Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-01-12
CURRENT CAMPAIGN GOSSIP.
WHAT THE DEMOCRACY AND THE
MINORITY SAY.
Reform WIN Have show mt tho
Meeting OF the Party Next sRtur-
day-Matters of General Interest
Being Discussed.

The Democrats of Fort Worth are
talking rather early In the season this
year on account OF the unusual provoca-
ton caused by the effort to get up an
independent movement The Gazette is
Endorsed an every hand for having call
ed the turn on the projectors OF the
movement. Republicans who are too
much in the minority here to do any
thing but make noise, have considera-
BILE to say about good government but
as yet they have not taken any steps
looking TO organization for the
campaign. The Popullsts will get to-
gether Monday night at the city hail
to discuss the situation. The cit
zens" will meet in the Sixth ward to-
night to formulate their plans. This
/ Is the situation TO date. There VIII
probably be interesting developments
during the coming week. II IS evident
that the Citizens" while their position
has been uncovered before they were
ready for it, have not been ut all dls-
mayed by the exposure. They are tank
| ing confidently and 1t seems that they
| Will make determined EFFORT TO pro-
! feet themselves with energy II not with
l force into the coming campaign. II Is
! expected that some OF the leaders OF
the movement will attend the mass
I meeting OF the Democracy called FOR
next Saturday and there is some con-
lecture as TO the figure they may cut
there. They are apparently brimming
over, so far as can be ascerta!ned, with
demands for reform so that no httle
curiosity exists as TO what 1t IS they
want.
Considerable has been said OF late
about expenditures In the city Eov-
eminent and the burdens OF taxa
ton.
Democrats admit freely that there
has been an Increase in the city eN-
pcnditures OF late, but point out that
the inception OF important and neces-
/ sary improvements has entalled cN-
penses which 1t was impossible to
avoid.
Fort Worth. they say, IN passing
through the transition from town to
a city has had to assume the burdens
which must be borne by every town
when It begins tu assume metropolitan
airs, and aspire to recognition among
the places OF not in the country. The
greater portion Of the money which
has been expended Of late has been IN
the way OF permanent improvement,
without which the pretenslOus OF Fort
Worth TO be city would have been
very shabby, indeed, they say.
The question OF the charter amend
ments is also being discussed at the
corners and IL is anticipated that this
may be sprung at the Democratic mars
meeting. The drift OF opinion does not
seem TO be at all in favor OF the pro-
posed amendments. by which the cleo
ton OF the principal city officers VIII
be thrown into tile council, but there
Is decided division OF sentiment on
the question.
These are the principal topics OF
discussion in reference to the Demo-
cratic mass meeting, and the city
campaign Others may develop and
altogether. It Is certain this Will be
one Of the most interesting campaigns
In the history OF the city, but that il
Will result as usual in q Democratic
victory and more vain schemes on
the part OF the opposition TO down
the,dOminant party.
The regular January quarterly meet
ing Of the THrraut County Farmers Al
liunce was held yesterday at the office
of the Industrial Educator, on the
square, The proceedings Of course
were strictly secret. 1t is ascertaincd,
however that there was a good attend
nncc. and that reports were received
from the various suh-alliances of the
county showing that organization was
being well maintained Il WIS also re-
ported that the Alliance store ON Hlus-
ton street had made u good showing,
aud consequently that thu Alliance fclt
encouraged TO increase It's efforts in
that direction, While nothing was Civ
On out from the meeting II Ia conlectur-
ed that the Populisis who composed II
found good opportunity TO discuss
political questions ON the side. and that
they exchanged condolences and return
cd home iull Of thought to hibernate
mcditatiyeiy for three months. when
they Will come back to eXpatinte on
the beauties Of the budding crops and
the hopes that bloom In the spring
tru Ia.
Mr. w. +. Stewart. member Of the
! city Democratic executive committee
who, ON account Of his position. has
taken an active interest In e,discus-
sion which is NJ this time uppermOat
IN the minds OF the people, was among
those who We're seen yesterday.
He gave Il as his opinion after hav-
ing conferred with various prominent
Democrats, that there was very little
prospect OF serious detection in the
ranks, and quoted a number who We're
! supposed TO be In sympathy with the
Citizens movement as saying that
they believed whatever reforms were
required at this time should be sought
In the Democratic party in preference
TO insttuting an independent move
ment.
Among the Democrats who were sun
posed TO be prominently identified with
the citizens movement is Judge Nj.
l.. Lynch OF the sixth ward. who WAS
selected us chairman OF the ward at
the meeting OF the Democratic city
committee on Friday Other Demo
crntn are mentioned WHO have been
represented as leaders in the move
! ment, but who are known to be loyal
Democrats. who viii not think OF de-
stroylns the party, he says,
/ Mr.. Stewart recalls The time when
the Popullsts were in control OF city
aftairs IN 1856 and 1857. At that tlmp
they Sid the mayor and a maturity
OF the council. Under their manage
ment city scrip was Issued eNtrava-
| gantly and deprecated in value until
! II sold as low IA co cents on the dol
lar. The Democratic administration
/ OF Mayor Peter Smith, which succerd-
! ed the Popullst regime, labuged under
q heavy burden OF responsibility for the
financial obligations which wcre thus
ehtalled upon them and which they
were forced 10 meet by the issue Of
a large amount OF bonds. In this FIRST (
democratic administration, after the |
Fopuilst dcluge aa1 In the succeeding !
ones II has required much patient 81 [
4 Ia