Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1895-04-10
THE NEW MAYOR.
Some Things He Had to Say in an In
teryiew-The New Council

n
mayor, j T. Moak, has been sort OF
curiosity in the political arena, and a
subject of much congratulation and
handshak1ng by his friends. There
was also considerable 'button-hollng
at his expense INDUCED in by office
seekers and others looking for favors.
Tn order to inform the public as to Mr..
Moak's campaign and the intentions of
his administration, which were being
grossly misrepresented, a reporter for
THE REPUBLICAN gained an interview
with him and elected some informa-
ton that will be of general interest.
'To what do you attribute your
election?" was asked the mayor-elect.
'tTo the general dissatisfaction" he
replied, (which prevailed among our
citizens as to the management of affairs
here the past year. They demanded
change, and felt that it could not be
for the worse. Mayor Voss, with all
his ability and former popularity,
could not stem the tide which set in
against him on account of the alleged
shortcomings of his administration, for
much of which, however, be was not
personally responsible Being at the
head of the city government, he was
held accountable for the workings of
its different departments. Then there
WAS feeling that the city had been
badly sold as regards the sewers built
last year, that the work was not in
some important respects done accord
ing to contract, that nearly or quite
$4,000 was thrown away in laying the
main sewer on First street instead of
Second, and what chafed people as
much as anything else was that they
were promised to have five years in
which to pay their special assessments,
out were compelled finally to pay all
in one year. Then the board ofpuhlic
works was an issue, the prevailing idea
being that continuance in power of the
old regime meant that the people would
continue to be tyrannized and op-
pressed as they were last year. There
has been too much one-man power in
the present administration, and that
one man is not the mayor, either.
There will be no czar methods hereaf-
ter. More might be said, but this will
give you an idea of what it was that
elected me-"
''On what principles was your cam
paign conducted?'
"On the simple pledge that if sue
cessful my administration should be
one of retrenchment aud reform. |
did not spend dollar to promote my
election, nor make a promise of any
kind except as stated, as to what /
would or could not do in the way of ap-
pointments, nor was [ asked from first
to last, what particular measures [
would favor or oppose. So you see [
go into office with clean and united
hands, and am free to do as [ please"
'fYou are the first mayor of the city
elected on straight Republican ticket,
are you not?"
Eyes; but am not the first Repub-
lican who has been elected to the Office.
In 1855, when the old Wing party was
in transition state and the Republi-
can party materializin2, the late John
| w. Cole was elected over William
| Chappell, who had been nominated by
the Democrats, but was bolted by some
Of his own party (the Myron B. Will
Jams faction) who joined the Whig- Re-
publicans in a convention which put
Mr.. Cole in the field SO he was a fu-
sion candidate and elected as such.
Again, in 1871, Theodore Prentiss was
elected, but he was nominated by So
called Peoples convention, and there
was no opposing candidate. [ am the
only one who was ever nominated
here by Republican convention ard
fought his way to the mayors chair as
distinctively Republican candidate" "
Can you give at the present time
general outline as to the policy and
aim of your administrations"
That rather trenches upon ground
oheeI cLIONIQ UC more properly covered
in my inaugural message to the council,
haYe no objection to saying in a gen
eral way that my policy will be to give
the people an administration which
shall satisfy the majority. [ cannot
hope to please all. My aim, in which
[ am sure [ will have the corporation
of the council, will be to see that the
interests of Watertown do not suffer1n
our hands, and that everything shall
be done for the advancementa and pros
perity that can be. I shall give partic-
ular attention to the present salary
list, and see if the city government
can't be run for less than it cost last
year, which was over $1,000"
"Havc you anything to say regarding
appointments"
Nothing, except that shall endeav-
or to find good men for the various
places to be filed by me, and I think
the council. which on the whole I re-
gard as men of fairness and ability.