The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-04-04
APPEAL TO VOTERS.
Address Of the Democratic
Campaign Committee on
Election Issues.
.sEPUBLICANISM SCORED
Incompetence and Extrava-
ganee Coupled With De-
fanee Of the People.
TURNING DOWN OF DRAKE
Sam Dickinson's Punishment" Of
an Assememblyman Who
Did His Duty.
RECORD OF THE LEGISLATURE
Gri@gs the Foe of Equal Taxation
Can Amy Honest Man support
Such a Partys
RECORD OF THE LEGISLATURE
Grfsgs the Foe of Equal Taxation
Can Amy Honest Man support
suci, Party

The Democratic candidates held con-
ference in Fischer's Hall last night and
mapped out a plan of campaign which
they believe win result in the defeat of
Their opponents. Reports received from
the various wards indicate that the full
Democratic vote win be brought out. In
all quarters there is enthusiasm and the
workers are confident That a big victory
is at hand. The candidates have issued
the following address to voters:-
Four years ago the Republican party
in Jersey City came into municipal power
under promise of reform in local affairs.
Since that time, not one dollar has been
paid from the city treasury except with
the approval of Mayor Wanser Eaving
control Of every city department, the Re-
publican administration is accountable
for existing conditions. Let us see how
the promises of 1882 have been kept.
We We're to have reduction of ex-
penses. The cost of running the city
government as fxed in the tax levy fer
the present year is the highest in the MS
tory of the city. The pay roll of the
eity was to be reduced. For the fiscal
year ending December l. 1886, the pay roll
CT the employees Of Jersey City is sl3o, 900
4-ACEe KHAN the pay TCii lUTg Tile year elfA-
ing December !, 1882.
Five million OF dollars have been collect
ed from taxes ard assessments adjusted
BY the Commissioners appointed under
the Martin act. That act contemplated
that this money should be used to reduce
the funded debt of the city. Instead Of
being used in this way, it has been bor-
rowed from sinking funds to meet the
running expenses of the city. In plain
English, it has been squandered to meet
increased salaries and useless expend;-
ture.
The assessed valuation Of the city has
been increased millions of dollars, but
there has not been any decrease in the
tax rate. In many cases property is
assessed for more than the owners are
willing to sell it for This is sconfiscat ton,
and the common sense of the citizens of
Jersey City must show them that re-
trenchment is the only road from bank
ruptcy.
The present city govsrnment has shown
itself absolutely incapable of reducing the
burdens of the people. 1t has brought
to office neither Intelligent Judgment nor
effective application. The main object
of those entrusted with the affairs of
the city has been to build up political
machine. The city Hall has been turned
into a political headquarters, from which
orders are issued for the management of
primaries and conventions. It was from
tnat' building that the order came, last
fall, to retire Republican Assenblyman
who had the honesty to refuse to vote
against the best interests of Jersey City.
the millions wrung from the taxpayers
CT Jersey City have been put, not where
they would do the most good for the
people, but where they would best adj
vance the power Of a partisan clique.
The monstrosity known as the new
City Hall has cost about one million dol
lars. The Evening Journal has charged
this building and its miseonstruction to
the Democrats, and yet the corner stone
Of that building was laid by Mayor
Wanser, and not one dollar mas been ex-
pended on the structure, from piling to
roof, except on approval of the present
Mayor. He approved the plans and
signed ever contract Under the law,
not a dollar could or can be expended
without his approval.
The crowning infamy Of this administra-
tion has been its method Of dealing with
the question Of obtaining new supply of
water. The testimony taken in the case
brought by our Board Of Trade shows
that not single step was taken to pro-
tect the interests of the city in making
the water contract. Engineers were
rejected, lest light be let in upon the
scheme. On the witness stand, the
Mayor admitted that he was not and
71nxar 11od haar, favr,ox-er ~, Taxsox
City, and that he could not tell in what
counties Of New Jersey the lakes are To-
Gated from which it was proposed to get
supply of water. 1t was shown thai
the company to whom the contract was
awarded did not really own any water
and that the whole scheme was specula-
tive job, intended to cost the people OF
Jersey City eight million Of dollars. BY
the unanimous decision OF the Supreme
Court, the job was set aside, and the
city saved from bankruptcy In the facs
of the scandal attending the award OF
that contract In the face of the rebuks
administered by the Supreme Court, the
City Hall ring has decreed that the mem
bers Of the Board of Street and Water
Commissioners who voted for the con
tract shall be kept in office. Are the
people Of Jersey city willing to bow te
that decree? Are they willing TO endorse
the action of those Commissioners? Ii
So the opportunity is offered, for every
vote cast for the Republican candidates
is vote to approve the Eight Million
Dollar Job, set aside by the Supreme
Court
During the session Of the Legislat turl