St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-04-19
DAvlOSON's EL0QUENCE.
A BIG QyA0RiLATERAL ratification
MEETING
In MARKET HALL LAST NIGHT.

Col. Jam Wades Into the Old Par.
ties He Believes in Economy
and enforcement OF the Laws
No More Parks While People
Are Starving = Pay Laborers
Good Wages and Cut Down
High Salaries.
The enthusiasts who were acting as
supporters OF the gladiatorial candidate
for mayor. the "Quadrilateral Apostle
of Light" enthused, shouted and ap
plauded last night at Market hall. Not
withstan ing the downpour of rain the
cold water advocates, the POpulists, the
Labor party and the Socialists who have
nominated Col. Jam Davidson for mayor
filled the hail. The meeting lasted I'M
ill nearly midnight and ended as it be-
gan. with cheers and enthusiasm that
would have made the two old parties
enyiOus.
Col. Davidson got so warmed up with
his ow:' earneStnesS and the enthusiasm
of the audience that he pulled off his
coat and cuffs amid the cheers of the
audience and proceeded to hurl defiance
over the heads of his followers and at
his opposing forces.
The meeting was called to order by
M. E. Murray, AMI Judge j. l.. Mac
Donald acted as chairman. In q short
speech Judge Macdonald adjured the
cohorts to march OH in the campaign of
political economy and equality for man
kind. He declared that the Wright adj
ministratiOn had been SO bad that his
party dare not renominate thar man,
but had selected man in his stead
who is afraid to declare himself.
He read letter In which Col.
Davidson had challenged the other cau-
didates for mayor to joint debate. and
added that the colonel mad sent personal
letters to the candidates to appear in
person at the meeting and occupy seats
on the platform, or to send substitutes
to present their arguments relative to
the present and prospective policy in
regard to municipal affairs. and promis-
Ing polite treatment.
Ross Clark made a speech, in which
he paid his regards to the gangs in both
parties. He was interrupted several
times by an old gentleman in the front
row of seats, who wanted all eXp!ana-
ton as 10 what is meant by 1.-THE gang"
and who declared that he wanted to
state that 1.-The gang" is dead. Mr.. Clark
also discussed finances and the street
railway.
Col. DavidsOn's name was rOundly
applauded when mentioned, and as he
entered the hall. while Mr.. Clark was
speaking, he was given an ovation.
When he arose to speak. he was again
received with cheers and applause. and
during two hours speech was given
encouragement by enthusiastic mani
feStatiOns of approval.
p Col. Davidson began his speech with
declaring that he felt his position to be
one of greater responsibility than he
ever occupied before. He felt this I'M
facing thoughtful, earnest men, who
want good government in the
municipality. He felt that he
would secure the enmity of personal
friends by his course, out he hoped to
do something to restore happiness and
better the condition of affairs. In his
discussions lie proposed to put the
blame where it belongs regardless of
whether it should cause defeat or sue
cess to others. and leave the result to
God and the ballot box. ,.1;@s
lie held the Democratic party respon-
sible for the men 1t allowed to act for
it. although he would not censure all
Democrats. He discussed the flush
times of the city, and spoke of the fast
way in which the people then lived.
and said it was then that the city debt
was piled up. When, in 1889, the times
grew harder and the bottom fell out of
the boom, the people quit going SO fast,
but the salaries of the city and
county officials were not cut down.
Two years ago the committee of fifty
five had canvassed for man to run on
a retrenchment and reform ticket.
Their man was nominated by other par
ties, and the campaign was made on
the famous cry of turn out the gang"
The pledges and promises were made,
and the clamOr prevailed. The speaker
supposed he was responsible for doing
his. part in the matter. but he thought
the. men run on the ticket of
"reform" were honest enough to carry
out their promises. When he asked for
fifteen minutes to make statement at
the Republican meeting at the Audi
iorfum. the colonel said he was refused
the privilege, and he understood that
the city executive had remarked that he
was little cranky, and had joined the
labor party and the prohibitionlsts.
well, L remarked" said Col. David
son, ~ helped to elect that executive.
and 1 am heartily ashamed of it."
In again alluding to salaries Col.
Davidson asked why 1t is that hundreds
of labOring people assemble at the city
hall daily and clamor for work?
Answering the question, he said much
of the cause may be attributed to the
board system of the city. The
boards were then discussed. The
schools of the city were spoken
well of and in this connection it was
stated that Catholics as we'll as Protest.
ants help TO support the common
schools. The extension of parks in the
outskirts OF the city was criticised as
being undesirable in hard times, and
the declaration maze that the homes of
the people of small means should
not be assessed to build parks that
may be allowed to await better
times. No more park bonds should be-
issued, if in the power of the speaker to
prevent it, until better times come. AS
to the methods Of the board of public
works Col. Davidson dismissed the SUBJ
ject with the remark that he would like
to have whole night to show it up.
Concluding on the subject of boards he
declared he did not wonder that with
thirteen boards the city is in debt
The passage of the bill to change GER
tain offices from fee to salary basis
was discussed. Certain Republicans
were scored for changing the law rela-
tive to this matter, passed in 1891 so that