wears i, long enou@h-indecd
it is too long-tor two or three men to make
foot balI Of the city finances, and TO oppres,
and libel all those who pay taxes.