The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-23

wealth accumulated under a high tariff
and single gold standard 10 relieve the
sufferings of their neighbors who have not
been benefited by such laws.
In approaching this election to be held
under the Australian ballot law, we con-
denim Governor Mount and the late Repub-
Ilcan Legislature for the act of Feb %,
1897, striking down the safeguards of the
ballot established by the Democratic party
and opening the door TO fraud and corrup
uol III eleCuons. InlS dow at the Sanctlty
OF the ballot should be resented by every
friend OF honest elections and popular gov
eminent We also condemn our State Off
Gals for refusing to aid in enforcing the
State law against the trusts that openly
and notoriously operate in this State de-
s tTS1yyl competitions debating prices to
sellers and buyers alike and increasing the
saries of life
we extend our sympathy to the striking
coal miners Of Indiana in their struggle
against starvation. We believe that the APP
pointment by Governor Mount of a parti-
san commission TO visit the mining districts
ana ma II the suffering really exists, which
has been notorious for weeks, is a wanton
ulllng with serious situation.
THE MUNICIPAL FEATURE.
1--WE favor the management of municipal
business upon strictly business principles
and for that reason we heartily indorse the
administration of Mayor Taggart. which
has never been surpassed in the history of
the city for integrity, intelligence, vigor,
economy and general efficiency. During his
incumbency all the interests of this great
and growing city have been carefully
guarded. Without any increase of taxation,
the present administration has given In
danapolis an improved fire department I'M
surpassed in the country, thus securing
reduction in the rates Of fire insu. ance;
new police station and more adequate police
protection; a perfect hospital, and more
efficient service in every department of the
city government. Public order has been
maintained; the ordinances OF the city have
psen enforced; life ana property nave been
tully protected; extensive public improve
ments nave been constructed without job
berry, without extravaganza and without
waste; all electric wires are being placed
under ground within the fire limit dis
trict;' the telephone company has been
forced to pay revenue to the city, a thing
unheard of in other cities, the water works
company has been compelled to observe its
contract and to furnish for the first time
in its history an adequate supply of whole
some water; street railway and other cor
poratons have been held to strict COM
piance with the law; large snnexations of
territory have been made without legal or
other complications; improved streets nave
been swept without assessments upon prop
erty owners; q modern system of collect
ing and destroying garbage has been put
into operation, and the administration has
insisted upon the rigid enforcement Of the
contract in the interest of the property
owners; the Board of Public Works has
opened all contracts to the widest possible
competition and thus effected large saw
ings and reduction Of the cost Of asphalt
paving nearly one half. The money col
lected from the people in taxes and assess
ments has been expended in such a man
ner as to secure the best results, and the
city has made extraordinary progress along
all the lines of metropolitan greatness.
These great achievements and improve
ments constitute eloquent and unansWer-
able arguments in favor of continuing DEM
ocratic rule in indianapolis.
THE PARK SYSTEM
"The statute providing for park system
is the work of Republican Legislature
and was prepared and carried through that
body by the last Republican city admins
tration. 1t contains many provisions for
proceedings which are arbitrary, unjust,
burdensome and vexatious to taxpayers.
We commend Mayor Taggart for his stand
against the assessment of property own
ers under this statute, until its validity
could be determined by the courts. We are
in favor of the system of parks already
proposed, and of adding thereto parks In
the northeastern and southeastern parts OF
the city the whole to be paid for and i'm
proved by the city at large-Iong time ponds
at low rate of interest to be issued for
that purpose-so that the next generation,
which will receive the full beneht, may
bear it's just proportion OF the expense OF
this great public Improvement which Will
place Indianapolis alongside the most pro-
gressive and beautiful cities OF the coun-
1--WE believe that the streets belong to
all the people and that they should not
be occupied by street-raiiway or other cor
porations without full compensation to the
city. Nor should any public franchise
whatsoever be granted without SUCH com
pensation. We are opposed to the grant
ing or extension of any street-railWay fran
chse, except upon the full value thereof
being received by the city. And we are
opposed to the giving or. granting of any
right, privilege or franchise to any person
or corporation on terms less liberal to the
city than the most favorable conditions OF
any ordinance or resolution heretofore
passed on such subject; and, further, that
no such right, privilege or franchise thus
given shall carry with 1t any right or
~ coll
to any other person, or corporation, with
out the full consent or approval of the city,
duly expressed by ordinance, and that any
attempt to sell or transfer such right or
franchise without such consent shall OPP
crate as a complete forfeiture Of all such
rights so originally granted We are also
in favor of 3-cent fares
I'VE are ready to bow cheerfully to the
decisions of the courts, but we deplore the
acted by the General Assembly of Indiana,
fixing the rate Of street-car fare at
cents, can be stricken down by federal
Judge, and the people left helpless in the
hands of a street-railroad monopoly upon
which they have conferred corporate pow
ers: and we demand that an appeal from
such decision be prosecuted without delay
We insist that all street-car companies shall
be required to provide ample transporta-
ton facilities.
FOR 75-CENT GAS
1--WE demand that the Council shall ex-
ercise it's rights to regulate the price Of
fixing the maximum price at which the
best quality shall be sold at not more than
IS cents per 1000 feet We are still unal-
terably opposed to the introduction of me-
tiers for the measurement of natural gas,
or to any notifications of the natural gas
ordinances which Will in anywise add to
the burden OF the people; and we demand
that the citizens of the newly annexed ter
ritory shall be given the benefit Of such
ordinances.
1--WE demand the acquisition of the water
works by the city at the earliest possible
time, and pledge ourselves to the exercise
of the city's rights of appraisement and
essary for the purchase by lease, bonds or
any other lawful system that may be found
most feasible The city government should
keep steadily in view the ultimate munich
pal control of all public utilities for the
general welfare of the people.
I'VE are opposed to the laying of any rail-
road tracks across or on any streets of this
city, unless there should be great public
necessity therefor, but in the case of South
Delaware street, where an effort has been
made to lay additional tracks. there is no
such public necessity. We are, therefore
opposed to the laying of such tracks.
1--WE demand that the city government
work steadily towards ultimate relief from
the danger and inconvenience of grade
crossings by concentration end ele-
walton of the railroad tracks through the
city.
I'VE are in favor of such reform in as
sessment and taxation, as will prevent the
homes of the people being appraised at
their full value, while corporate and other
personal property is assessed on little more
than nominal value, and we demand that
the burdens of taxation be so adjusted as
a on q classes of OrOparfV alike