The Louisiana populist., 1897-08-06
PROGRESS IN POLITICS.

PROGRESS IN POLITICS.
Municipal ownership will enter large
ly into the coming mayoralty con-
tests in this city, says the Twentieth
Century OF New York. The Platt and
Strong administrations, that have
posed as reform ones, have made the
name odious, and further masking of
wolves in Sleeps clothing will scarcely
work. 1t requires no argument to con-
vince an honest man that the value
created by a community belongs to
the community. Therefore, the hold
Ing OF a franchise by a corporation,
or an individual, is theft, because the
community alone can give it value,
which value belongs, collectively, to
all, individually to none. Now, the is
sues before the people are simple
lhefe Is no chance to get mixed up
on them, although the mud-throwers
VIII, no doubt, be actively set to work
10 make them as obscure as possible.
whether the political ring shall rule
tne city, for its own benefit, or whether
the people are ready to take control Of
1nelr own affairs, at least to a limited
extent, is now the question. The party
mat makes its platform simply the
public ownership Of public franchises,
no matter under what name 1t sails,
should command the support of every
voter. Let the political yultures and
their clients, the corporation magnates
howi as they will; people knowing
thelr rights, and determined to have
them, can win in spite of them.
senator Allen introduced a resolu-
tlon expressing sympathy with Greece
IN her heroic and patriotic struggle
against the tyrannous and oppressive
Turks. The bond-holders and usurers
OF Europe are on the side of Turkey
IN this fight against Christianity and
liberty. They care more for their prot
its from Turkish bonds than they do
for Justice, humanity and religion.
The resolution was reported to the
committee on foreign relations.
Six years ago only 20 cities OF the
United States owned their electric
lighting plants; now the number has
reached $50. and in no case can it be
said that municipalization was not a
success.
Senator Foraker has a pooling bill
IN congress, and Vice President Hobart
Is member Of the board of directors
in the railroad trusts. That looks like
a >cinch, and the railroads have little
cause for worry. Senator Chandler is
fighting the dragon of trusts. What
help can be given him should be forth
coming, says the Grand Rapids Work
man. The Federation of Labor, boards
of trade and commerce should speak,
and at once.
There are Il chartered cities in Mich
igan and SO Of them have electric light
plants, of which % are owned by the
cities themselves. OF the 29 cities hav-
ing gas plants, 3 own them; and of the
SO having water plants, 81 are owned |
by the municipality. OF the 70 villages
having electric light, "A own their
plants.
The currency question is absorbing |
the public attention in Ohio, and the
common herd are beginning to un-
derstand that it is not the tarif but
the free coinage of silver that will in
augurate an era of good times.-Ex.
The Cuban republic is now to have
money Of Its own, a million silver dol
ars being in process of mintage. "Pa-
triotic" New York capitalists will ad-
vance s1O,0O0,00O if necessary for the
taking Cuban guarantees to
make it right" when Cuban indepen-
1ence is acknowledged. This shows
:wo things: Capitalist belief that Cuba
S sure to win; and that Cuba is already
It the mercy of the money sharks who
always make patriotism pay well in
lollars and cents.