The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-02-14
CLARENCE SMITH TALKS
Tells About the Scurrilous Stories That Are
Circulated by Designing People.

Clerk Clarence Smith last evening,
that just prior to an election, that GER
tain people and newspapers who are
Democrats and Populists, begin to
howl about the city administration.
These stories are first started in a
whisper by a clique, then they are taken
up by class of people who are envious
Of the regulations of honorable, upright
citizens The street corner politicians
get wind of these derrogating stories,
which it is intended that they should
hear, in order that they will get in gen.
eraI ejaculation, so that the party in
power viii have a slur cast upon their
administra ton All for political effect.
The men who are the instgators of these
scurrlious tales are the men who have
the making of the states Of what is US
ually called the Citizens ticket.
Mr.. Smith very courteously showed
the books to the reporter for the Eagle
Yesterday evening and helped draw off
report of the condition of affairs as they
exist The figures are there TO prove to
the contrary the false statements which
of late have been so prodigiously circu-
lated. The total amount of bills unpaid
by the city up TO yesterday were
S2.12310. Cash in the city treasury
s53. O3464 Bonds and interest due the
aries have been paid until February 1,
and all labor bills have been paid up to
February S, and are paid every two
weeks and have been for months.
The city has paid on account of de-
felt in police department in 1896 nearly
$40. 900, in round figures. The expenses
Of running the city for the fiscal year end
ing March 81, will show a reduction over
the preceding year, Notwithstanding the
fact that the present administration has
reduced the expenses every year since il
has been in power. The present city ad-
ministra ton has reduced the current ex-
penses 10 the minimum. Never in the
history Of the city has the city been run
on less expense.
Among some Of the stories which have
gained circulation, is that City Engineer
Jackson draws his salary, yet gives none
of his time 20 his duties. The truth is
that Mr. Jackson is in touch with his Of
lice all the time and spends at least
two days out of the six in personally d.
recting the affairs of the Office. Anoth-
Ell tale going the rounds is that Captain
George Harris is employed at a salary
Of $40 per month to look after Linwood
park Captain Harris gets 90 cents
day and furnishes his own horse and
buggy during the winter months, in the
summer he draws 81 80 per day and is
kept busy early and late. 1t is absolute
l. necessary that man BE- employed 10
look after the park. as one Of the condl-
tions under which the park was donated
to the city was that it be kept in good
condition. To violate this agreement
would cause the park TO revert back TO
The original donors.
The prospecting wells have come in
for their share OF talk. The citizens by
a vote in proportion as to l voted that
the city prospect for coal. oil or gas ana
the city officials have only followed out
the wishes of their constituents.
The fact that such men as j. W. Bur-
ton. Charles Daniels, J. L. Francis, f.
NJ. Handley. B. F. Mclean. DR. J. VI.
Minick. Gus A Miller. John Knoblauch.
D1. J. W. Shultz. ]. Giles Smith, ". =.
Throckmorton and George L. Young
make up the personnel Of the city coun-
ell is a guarantee Of the honesty and IN
tsgritv and business ability of this ad-
ministration. The men composing the
council are made up Of all parties.
They are among the best business men
in the city. standing high, in religious,
social and business circles. Those people
who desire - tear down the regulations
OF men which il has taken years to build
10 ought 10 be severely death with.
Mr. John Moore. cashier Of the Fourth
National bank. which Is the city reposi-
tory. said last evening: That the city :
finances were in better condition today
than he had ever known them TO be
since he has had anything 10 do with
them" This talk viii be continued until
after the city election. said Mr.. Smith.
when il will subside until another cleo
ton when it win he revived, but il is
shame that such campaign lies are per-
mitced u be circulated ana not be con-
tTad.c;ed. especially when there IS not
one iota OF truth in any o. them.