The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-23
JOHN |.
STANDS PAT.
Issues an Address to the Citi-
Zens of Boston
In Furtheranee of His Candf-
dacy For Mayor.
PLATFORM Is SHORT.
''Treat the Poor Right-Scare
the Thieves
Give the Under Dog a Chance
Pay Firemen Better"

Boston, Mass. Aug. 2S.-John L. Sui
nVan, whose candidacy for mayor or
Boston was announced few days ago,
has established a press bureau and Is
conducting a literary campaign In his
first official statement, John L., after
noting the interest which his candidacy
has evoked, says:
Il suppose that no statesman in the
United States is as we'll able as am to
stand pat merely on his own record. L
can draw a crowd any day by merely
putting my face out of a door, and it is
no display of egotism if 1 say that L
got tired long ago of having crowds run
after me and cheer me.
by that 1 don't mean to disparage
the admira ton of the American people.
l shall always appreciate that.
But, as Mr.. Quincy would say, it be-
gins to pail on me, and 1 am blaSe.
That last word is French. 1 learned
1t while was training at Boulogne- 1t
means that you have had enough of a
Now, about being mayor. What are
my qualifications? 1 shall try to make
that part short, for L think I have
friends enough to speak for me. But
1 can truthfully say what follows, and
not seem immodest, each word being
well known to one and all:
When 1 come to making speeches
I'll have no trouble in making myself
heard. 1 can talk to 5000 people out
often in London-and I never yet saw
a crowd that made it necessary for me
TO use my whole voice. Oratory is
largely a matter of lung power, and
do not think my rivals would have an
easy time.
What is more, when it comes to
speaking I'll be saved the trouble of in
terruptionS. I'll announce that after
the speech I'll give a private interview
TO all interrupters. I'll impress my au-
dience.
IF am ever mayor of Boston or any
other town, does anybody think there
would be any bribery with my knowl-
edge? No man ever said he could bribe
John l. Sullivan, and the alderman n that
tried to get anything past me would be
an ambulance case, no matter what the
dude critics might say.
Il would make evil doing in Office
real terror. / would put in the best
men 1 could find. and would select men
with a record for honesty and brains.
could size up applicants for office pref
ty easily, too. ...-..ss /
IF 1 ask man if he is on the level.
and 1 look him straight in the eye, he
is pretty sure to come out with the
truth. 1 would have no class or race
prejudice. except that 1 would bar
dudes, Chinese, dagoes and all unfit
men generally.
Il would hear everybody's complaint
and do the best 1 could to set things
right, but L would discourage chronic
kickers.
Il believe in one American citizen let
ting another enjoy life in his own way,
and I'd have no use for the crank that
won't let another man drink because
he is not thirsty. Liberty is my motto,
each one to get his fun in his own way,
without bothering others.
III be a marked exception and not
say anything about the silver question
and I'm sure the American people will
thank me for that. However, let me
mention that if any silver dollars come
my way I'll not turn 'em down. I have
no race prejudice about dollars, either.
I believe in the policemen doing
their duty, and at the same time de-
manding and getting the respect that
is due them The police do not have
as good a time as many people think.
1t is no fun handling all the drlnks and
thieves in big city. Every drunken
man thinks he is right, and policeman
must be a saint not to lose his temper
sometimes.
I'D pay the firemen better. I'd find
places for small children to play. I'm
no Socialist-Ive handled million dol
lars in my time-but it makes me tired
to see city spending millions on paths
for horseback and bicycle riders and
hOIlerlnS anarchy If any man asks for
land that children can have fun on.
If you want to stop the growth of
thieves, treat poor little children right
Make them think that somebody has an
interest in them, and don't let them.
grow up with a feeling that the world
is down on them.
Any man that drives away a boy
for playing baseball. on Sunday or any
other day, I'd just chase a block or two
m. self to show him how it feels.
I'D try to do something for poor wo-
men that have to earn a living. For in
stance, if a man came to me for perfnis-
sion to build a Street car line, I'd say
10 him: Will you give passes to poor
washerwomen and sewing girls and all
women that can prove they are poor
and live decently?'
IF he said yes, I'd let him build his
road and I'd like to see him get rich on
1T If he said no, I'd turn him down.
Every body talks-especially ignorant
dudes. afraid of the dark-about how
to stop vice in big cities. The way to
keep women out of trouble is not to
drive them to it Any man who doubts
that half chance for an honest living
would keep our women straight has a
poor opinion of American girls, and he
ought to be kicked.
IF 1 am ever mayor of Boston, nv
motto will be: Treat the poor right
Give the under dog a chance. Tax tie
man that can afford to pay. Help the
poor women and girls that will be the
mothers of the next crop of citizens
Scare the thieves. Do everything in the
open.
"A man chosen by his fellow citizens
to protect their interests ought to be as
proud as the captain of a shin in cha rx.7