The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-26

COL. HENDRICKS POSITION
Ability and Experience to Carry
Out Views.
REPUBLICANS HAVE FAITH IN HIM

The course of politics in this city has
from time to time been marked by special
issues of Importance. of which that OF
terminal facilities. the water works in
vestment, the a, 600, 600 sewer plant and
other projects will readily BE- recalled az
having been advocated and opposed, and
on which the candidates for mayor and
councilmen have in times past fought
their battles. But never in the history OF
local politics was party in power assail-
cd by wholesale for acts of commission
and omission as was the city government
headed by Mayor Olney two years ago.
The charge then made resulted only in
the triumph of an opposing party. None
Of the charges made for camp aign pur-
poses We're sustained and none OF the
promised reforms were instituted A
partial revulsion of public feeling one
year later resulted in the restoration OF
the City Council into the hands of Re
publicans, and all the Democratic issues
vanished as the mist, with one single
exception.
That exception is the issue of taxation.
and it is an issue in the present campaign
chiefly because not only was the faith
broken in Democratic promises TO econo-
mize in expenditures, reduce taxation
and lower the tax rate but because ex-
pcnses have actually been increased,
hundreds OF thousands of dollars have
been added to the Indebtedness and the
tax rte has been raised.
That is why taxation is now an issue
in the campaign. The franchise question
is settled. The original Union railroad
franchise secured. by the way, through
the efforts and in behalf of the interests
Of the friends and supporters of the pres
ent Democratic candidate, Mr.. Baker.
and subsequently transferred with the
property to new hands, has been sus-
tanned. Nothing short of an ovcrwhelm-
ing Democratic majority in the city
government would undertake to practice
any more demagoguery in that matter.
IL the city was bankrupt. as it was dc.
clared to be by the Democratic stump
orators in 1895, it must be still more
hopclessly burdcned today since greater
debt has been added. But the city
treasurer has demonstrated that that cam
paign thunder was all noise. The city
is not bankrupt At the same time the
burden on the Taxpayers is severe and the
strong popular feeling that taxes are un-
enuably adjusted probably has a founda-
ton in fact
Col. kendrick distinctly pledges him.
self to taxation reform, il he is elected
mayor. 1t is no idle boast nor will he
hecloud the issue by the fancifui, un-
practicable and socialistic propositions
which have emanated from Mayor Nc
Guinness from time to time in lieu OF
any serious attempts to CHEEK expenditures
or provide moro money to meet necessary
appropriations.
Says Col Kcndrick in his letter ad-
dressed to the voters: "The law regard
ing taxation should be so changed and
its methods so improved that all property
should contribute it's share to the main
N'hoheO VI " oohhu WY koN'iuhtbtt inc
burden Of which should be fairly and
honestly distributed among our citizens
in proportion TO the amount OF their prop
crty. With a Just and equal taxation and
q method OF assessment comprchending
all tangible property am firmly of the
belief that not only any further advance
in the tax rate can be avoided, but the
present rate materially reduced, without
the abandonment OF wise and progres.
sive policy"
This has the true ring. Tho time for
promises is past. The taxpayer and the
non-taxpayer who, in the final analysis,
pays most Of the bills, don't want 10 hear
any more theories. Ibe tax laws should
Lc changed as to accomplish something.
No candidate for mayor or the council
would dare TO promise TO bring about
such change unless ho meant it, for the
people are in no mood TO be fooled again,
and candidates who arc elected will BE-
he'd strictly to their pledges on this qucs.
ton. IL is vital issue.
And yet taxation reforms should be-
promoted I'm such way as rot to cheek
the opcrationS,of the municipal curporntion
in their progress and development.
Colonel kcndrlck promises o. keep this