San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-01-26
A BUSINESS MAN TALKS.
Meeting of Fourth Ward Elmendorf
and Good Government Club.

| Der Of the best men of the ward was
there. Rousing speeches were made by
Messrs. Herff, Devlne,- Robards, Tobin,
Brown and Newcomb. Much enthusiasm
prevailed and the utmost confidence was
expressed In the result Of the election.
The following is the speech OF w. C.
RobardS, candidate for alderman at
large:
FELLOW CITIZENs:-I am plain bust
ness man, not given to speech making
and with no ability that way, but so
deeply am | impressed with the danger
that threatens us that | would to God
that had hundred tongues, with every
enc the eloquence of Demosthenes, that l
might proclaim It from every street cor
ner in this city.
Municipal reform is In the air. The
minds Of the people, the press OF the
country from Maine to Texas is full OF IT,.
When San Antonio elected that grand
patriot. George Paschal, as mayor, she
placed herself at the head of the process
sion OF municipal reform and marched
proudly forward until he gave up his life,
forfeit to his effort In behalf of the
people.
His death was public calamity. When
we had buried him we stood in state OF
anxious expectancy, to know who would
be named as his successor
When his mantle fell upon the Shout
ders of our worthy fellow tOwnSman
Henry Elmendorf, sigh Of relief went up
wheIming verdict was, well DONE"
Can it be possible that the voters Of
San Antonio intend now to turn back
ward? Such would be the defeat of FL
mendorf. for | cannot believe that there
is in the whole city a single fair mind
ed man unbiased by personal
friendship, political obligations or the
hope OF gain, who does not In his Utmost
heart believe that the election of Gala
CHAN would be step backward.
l make no charges against him. as l
know nothing or my personal knowledge,
but will say that II but tenth part of
what has been published in the press of
this city, Of what is charged publicly
from every busting is true. he should
hide his head in shame ana ask no greater
boon than to be forgotten.
AS he makes no public, denial Of
these charges, as his financial record
when Mayor pointed unmiStakably to
bankruptcy. and as he openly avowS his
purpose TO follow only in his own foot
steps, IL seems TO me imperative that men
who have interests at stake in the city
and the general good at heart should come
forward and sacrifice some part of their
time and business experience to the gen.
eral good.
1t Is a significant fact that Mr.. Gala.
CHAN is being actively supported by the
large corporations that are most depend
ent for their prosperity upon the action
OF the city administration.
The managers OF these companies are
in elligent and successful men, and IL is
fair to assume that they are not actua red
entirely by a regard for the public well
ware. No one expects them to be, but the
voters are entitled to draw their own con-
illusions from the position they occupy in
this canvas.
In this connection Idon wish to place
myself in false position with reference
TO these corporations; much of the
prosperity Of the city is due to
them; they furnished employment
to large numbsr of laboring
men and are. in my opinion, entitled to
JUST as much consideration, and just as
tair treatment as any other citizen, but no
more.
Mr.. CalIaghan is said to be a generous
friend, but We cannot afford, IN times like
these, man generous of the public purse,
and it Is most unfortunate that the strong
following he has should be so blinded u
the dangers that threeten US, for | and
many of our best business men are con-
viuced that his election means bankrupt
cy for the city.
offer this opinion adviSedIy, for l am
lnlUTLUbu w p"GSOuS III pOSlllOu W huO",
that the collection of back taxes has fall
en- off in most marked ratio since his
nomination.
There is but one logical deduction to be
drawn from this, viz: That the people
who are behind in the payment of their
taxes do not believe that he is in position
to enforce their collection. If the city
does not collect her revenues any school
boy can fOretell the result.
i,,lT T. Il HrXr Nnl
laghan'S commission to an honorable and
far more lucrative position than that of
mayor. Why Is he not satisfied? Simply
because, in my opinions. he is being used
by people who have designs upon the
city treasu designs that he will be I'M
able TO withstand II elected.
| will go further and say that the
movement to fOist Callaghan upon the
taxpayers OF this city after they have re-
fused TO vote him more money Ia con-
Spiracy against the sewer fund, and 1t
amazeS me, my friends, that our entire
| people do not rise up In protest against
| IL. The purposes OF his chief supporters
! are so potent that he who runs may
! read " For lighter causes have seen
| our people stirred to their profOundeSI
depths.
when incendiary fires were OF nightly Oc.
currence and the wild bells changed out
their terrible news, how the people were
aroused. Men rushed to arms, the streets
were patroled, and no effort was spared
| until the miScreant who caused all this
| trouble was safely housed.
do not hesitate to say that | regard
the danger that threatens us now faI
greater. Then few frame houses were
destroyed. now entire property and in
terests OF the city are threatened, for the
! election of Callaghan means StagnatiOn
! 1t will be a declaration that property
| holders cannotcontrol their property;for
having refused him further supplies Of
money and having voted them to an
other, they will regard his election a
defeating their wishes, and predict that
not again in ten years will they vote 4
dollar for any public purpose, city o
county, unless Callaghan gives bon
with good security, not to hold the office