The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-06
AND NOW THEY'RE OFF"
MIR. SMITH LAUNCHES HIS BARK
UPON THE SEA OF LOCAL POLITICS.
He Gives His Reasons for "COming
OUT at Considerable Length-Great
Unanimity in His Party.

The c. f. Smith party held it's city con-
vention yesterday at the residence of c. F.
Smith on North Delaware street. There
was full attendance of the party. Though
the convention was not large. it was en-
tirely harmonious and there was bottle of
Jamaica ginger handy in case of internal
dissensions Mr. C. F. Smith presided, and
the convention nominated Mr.. c. F. Smith
for mayor by reclamation. There was
distressing wait from early in the day UNI
til late at night for the report of the plat
form committee. Finally Mr.. C. F. Smith.
chairman of the committee, reported the
following, which was adopted unanimously:
Time has arrived for the citizens Of In
annapolis to assert themselves. i believe
that our municipal affairs have been con-
trolled by political machines long enough.
The situation at present is especially bad,
because the machines of each political
party are alike controlled by powerful
money combination, which uses its i'm
mense power purely for personal gain with
out scruples as to methods. The admins
traton which now seeks reinstatement and
the candidate put forward by the Repub-
lican party are dominated by their party
machines which are both under the COM
plete control of this moneyed power. This
power has also obtained such a strong
grasp upon large portion of the business
community that men who would otherwise
questionable plots are compelled to assist
in their undertaking remain silent and
see the city's best interests and the rights
or her people trampled upon. ] have my
self within the last few years of depres-
sion, assisted in reScuing from ruin three
of the city's best business Institutions
Which had been attacked by this combna-
ton, either for purposes of plumber or be-
cause they were considered obstacles in it's
mas given me the opportunity of detecting
number of other shady transactions, in
the most of which the public's interest will
suffer.
The movement I propose to start is not
Tor q particular form of local government,
but to remedy municipal evils and to bring
the citiZens-thOse who are primarily re-
sponsible-to fuller appreciation and
more general discharge of the duties of
citizenship. The object of this campaign
small be to overcome the chronic apathy
and Indifference of rs per cent. of the av-
erage voters and replace them with an in
terest and action without which good gov
eminent cannot be obtained. The causes
Tor the nonparticipation of taxpayers in
efforts to secure good government in cities
are we'll expressed by Charles Richardson.
wee president of the National Municipal
League, who finds the following reasons:
:" First-Because they fear that their OPP
position to influential politicians may be
punished by an increase in their assess
ments for taxation; or by loss of custom
furious to their personal or business inter-
ests.
d" 'Second-Because as investors. emplov-
ers or otherwise. they have or hope to
have some pecuniary interests in corpora
tons. contracts CT offices, which would be
much less profitable under a government
too pure to be corrupted and too intelligent
to be OutWitted.
NThird-Because they believe that it
pays better in dollars and cents to submit
10 existing abuses than to expend the time
ana money required for long and difficult
series of political contests.
+" Fourth-Because they consider that ma
ttonal legislation affects their personal in
terests far more than any probable action
OF their local government, and that their
national party must. therefore, be support
ed in it's efforts to strengthen itself by Sc
curing complete control of local affairs.
. Fifth-BecauSe they believe the local
machine of the opposition party is still
worse than their own. and that to promote
its success by wasting their votes on a third
would only be jumping out of the frying
pan into the fire.
p" 'SiXth-Because they have no faith in
the possibility of subjecting politics to the
principles of common honesty. or public
affairs to the methods of intelligent bust
ness
This list is not complete says he but it
is sufficiently formidable to show that the
progress of reform principles among the
taxpayers must continue to be slow and
dlfhcult unless city government can be
made TO appear much more important and
interesting than it has hitherto seemed to
be. Another object of this campaign shall
be to show the people that politics may be
subjected to the principles of common hon
esty and public affairs to the methods of
intelligent business.
Il believe in a fair and impartial en-
forcement of all laws"
Il favor the continuance of city improve
ments with care and economy.
I favor lower priced but not cheaper gas.
I think the plan now being followed for
procuring it is decidedly preferable to the
organization of competing companies
Il believe we should have a cheaper tele-
phone service and that the same should be
secured by act of the Council or Legisla-
ture in preference to the organization of
competing companies.
Il think the present administration made
a mistake recently in granting a franchise
to the Central Union Telephone Company
without reserving the power to regulate the
price.
Il believe in the elevation of railway
tracks, and that the city government and
railway companies should cooperate to Sc
cure the practical accomplishment of this
South Side residents may conveniently
reach the business portion of the city with
out passing over death trap railroad cross
ings.
Il believe in the municipal ownership of
gas plants, street railways, water works
and electric light plants as soon as practi-
cable, to be managed by nonpartisan
boards appointed for life or during good
behavior, other employees being governed
by ciVi-SerVice rules.
In the absence of the feasibility of mu-
nicipal ownership, l believe that it is pos
sible, in making contracts with persons or
corporations to operate under city fran
chises, to limit the amount of stock and
bonds to be issued to the actual cost of in
stalling and equipping the necessary plants,
contracts should provide that all earnings
over and above a reasonable interest on
investment and provision for a sinking fund
and operating expenses, should be devoted
to street and park improvements If, at
any time, funds are needed for the improve
ment or extension of plants it should be so
arranged that, upon proper showing to the
Council or Board of Public Works, permits
sion may be granted for the further issue
of bonds. The contract with such persons
or companies should Stipulate that their
books shall be open at all times for inspec-
statements published annually. This, in
my mind, solves the Watered- stock ques-
ton and the er-issuance-of-bonds prob
lem.
Il am in favor of the judicious expenditure
of the money already appropriated for park
of bonds in addition for improvements.
Park sites should be chosen on account of
their beauty and convenience, and not their
ownership. l not in favor of raising
any part of the park funds by assessing
benefits. / am opposed to the building up
of an unreasonable debt for posterity to
pay in the purchase of park lands.
Il am opposed to all ring methods, such
as the shifting Of money from one fund to
another for campaign purposes and the in
creaSing of the city pay rolls by the hiring
of unnecessary employees just before cleo
hands of men who will deal openly with all
individuals, firms or companies seeking to
do business with the citizens under fran
chise from the city or otherwise. do not
believe il to be right or just TO permit such
individuals or organizations to be held up
the pockets of the people, who get no bene
fit therefrom, but are compelled to wait for
needed improvements, which might have
been made with the money extorted by the