Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-03-25


sists that all who are thus chosen
shall proceed as required by the con-
stitution, to the end that the burden
of taxation shall fall equally in pro-
portion to their possessions upon the
rich and upon those whose sole tax
able property is the rooftree which
covers the inmates of their homes.
Pledged for Efficient Service.
Recognizing conspicuous honor
conferred upon Chicago by its selec-
tion as the place in which the Column
bian Exposition will be held during
the current year, it is the desire of
The Democratic party, feeling respOn-
sbility for the administration of civic
affairs, that its civic service shall be
of the most efficient character, and
that its physical appearance and its
sanitary condition shall be not only
beyond reproach, but shall attain ex-
cellence. Free public baths are
desirable hygienic aid.
The efficiency of the police force
shall be increased If, like the fire de-
partment, its membership shall be
constituted upon merit alone and
without reference to partisan service.
Promotion in the police force and fire
department should be fairly earned,
and certainty of tenure should be
assured to every servant of the mu-
nicipality in these departments whose
worth has been demonstrated by his
devotion in the performance of his
duty.
1t is important that servants of the
city shall be required to give
their time within established hours
to the business of the corporation
which pays them, and while engaged
in the duties of their position treat all
persons having business with the city
departments with the courteous at
tention which is their due,
In a country where the use of
labor-saving machinery has been
brought to its highest development,
and where further improvement is to
be expected because of the ingenious
character Of its mechanics, it is man
ifest that regard for improved human
conditions requires that the eight
hour day shall be deemed sufficient
for all needs of mechanical labor,
and Democracy renews expressions of
its sympathy with agitation for a
universal eight-hnur day of labor.
A large source of municipal revenue
is the income from water rates, in
the distribution of which discrimina-
tion has sometimes been practiced to
the disadvantage of the great body Of
the municipality. The Democracy
pledges this community that its can
didates, both Aldermanic and execu-
tive, will bring about simplifcation
of the ordinances for water rates and
prevent the granting of advantages
to any particular class Of water con-
sumers.
The levying of special assessments,
from the proceeds Of which improve
ments are made, has become large
feature of the municipal administra-
ton 1t has been abused in the in
terests of contractors, whereby prop
erty assessed has been compelled TO
pay far more than the actual cost of
improvement If rebates have been
granted they have not been properly
returned. Assessments should be
levied for the bare cost Of the pro-
ceedings and Of the Improvements.
Insists on Reform.
Excess involves injustice. Reform
in this particular is insisted upon as
of great importance to the taxpayers
of Chicago.
Grieved and shocked by continuous
and repeated sacrifice Of human life
at grade crossings, this community
properly demands that the corporate
authorities OF the city shall devote
themselves zealously to the removal
of an awful menace, and demand Of
the railroad corporations speedy and
cordial cooperation in plans for the
abatement OF the evil.
That care should be taken to exc
ecute the ordinances Of the city IS a
duty devolved by the act for the in
corporation OF cities upon the eXecu-
tive and the Democracy demands
from any incumbent Of the Mayoralty
that in this respect he shall fully per-
/ form the obligations OF his office.
With a mighty population drawn
from all quarters OF the earth, Chica.