Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-05-11
CITY ADVERTISING.
What a Citizen Says Of
The Matter.
MAYORS WRONG COURSE.
Using His Official Position to Aid q
Private Enterprise,
Editor Tribune I:

Editor Tribune:
Although during the course OF the year
and half last passed Mayor Tiepke has
addressed several startling communica-
tion to our City Fathers, the greater por-
tion of which were of doubtful propriety
and all were ubject to the severest criti.
cism-none seems to me to be 30 astonish-
ing, 80 full of intemperate criticism, in
fiammatory statements, extra judicial
denunciation and extra. judicial declama-
tion as the one lately addressed to the
Board Of Aldermen Of this city and read
at the meeting OF the Board on Wednes-
language and sarcasm displayed and used
in this communication would make one
almost fancy that the Mayor, instead Of
having an "interest In every taxpayer"
had very great "interest" In the corpor-
alton whose cause he 80 eagerly and ener-
geticallv advocates, and that he was hard
ly less than the paid attorney OF that soul
less institution.
Some weeks since a resolution was
passed by the City Council authorizing
and directing the joint standing commit.
tee on printing to make q contract for
city advertising. The committee met,
and, according to the provisions OF the
resolution, advertised for sealed pro-
posals from the various newspapers pub
lished in this city. For some reason
hitherto unknown, until the Mayor un-
masked IL In his communication the
committee did not make any contract.
At this juncture resolution was passed
by the City Council directing its commit
tee to execute contract for city adver.
tising with the Times and TRIBUNE.
1t Is In returning this resolution TO the
Board of Aldermen that the Mayor &C.
companies 1t with this remarkable com.
munication.
propose to examine this example OF
the Mayors special pleading and see what
II really amounts to. propose to dissect
and analyize 1t, and see Of what sort OF
stun 1t is composed. propose to weigh
the reasons given for:wit hholding bis ap.
proval of the resolution and consider their
validity and value.
Perhaps my task In this matter will be
Of little value; at least, 1t will be anus
ing.
The Mayors reasons are as two grains
OF wheat hid In two measures OF chaff-
you shall seek all day ere you find them,
and when you have them they are not
worth the search.
In the first place, the Mayor fancies
himself the watch dog over the judgment,
capacity and sagaclty of the committee.
He does not desire any reflection" to be
cast upon 1t. He displays fatherly care
over 1t as he might to little child. His
tenderness is very amusing. But what
has the question of "refiection" got Ito do
with the resolution? Is 1t a school for
department or social culture, that the
Mayor Is the official head? Is 1t sort OF
verbal dancing school OF which the Mayor
Is the master Is he the censor and blue
pencil user Of, and in relation to, every
thing emanatlng from the governing body
OF this great city? The simple question
In regard to this resolution was the rea.
soma bleness Of the matter involved. Was
1t justifiable and expedient? But, unfort.
unately, neither the original constitut
OF the Mayors mind, nor the studies,
pursuits or habits OF his life, have fitted
him for calm ard impartial examination
Of questions Of a public character; so that
the same traits OF confused thought;
equivocation In matters of public inter-
est tendency to declamatory denuncia.
tion; spitefulness, and wakeful watch.
fulness for revenge that have heretofore
manifested themselves on various occa-
sions make II not strange that 1t appears In
more vivid colors In this his latest effort.
The second excuse for vstoing this res.
olution Is, that Is 10 unbusinesslike to
give the city advertising to the TRIBUNE,
as the Post corporation is irresponsible"
corporation and its stockholders large
taxpayers and seventeen OF them reside In
the city; and 1t also has doubtful cir
culation." For these "reasons" the Mayor
Is OF opinion that tho Post should have
for city advertising.
But what makes this corporation Gre.
spoDsible" corporation?
Does 1t pay tax, or one dollar toward
the revenue ofthe city?
What property has 1t got beyond its
printing plant?
IL the Mayor kpows anything about
business, he knows thar the individuai
OF a corporation are not re-
sponsiblo for it's debts.
Where then is the force OF the fact that |
It's stock holders are rich men, IL they are |
N no way held for the Indebtedness OF
The corporation.
This whole argument is nothing but a
ham.
iuis conCeru IL lncoTpVrHteu 30 tnHt ltt /
shall not be individually IL
BILE for It's debts, and the Mayor knows
/. And after the matter Sits itself down
o which ofthe two papers has the best
liant, we'll wager our hat the TRIBUNE |
5 far and away beyond the Post.
But what does all this special pleading
or the Post mean? And how IL II the
dayor seemed TO be so familiar with all
he minor workings Of this corporation,
he exact number o; It's stock kholders,
heir names and residentes 2
These matters are seldom known by
utside parties.
Yet here is man holding an official po-
ition, pleading It's cause and using his
over for It's benefit, who Is not a stock
Older In the concern, but whose brain Is
rowded with facts concerning IL. There
aust be some reason for it and somebody |