St. Paul daily globe., 1894-03-20
TWO ADMINISTRATIONS.

No one expects any fairness to be dis
played on the~part of the Pioneer Press
In discussing political matters.
1t was. therefore, matter of no sur
prise to see an article in that paper
charging Robert A. Smith with being
responsible for the city debt, and by
implication that the city has nothing to
show for its debt.
The fact that the city almost ouadru-
pied during Mr.. Smiths administration
is carefully concealed. The growth of
the city demanded improvements to
care for the population, just as the
growth of an individuals business de
mandS increased expenditures to care
for it. The citizens were increasing in
individual wealth as we'll as the city,
poor men amaSsing fortunes In few
years.
Another matter which our cotempo-
rary fails to note is that during MIR.
Smiths administration the city was
noted for its cleanliness and healthful-
ness. Citizens were safe in the public
streets at any hour. day or night, and
there was no fear of bold-ups, highway
robbers and murders.
The reform administration" has de.
velOped veritable reign of terror. The
gun stores say that the demand for
pistols has been enormous during the
past two years, people who never be.
fore carried a weapon feeling the neceS-
sity of arming themselves as matter of
preservation.
In 1880 the property valuation of the
city was s26. $50, OBS. During Mr.. Smiths
administration it was increased to Sl27,-
G69. .159. The court house was completed
during his regime, and that not dollar
of money was Squandered in public
works is shown by the fact that while
the liabilities of the city were necessar-
lily increased to keep pace with the great
and rapid growth the assets always re-
manned far in excess of Liabilities.
The credit of the city was gilt-edged,
and III 1889 the city received in the sale
of bonds premiums amounting to S27,.
794.S7, including accrued interest on
four and one half per cent bonds.
AS an evidence of the great ad.
| vaLcement being made, it can be
stated that in 1890 st. Paul stood
| fourth in the list of the cities of the
United States for the value CT its build.
ings and improvements, and this, too
| without including the amount paid fol
water works and street improvements
| During the Smith administration nO
less than million and half was paiC
| for extension of the water works, AM
that plant alone would sell today fol
more than the entire city debt.
Even the distinguished McCardy, upor
| whom the p. p. evidently relies for its
lying figures, states in his report FOL
1898 that the city debt amounts to GER
| tain sum, giving the issues of bond:
and for what purposes, and adding tina
the assets largely exceed the eXpendi
| lures.
And among the improvements anG
expenditures especially urged by the p
p. was the high bridge. for which i
now berateS Mir. Smith, though it Gle.
clared when the subject was under dis
cussion ttat"the time had arrived wher
the bridge ought to be built"
In 1889 the transfer and sales of rea
estate amounted to S22. .755 SOS, and tht
business and upDuildlng of the city wa
keeping pace with that era OF activity
necessarily requiring large eXpendi
| lures, but in all cases leaving perma
nent results to show for the money.
What has the present administration
done for the city?
Absolutely worse than nothing. l
has made life and property Insecure.
1t has transformed what was before
clean and slightly city into a dirty ant
unkempt condition, with dilapidatet
pave ments, broken sidewalks, and
general appearance of unthrift.
1t has damaged the city in fame ant
prestige more than millions would re
pay. And what does the p. p. claim a
its great achievement? 1t has taken u
$SOO.0OO of city Indebtedness whic
the Bell charter required, and TO
which the preceding Democrat
administration had provided tn
ways and means. A most won
derlul accomplishment. but thi
is all that is claimed tor the present ad
ministration by its friends. They prot
ably regard it as matter of Surpris
that the "reformers" did not steal til
money the Democrats had provided il
stead of taking up the certificates.
The taxpayers ought to be Thankful
for this, even if they do have to carr
revolvers to keep the friends" of tn
administration from holding them UP a
individuals.