Birmingham state herald., 1896-11-22
MR [. F ENSLEH TALKS 514 Defines His Position as to the T City's Interests. A N0N-PARTISAN RUNNER
 i s-s6 Believes Its Government Should Be Entirely Out of Politics-Some Questions
 and Answers.

The candidacy of MT. C. F. Enslen for the mayoralty of Birmingham has brought into recognition the history of those men who exerted their manhood, their means and their influence for the upbuilding of this great city and the gen. eraf development of the natural resources of this district.
 Mir. Enslen came to Birmingham when it'Was cross roads village and his name and work are part and parcel of what has been accomplished. ig sn
 By his long citizenship and an insatia- ble desire for progress and development he has not only familiarized himself with the people, but studied their wishes and ideas as well as the advancement of ev- cry interest looking to the upbuifding of the city. He is in word and in truth working man and of that type which has achieved success. At the forge and anvil he looked out upon the fields and forests of what has since become paved streets and avenues of city known and recog- nized as among the first in America wherever civilization exists. He has managed his own affairs with that de- gree of success which has given him rec ognition al home and abroad as one of the successful men of the Magic City.
 In posing as a candidate for mayor he does so strictly from non-paftisan standpoint, believing that he is compe- tent to conduct the administration of the city in business way that will lend honors to his efforts, irrespective of po- litical parties.
 A representative of the State Herald met MT. EnsleT yesterday afternoon, and knowing what might be termed his ''pe- euliar" position from a partisan demo- cratic standpoint, propounded some dues- tions that may be of interest to the ay- craze voter:
 MT E1nslen what is your attitude to- wards the city's financial affairs?" asked the reporter
 : q believe, sir. that economy should be exercised wherever possible. The debt of the city is already very large, and that must be managed with justice and pru- dence and for credit protection, and her debt decreased, if possible, and not in- creased. Wherever reform and retrench- rnent can be effected. it must be done" C ''What Is your position, MT. Enslen, relative to the police and fire depart iments?" asked the reporter. s"They must be kept up.' answered the candidate, in his characteristic positive manner "I do not believe in cutting the. salaries of policemen and firemen- these men do good work and must be paid
 'eWhat about the inferior court?'
 "To be honest and fair I believe the InfeflOf court ought CO De dDollSiiSQ IoI the sake of economy, and law enacted putting that work on the mayor. Any man with common sense can try police cases"
 T."what is your position on street tax, and bond issues?''
 fsfT am in favor of a reasonable and proper street tax. have never favored nor advanced more than S2 per annum street tax. Atlanta only assesses $1 and in some cities 1t is said there is no assess ment at all for street. but Birmingham, 1t must be remembered is not as old as some other cities and I don't think she can give up altogether just yet her street tax and do justice to herself.
 "As to bonds I do not think in these hard times they should be issued for street improvements"
 'It is said in some quarters that you want to be mayor in order to have the use of the deposits of the city's money in the Jefferson County Savings Bank. What about that?'
 q prefer, if I am elected mayor, that the city's money should not be deposited in the Jefferson County Savings Bank. have no preference of any bank for that purpose, and as I have frequently said the patronage of that matter should not be distributed
 Mr Enslen was too modest to admit that he is the man that will have to be defeated among the four in the field by whoever is honored with the office of chief executive of Birmingham but a by-stander and opponent standing near proffered the assertion to that effect un-