St. Paul daily globe., 1895-11-28
ON THE GLOBES PLATFORM.

The representative business men of
the city who have been called before
the investigating committee now in
quiring into the conduct of munich
pal affairs, and studying methods of
possible economy, are unit in favor
of the G. o e. s platform. They
support the campaign which we
opened months ago in favor of re-
duced taxation, to be reached by cut
ting expenditures in every depart
ment. The G l o b e, believing that
this was the first essential to an
other era of abounding prosperity in
st. Paul, not only declared that it
ought to be done, but published the
information in detail which showed
how it could be done. Nothing has
been more gratifying to it than the
prompt and cordial response of bust
ness men, and the approval of all
the people of its efforts to bring
about municipal retrenchment.
By the Introduction of a strictly
business policy in every department,
pursuing the same lines followed in
the conduct of private enterprises,
and by a general reduction in the
amount assigned to the different de-
partments for the year, we can real
ize easily what the business men con-
slider imperative; a lowering of the
tax rate by from one-fourth to one
third next year. There are other
changes which will help this along,
but which are not within our reach
until further legislation has been Sc
cured. Thus, courts have held that
we cannot make the saving that we
ought to in city officers salaries
without the consent of the legislat-
ure. So the consolidation of city
and county governments, which
should have been effected long ago.
and will save large sum of money
that is now absolutely wasted, must
depend upon legislative action. But
what we can do we ought to do; and
the way is clear to, and the people
demand, the economies which we
have shown to be possible.
1t is also satisfactory, although not
in the least surprising, that these
business men indorsed the position
which the G o b e has taken on
other questions of great public i'm
portance. The reason that it is not
surprising is just because they are
business men, and the Globes
view is a business mans view. They
say that this city ought to place it.
self, as soon as possible, on the cash
basis, instead of borrowing the
money for each years expenses from
the next years uncollected revenue.
They are not enamored of the stime
check system. They are all against
municipal operation of a plant for
street lighting. The clear business
common sense which they exercise
every day of their lives tells them
that the city can insure all the COM
petition that is necessary to secure
street lighting on the most favorable
terms without going into the busi-
ness itself. And they look with the
abhorrence that business men feel
upon any subject that proposes, un-
der any pretence, to add to the
amount of the city's bonded debt.
What st. Paul has always needed
most is that it's business men should
make their influence and their views
felt in the conduct of its affairs. It
is a much greater pleasure to us to
see this realized than any which we
feel from their Endorsement of the
G 10 b e s platform. That was sure
to follow, because that platform is
the business mans view, and is
right. is.