The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-10-31
MIR. MCDONALD
Speaks and Tells the Citizens of Austin His
Platform.
AUSTIN, Tex, October 20, 1889.

|
MAN of this morning asking that the
candidates for mayor and aldermen
shall disclose their views upon the
different measures and questions of
public policy now being discussed,
seems to me entirely proper. l be-
lieve that you are right in saying that
no citizen should "solicit the support
of his fellow citizens simply because he
is ambitious to fill Office" Neither
should he seek Office to serve himself
or his friends. The citizens have the
right to know the views of each can
didate upon the questions of the day.
To the end that they may be informed
so far as I am concerned l will try to
state as briefly as possible the line OF
policy and the measures which l have
advocated as a private citizen, and
which, if elected mayor, l shall con-
tinue to advocate, and upon this dec
laration of principles alone will l ask
the support of my fellow citizens.
The proposition to build dam
across the Colorado river for water
power is one in which l take a deep
interest. With me it is not new or
born Of the present canvass, but one
which | have had under consideration
for at least twelve years, and to which
l have given q great deal of careful
study and thought. 1t seems to me
that it is the all important thing for
the city of Austin at the present time.
1t may be true that we have a good
water and light company, and that
this company is rendering good service
and as cheaply as it can afford. But
there is no good reason why the city
should continue paying and allowing
its citizens to pay the present water
and light rates because they are as
cheap as can be furnished by steam
power, when it has at hand ready
means by which better service can
be furnished for less money.
By issuing bonds for an amount
moderate in comparison with the ben
eft to be derived therefrom, the city
can raise the money to enable it to
build dam across the Colorado river,
sixty feet high, creating at least four
thousand horse power. This would
enable the city to provide water and
light for all public uses and to supply
its citizens with water and light at
one-fourth the price they now pay,
and by leasing the residue of power
not required by the city for public
purposes to manufacturing enterprise
the city can derive arevenue sufficient
to pay the interest and sinking fund
on all bonds issued, and can greatly
increase the amount of surplus rev.
enues to be used in improving the
streets. constructing sewers and beau
tifying parks. An improvement OF
this kind would be lasting and its
benefits would not only be realized by
those now living, but it would con-
tinue to their remote posterity.
believe in being just to the water
company, and believe in being just
to ourselves. We do not in our pri-
vate business affairs make great sac
rifces for the benefit of the invest
ments of others. Public affairs should
be managed much in the same man
ner as private affairs. Let us do those
things which will build up city and
bring to our people lasting prosperi-
ty. Let us first create q necessity
and demand for paved streets and an
extensive sewer system, and we will
then find the means with which to
provide these things.
am in favor of having good streets,
but am not in favor of issuing any
large amount of bonds for this pur-
pose. believe that the current reve-
nues of the city are sufficient, if
economically and judiciously expended,
to keep the streets in good repair,
especially if the work done was more
permanent in character and the money
expended on those streets where
improvement is needed, and all work
done should be permanent in charac-
ter.
The drainage of the streets should
receive careful attention and should be
such that the falling water would be
carried away and not allowed to wash
out the Improvements. Our streets,
if graveled and rolled with a ten-ton
roller and properly drained, would
stand like paved streets under our
present light traffic.
1 believe in extending our city sew
erage, but this can be done from time
to time as our current revenues will
admit. The growth of the city is not
likely to demand more rapid extern
sion than can be made within the cur
rent revenues.
L have always been friend to the
public free schools, and would favor
the issuing of bonds in a reasonable
amount to provide needed school
buildings. l do not regard the tenn
porary capitol as suitable building
for high school. We should have
high school building, also one or two
in east Austin, and one for the colored
school. Yours respectfully,
JOHN MCDONALD.