St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-02-25
RIGHT The INJUSTICE.
SUCH SAYS MICHAEL rs The DUTY or
DEMOCRATS.
CITY MUST BE REDEEMED.


City administration Roasted
to a Brown Turn-Taxes Higher
Now Than Before Sc. Paul
Overrun With Thieves.
The independent Smith club met at
its rooms III the Fourth ward last even
ing. +. II. Ellerbe presiding. The mem
10 Smith is the test. Ten new members
We're admitted. f. ID. O'Brien AMI j.
II. Ives were announced to speak next
Saturday evening. j. e.. Michael, Frank
Battley. Capt. Gailicke, l.. A. Cerniek.
+. Ii. Ellerbe and j. B. Pewters were
the speakers of the evening.
Mr.. MichaelS said he always had
something to say when the subject of
municipal government as eXemplifed
in this city during the past two years
was the subject under consideration.
He spoke of the great financial crisis
through which the country is passing
n reminded them that not a law ex-
istiug which has contributed to the
misfortunes of the present was passed
by Democrats. He charged that 1t was
but the elimination of Republican
miSmanagement of the past thirty
years. He roasted the weakened Demo-
Gratis who think of turning back be-
cause the storm has eliminated at the
beginning of a Democratic adminiStra-
ton, elected to set these very evils right.
He referred to the pledges of the Demo-
Sratic party, and insisted that they were
carrying out and that it Is only the
towards who turn back. as it is only the
coward in business who destroys his
own life, leaving wife and children to
III because financial difficulties
come upon him. t'Itis political suicide
for Democrats to finch now in their
duty to the party"
He spoke of the happy and prosperous
condition of the city two years ago
compared with the present. IIs cieanli-
ness and good order were proverbial, and
all who sought it could obtain work
winter and summer. He spoke of Rob-
ert A. Smith, brave, noble, popular,
than whom there is none and was none
more generally esteemed. and yet he
was defeated by a spirit of discomfort,
hLiSh oSHloiioCo q CutilSC, anu LllEy
got it. 1t was the purpose of this
club to right the wrong done two
years ago. He spoke of the law
lessness existing under this admInistra-
ton. of the bad condition OF the streets,
with sidewalks broken, public buildings
dilapldated. life and health endangered
in the ill-ventilated and crowded
school houses, women and children in
danger of assault in the public streets.
Business men could not leave their
places of bushes at night with any
assurance that they could reach
their homes in safety. He believed
in proclaiming incOmpetency and
corruption when it exists with a
view to aIousing the people that it
may be stopped. He spoke of the ex-
cellent police force when Clark was
chief and O'Connor chief detective, sup
ported by officers who had grown up to
the work, familiar with every criminal
face, with the haunts and runways of
crooks to such an extent that a criminal
was spotted the moment he left the
cars. These It's tried and true-men
were cast aside and men picked UP
from the streets a. a reward for polit-
zeal service and put i'll charge of an i'm
ported chief who doesn't even
know the location of the wards.
In all this city there was
no Republican esteemed fit for
the place. He must send to Saltwater
and import a man at $500 a year For
what? Mayor Wright said 1t was in
order that ne might have a man in the
position with whom he could associate.
The people demand a chief who can
help protect their persons and property.
He spoke of the peculiar training and
qualifications necessary to fit one for
such a place, and insisted that these
rather than the social qualities of the
man should be taken into consideration.
They promised a reduction of tax es,
but they had actually increased the
taxes. They were never before higher
thar 20 mills; o they are % mills.
They gave SO, 1000, they say, to help the
unemployed; but tn ey rave &c. 900 for
the Jim Hill celebration. They have
cut the wages Of a few girls teaching
school, who stand on their feet from
morning till night that you children
may be educated-made them work for
less money, but appropriated $40, 600
for new buildings. They w%hip-sawed
to deceive the public, but didn't
reduce the burdens of the tax
payers or add to the protection or
advantages of the people. They have
made an issue Of $40, 900 certificates for
QmarOQn0u hnt tho amorraro, mill Ia
to bring corrupt voters to the polls. aud
they will not be obliged to break into
the safe Of the chief of police to get it
either. The thieves, blacklegs and
gamblers will all vote to continue the
present administration. They all want
it because il doesn't disturb them. They
might even pick the stars off the police
men Or rob the chief of the tassels on
his cap so far as any danger of being
caught is concerned. He urged all to
put their shoulders to the wheel and
pull unitedly for success.
sFrank sBattley followed in the same
line, speaking in the highest terms of
Mr.. Smith, paying high tribute to
the Democratic party, insisting that it's
pledges to the people were being re-
deemed. but he placed most Importance
on the local campgign. He reminded
them that all had work under the Dem
ocratlc administration, while now there
ID distress on every hand. He spoke of
the matron at the city hall, removed by
Mayor Wright, to make room for an
other friend-a woman from Saltwater
and when appealed to on behalf of the
widow and her Sc ven children, and
urged TO consider her condition, and
that she had no mean of support, he
Unfeelingly replied: "Why doesn't she
60 to the poor house," And this when
she had appealed in vain for the five or
six months pay that was due her for
services faithfully performed.
Capt. Gallick spoke of the Importance
of organization; he urged each man
present to labor to increase the number
~ - A.