The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-07-01
TIE NEW CITY ADMINISTRATION

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The new city administration takes
charge of the municipal government Of
Norfolk to-day.
Two years ago Democratic admins
tration went out of existence with this
condemnation OF the people of this conf
muni;y, because of evils in government
principally through the Encouragement
of the police department, which was
considered as being under the control of
vicious. law-break.ng element, who
laughed ~ the protests and scorned the
warnings OF the people. Another reason
tending TO the overthrow of the DEM
ocratec party in t!lat contest, was the
rule of the ring and the miS,ule OF the
bosses--a rule that disguised hundreds
of Democrats and drove them from par
ticipation with the party, not that they
lost their Democracy but rather, that
they were Disguised at the manner in
which the Una chine" throttled the voice
of the Democratic voter and misrcpre
scented the honest Democracy.
These were the principal reasons which
caused the overthrow of the Democratic
panty two years ago. Oniceholders forgot
they were the servants of the people
and in the egotism of their conceit had
concluded that the people were a class
of political serfs who would quietly sub
mist to the arbitrary dictates of self-con.
stituted masters.
They learned a lesson in one days
election and We're swept from power.
Another party came into power on
pledges and promises of an honest ana
unpartizan administration, free from the
evils of police acknowledgement and the
usuIpation of boss rule. Its leaders VIC
lated the confidence of the people They
proclaimed a. PIohibltion victory, which
was falsehood. They organized a po-
lice that aroused the indignation of the
community. by reason of many vicious
men who were at first selected They
established n proscriptive ring. and be-
came party of prescription and perse-
ton, and as 4 result. the people, at the
recent election. so outraged were they by
the violation of pledges made, that they
drove from power the party that had
deceived and fooled them
The Democratic panty has come into
power again by an honest vote. and un.
der the pledge Of an honest and economi-
cal administration Of affairs, free from
the abuses and evils that caused Its
downfall two years ago.
The people demand at its hands a bus
ineSs-like administration. They expect a
v!Silant police who will be free. from the
vicious control OF law-breakers. They
expect the strict observance of the Sune
day law--and will no; rest satisfied un-
less this is secured. They demand free.
dom from bosslSm and machine politics
They want the laws administered prop
erly and their violation not wnked at.
The people want an honest fulnilment
of pledges made by the party leaders and
the Democratic press. and they Will not
be satisfied with less
That they may have their hopes real
lied Is the wish of the Virgin!an. II
promises the new administration a cor
dial and generous support in all that
tends TO this result. 1t will not fail 10
criticize honestly and can<lidly If cause
exists for SO doing. Norfolk and its peo-
pie deserve good government. The fu-
ture OF our city is bright. its progress
and development unques,ioned. all OF
which VIII be advanced by an honest
administration on the part of our Coun-
ellis and officials. Let the good Shin Of
State steer clear of the shoals and ouick.
sands and rocks that wrecked it on a
previous occasion, and the people will
han its safe voyage with satisfaction