The record-union., 1892-03-04
THE REASONS WHY.

THE REASONS WHY.
The RECoRD-UNIoN in exercising it's
right to choose from among candidates
presenting for the City Trusteeship has
given its reasons why it selects, regard
less Of political ends and the schemes of
politicians. It has pointed out that it be-
heves Mr.. Mclaughlin should be elected,
not because of views he may have of tariff
questions, of foreign policy, of domestic
economies of the Nation, of fiscal sys-
TENS or of the relations of the States to
each other, but because he has become an
expert as Street Commissioner, and the
city ought, in its own interest, to profit
by his experience.
He has made good Street Commits
sioner. Under his administration we
have had phenomenal era of street i'm
provement; he has pursued course that
has resulted in street construction in ex-
cess of any other period in our history.
He has not only not INSTRUCTED, but has
pushed street work. In doing so he has
run counter to pet ideas, prejudices, old
fogyism and fancies, and he may have
thereby grievously offended some very
good citizens. But the question is, has
the city under his street administration
gained or lost?
He has had that sturdy purpose and
hxity of resolution that is termed back
bone, and which has enabled the people
to know at all times just where he stands.
He did valiant battle for city interests in
the matter of street railway projection,
and in his term we have had more street
railway building and enterprise and bet
ter distribution of the roads than the
most sanguine ever looked forward to.
BE has cleared the walkways of OBJ
structions, where all others failed. He
did not dilly-dally with trials and writs
aud suits, but with purpose, firmness and
official force performed his duty. He
has reduced the cost of electric street
lighting one-fourth; he has compelled
mossbacks to abandon man traps and put
in safe walkways. He has given us miles
upon miles of cement walks, where we
had but rods. He so adroitly managed
that we have better system of street
lighting, by the adoption of the intersec-
ton system, than any other city upon the
coast.
By his firmness he brought down the
price of street work, and gave to the I'M
provement Association support, without
which it could have done nothing. He
compelled contractors to let go their grip
upon the purses of the property
and as result one of the men who was
refused special privileges is out against
him to-day as an Independent candidate
He has submitted to the people every
question that they have desired to pass
upon before adoption into city policy, and
when they decided he has faithfully,
diligently and aggressively enforced the
policy the people resolved upon. Within
ali that was possible to be accomplished
in the time and under the circumstances,
he has improved the drainage and sew
age disposal system, and has inquired
into and stands ready to forward the best
sewage disposal plans science and exper-
fence have proved.
He has the courage of conviction, does
not fear to announce his position, nor
lack the strength of character to stand
by it, without fear and regardless of
cfr Of,
icism. he has not proved weak, vacil-
lating, timorous, but resolute even to
stubbornness that has put him more than
once in antagonism with powerful inf1u-
ences, but which has always resulted in
benefit TO the people of the city. In short,
William Mclaughlin has made so good
a Street Commissioner that at this crit
zeal time TO displace him with an untried
man would be little short of folly.
We believe that city administration
should be regardless of political belief
and fealty, and upon business basis
solely. 1t has not always been possible
to secure such a system even in part. The
people have been forced to make a choice
between political parties; but the day is
near at hand when the enforcement of
municipal government from political
party will be wholly effected. In the
meantime they must select from candi-
dates nominated by party and independ-
ent candidates. Such is the situation
now. Fortunately at this crisis the choice
is between tried competency and the am
bition of untried men to administer our
street affairs. We believe our citizens
viii do the city the credit and benefit of
selecting William Mclaughlin, and thus
indorse the policy of choosing for fitness
and city gain alone, regardless of party
tradition. the party whip. the schemes of
bosses and the lampooning and ribald
wit of cranks and chronic grumblers.
THEY LIKE NEITHER OF THEM.
When William Mclaughlin is elected