St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-05-06
THE LAST CALL.

THE LAST CALL.
The campaign work is done. But the
more important work of rendering a
verdict on the issues that have been
presented will be done to-day. The
field has been travelled over so thor
oughly, and both candidates and issues
discussed so fully, we feel that it would
be taxing the patience of our readers
to attempt an elaborate review of the
situation. Yet, viewing it from our
standpoint, to-day's election is fraught
with such serious consequences to the
public we deem it our duty to give
brief summary of the reasons why the
Democratic ticket should be elected.
We are honest and earnest in the as
sertien that the public interests can
best be subserved by re-electing Mayor
SMITH, Comptroller ROCHE and Treas
urer REFS, and by electing the full alder
manic and judicial tickets placed in the
field by the Democrats.
The fact that Mayor SMITH has been
tried and that he has come up to the
full standard of administrative capacity
is argument enough in his favor. But,
in addition to that, he is opposed by a
gentleman who is totally without ex-
perience. and whose campaign methods
are not suggestive of either pure or
capable administration.
Mr.. ROCHE has been so long identified
with the administration of municipal
finances thot it would be superfuouS to
remind the voters of the value of his
services in the comptroller's Office. Not
a dollar has ever goue wrong during the
quarter Of century that JOHN. ROCHE
has been the city's chief financier, and
it is safe to say that not dollar will
ever be diverted in an illegitimate di-
rection if Mr.. ROCHE should continue
in office for twenty-five years more. 1t
is enough to say of his opponent that he
is machine politician, who has never
been identified with st. Paul inter-
eSts except to have a temporary
residence here during his term of office
hol ding.
Mr.. REFS has made an honest and
capable official, and during the success
sive terms in the treasurer's Office has
made faithful accounting for every
penny of the many millions of dollars
that have passed through his hands.
His competitor is probably clever gem
tleman, and good citizen, butts wholly
unfamiliar with public affairs, and at
the time of his nomination his name
had never been heard of by nine-tenths
of the voters.
1t must occur to every thoughtful
voter that it would be folly to turn out
experienced and trustworthy officials
from the most responsible Offices in the
city government and to fill their places
with untried men, and in some in
tances, with men whose regulations are
such as not to commend them to public
confidence.
But aside from personal considera-
tons, there are reasons why Democratic
ascedency should be maintained in st.
Paul. Chief among these reasons is
that it will give confidence in st. Pau
securities among Eastern capitalists.
There is not city bond now outstand-
ing, or debenture Of any sort, but was
issued by Democratic authority, and
every one of them bears the signature
of JOHN ROCHE.
The fame Of ST. Paul's good munich
pal government has gone abroad, and
thus it is capitalists who are seeking in
vestments are attracted here by the
feeling of security which good govern
ment always creates.
Under these circumstances 1t would
be the height of folly to make a change
in municipal administration-jus at a
time, too. when most of all we are in
terested in having capital come TO us.
And then there are equally strong
reasons of local bearing why Demo
cratic supremacy should be perpetuated.
Every citizen is interested in the pres
ervation of law ana order. We have
admittedly the best police regulation of
any city in the country. A change of
administration could not better us in
this respect, while it might be Infinitely
worse. Our fire department and water
works system conld not be improved.
So, with nothing to gain and everything
to lose by change. why should the
voters be tempted into voting anything
else than the straight Democratic ticket.
We think the situation has been made
clear enough to impress the thoughtful
aud conservative classes with the duty
of voting the Democratic ticket to-day.
The thing now to do is to get out to the
polls and vote.
FOLLOW HONEST CONVICTION
/. Vote your conscience.
If you want to cast vote to-day that