New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-26
COLONEL BAIRD'S LETTER.
HE ACCEPTS THE NOMINATION FOR MAYOR
OF BROOKLYN
A BusrNrssLIKE ADMINISTRATION PROMISED
ABUSES THAT NEED NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
STREETS AND PARKS.

STREETS AMI thhhS'
Colonel Andrew d. Baird sent the following ie''or
yesterday TO the Committee of the Brooklyn hepuocan
CITY Convention. which was appointed TO inform him
OF his nomination for Mayor on the night IL was
made and who were unable TO inform him before the
convention adjourned: - -.
Joshua NJ. Van COtt Committee Of the Republican
CITY Convention:
Nv pear Sirs-I appreciate highly the honor Of my
unanimous nomination by the convention you represent ana
All the more Of assurance that the convention
ihlv expressed the desire not only OF It's direct con-
uents but also Of many OF the people Of city
While reluctant you know, 10 enter upon any pohcai
contest / accept cordial and general nomination as
FALL to public duty. This do in fun consciousness that
my the city must be by acts rather than oy
words
Let plainly say you and to the people Of our city
that my purpose. elected shall be TO give TO Brooklyn ah
honest independent and businesske administration OF us
EVERYDAY affairs the equal protection OF the personal
ana property interests ALL To that purpose shall DO
devoted I'm all sincerity, whatever powers possess ana
whatever practical wisdom have come from my eN'
perence as a and member OF the Com
mon Council. This experience has brought me IN cloe
contact with the grow progress Of Brooklyn III mas
taught plain and direct way good deal concerning
the city and ins needs II has think quaheo me 70
deal with those needs simply and economically sndii
slcoe and seek advice but shall with entire personal
freedom and independence the best interests OF the pubic
may seem TO require and considering only that interest
There are some Things regarding which the public may
expression rom me III tllS ioVVV ~
s a matter Of common knowledge that large public I'M
movements relating principally to street paving. sewers
school and the water supply are projected ior e
next years. These improvements already authoHei
nvolye the borrowing expenditure by the officers OF
the CITY OF over SO The incoming Mayor cannot
serve the public interest in any better way than IN ms
practical dealing with the matter OF these improvements
This service win largely have do with contracts and
contractors for and Materials with the fsr a"Hru
Of the contract in the place and then to the honest
performance OF the connection with this let me
say that laws providing for competitive biaAng Ior
public work, which, when impar'iaIy administered PO-
tect the public become, when partially or dishohesty
administered mere instruments Of public fraud our
city IS even burdened with obligations lhcurfcu
many years ago fraudulent and unnecessary cohuaos
for so-caed Improvements. II we are 10 pofro" anu "
expend millions OF dollars during the next two years we
to the taxpayers who ere to pay the interest anu
principal OF the debt they have return for theP
money in honest worth OF material ana LABOR aoueu 10
the citys value.
The tax rate Of this year throughout the city, as
am credtaby informed, is to be considerably larger
than the rate year Notwithstanding an increase
Of assessed valuations on which such rate IS oaseu
and notwithstanding the improvements made during 'ho
pysent administration have been provided Tor by po
rowing on the bonds OF the Gty To the reduction OF
taxation by economy and plain dealing in the AFFAIRS Oh
the city L stand pledged. With tho yearly increasing
value Of taxable property believe the burden OF taxa
ton can be sensibly reduced by the aIpH0d'oh y"
culinary business economy
The salaries paid public employees are generally hlgh'
Their numbers have become much out OF proper
ton 10 the work to be done. Our public Offices thhough
nerod Of about oDeouarter Of year closed at
10 or O'clock the great personal inconvenience Vi
nphlie men These employees have become almost
nr,,,ered class This has just subject OF COM
plant and should be remedied
appreciate the needs Of Brooklyn Tor more general
school accommodation better paved street, Tor ane-
Quate police and fire protection Tor suneehV preu uN
,u,pra winter spply for system Of public DOCKS
for better communication by bridge or tunnel LOT such
svsteu Of sewerage will relieve the low lying discts
~ our city md thoroughly drain the new wards without
co,vettina our creeks and basins into plague spots for
improvements in the great market Of Brooklyn at inc
Walabout an institution Of growing value and importance
t the whole city establishment OF high school
tp hs accommodation OF Eastern District and for the
making Of small parks in various parts oil our city as
breathing places for the people
Under the law and according to direct ana ousnesAke
nebods It Will be my duty and purpose II elected TO ae-
sotS myself TO satisfying these needs
With great respect, am yours truly
ANDREW D. BAIRD.
Brooklyn, Oct. o5, 1889.