The herald., 1896-12-01
AMONG HIS NEIGHBoRs.
Mr. Snyder States His Position to the
Voters of the Second Ward.

West End hall, on Temple street. near
Belmont street, was packed last night
with Meredith P. Snyder's own neigh
bors of the Second ward, who were
eager to have the chance of listening to
their choice for mayor. If Mr.. Sny-
ders popularity with his own consttu
ents is any criterion of the manner in
which he has succeeded in working, dur
ing his two years in the city council, for
the best int erests of the ward he has
represented, then Mr.. Snyder has proved
himself a faithful public servant ,and is
entitled from that fact alone to the re =
spectful consideration of the entire
community. Next Monday will doubt, ,
less show that the esteem in which he is
held is general.
The meeting was presided over by
Charming Severance, and the program
Jory, who put every one present in good
spirits by his vocal humor. James r.
Armstrong followed with very logical
discussion of the question of municipal
ownership. which he supported with
illusions to the Democrat Populist
platform and the deadly parallels be-
tween it and the Republican platform
He also enumerated those large cities
of the east, like New York, Chicago,
Baltimore, st. Paul, Minneapolis and
others which own their water systems
and the rates of which are ridiculously
low. compared with the exceedingly
high rates paid by consumers in this
city.
Mr.. Snyder was then introduced. To
his neighbors his ability to make a
clear, logical. business-like speech was
a matter of common knowledge. so they
were not surprised. The filings of the
morning paper published in the inter-
ectc Of fhp water cOmpanV about Mr.
Snyder's photography have no effect
upon the men who know him and have
enjoyed close relations with him. Had
his opponent demonstrated the ability
to speak half as well there would have
been much marval thereat.
Prefacing with a brief survey of the
benefits which have accrued to the Sec
ond ward since his election to the coun-
Gil, in the way of park improvements,
the closed car service from Belmont
street to the city limits on the Temple
street cable system, the increase of
electric lights, and the regarding uf
Belleveue avenue, etc. he stated his
position, of which the following is the
substance:
More than twenty-eigh years age.
when the city was but a village, our
forefathers contracted for a water sup
ply. Perhaps It was the best thing they
could do, but 1t bound the city for
thirty years, and not until now has the
opportunity come to our citizens to re-
lease themselves from the grasp of this
monopoly.
Then this was only little Spanish
village of adobe buildings, but now in
the place of those crude structures oe
earth. we have a splendid city of fine
business blocks and beautiful homes.
and this question will have to be settled
for the future of our fair city by the IL. :
coming administration-the question Of
whether We shall continue to be over
taxed for one of the greatest necessities
OF life. or whether we shall be coerced
into paying an exorbitant price for the
plant of the water company or whether
we shall secure proper water system
of our own at an outlay which. from
a business point of view, would be
sensible and right.
pany provides that at the expiration of
the lease the city shall purchase the
plant. This Is the contract which our
fOrefathers made, and we are in honor
bound to live up to it; and 1 say If it
shall be to the best interests of the city
we shall live up to it, for we propose to
deal honorably and to live up to our
agreement and respect our good faith
as a sacred thing, but If the water COM
pany shall presume to take advantage
of this contract and its power and to
rob the city, then by no law of nature
or Goa can we De compelled to permit
the water company to force the city to
be cinched out Of s., 3,000, 900.
This contract provides for a commits
sion of appraisement. You know how
such commission would be constituted.
1t Is fair to suppose that the city wc-id
select man who would be faithful to
Its interests. 1t Is also fair to suppose
tnat the water company would choose
man who would be in sympathy with
its interests. and you know that these
two could never agree, in the very ma
ture OF things, until some one was cho-
sen by them who would be more in favor
of the water company than the city.
Now what would $3.50 900 or $500 900 be
to the water company il it could secure
commission that would favor the pur-
chase OF its plant by the city for 81, 600.
OO0? Therefore I say I will never sign
any ordinance providing for any such
commission If am elected. unless by