The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-02-17

of Citizens of All Parties-He Outlines a
Conditional Platform, Containing No
Narrow Partisanship Nor Politics and
Which Appeals to the Home Love OF
Every Property owner and 1axpayer-A
Broad View of the Situation and a
Frank Manly Letter of Acceptance.
The formal reply OF F'inlay Ross tc the
fiautering-ov petition ask
ing him to accept the nomination for
MAYOR Will be found below 1t is more
than formal acceptance, something ad-
ditional. He outlines a conditional plat
form in which while there is neither par
tisanship or politics, there is that which
most concerns all who desire an econom-
ical administration and business meth
eds n the conduct of the city's public
affairs ana interests. No man OF what
ever party or political conviction will be
able to unfavorably criticise the straight
forward and manly words of Mr.. Ross,
who evinces not only patriotism but a
very lucid understanding Of the demands
of the situation. There is, in short, that
in his answer which holds the secret OF
the will-nigh unanimous demand thai he
accept the nomination and election to the
responsible position.
With this letter all that the Republ-
cans of the city have to do is to go on
and name men for the balance of the
ticket and for the city council as unobjec-
tionable and as strong in the confidence
Of the people as is Mr.. Ross, supplement-
ed with united and harmonious pull, to
not only insure victory at the polls but
an administration which will win the ap-
proval and commentator of every citi-
zen without regard to party:
Wichita, Kan, Feb. Is, 1887.
''Messrs Goldsmith, Naftzger, Allison, Fer
rel, Morgan, Alien and many other tax
payers anG citizens of Wichita.
Gentlemen am personally and
through the Wichita Eagle, in receipt Of
your communication CT the 18th inst, re-
questing that L be candidate for the
office of mayor at the coming city cleo
ton. 1 certainly am not insensible TO the
very great compliment which so large a
number Of my feIlow-citizens, many of
whom have known me personally and ia
timately for nearly a quarter Of cen
fury. have paid to me in the request.
Your expression of confidence, coming IN
solicited and with no other motive than
what, in your judgment, you conceive
TO be the public good, are certainly graf
flying. In accepting your invitation,
which ] do with much hesitation and |
with grave fears as 10 my capabilities TO
meet your requirements, | take it that |
the most captious OF critics will not ac-
cuse me Of a desire 10 win either emolu- |
ments or fame in political way. have |
never sought Office either directly or in |
directly as reward for political convic- |
ton or action. The chief executive Of |
flee of this city, to the people of this |
city is more important in many respects, |
than offices graded higher by the law, |
and the political ambitions OF men. 1t is, |
IN my judgment. an office which should |
be recognized by the incumbent as a |
purely business affair and should be so
considered by the citizen, and the respon-
sbility which devolves on the citizen in
this respect is as great as that which de-
wolves upon the officer. The conditions |
which confront this municipality are |
neither new nor strange; they confront |
and environ many of the other munich
-
Commonwealths. The desire to be metro
politan in al. OF our appointments as a
city was a lauGable ambition: the capt.
talist was anxious 10 invest. and so were
we. School buildings magnificent in their |
conception; public buildings that are an
adornment; miles Of paved streets; a sew
sr system great in its proportions and re-
suits: railroads reaching out from the
center in all directions. 10 many Of which
ne voted aid. represent the capital OF
Dther men and our desire 70 possess the
good things of earth. Therefore. the |
bonded indebtedness Of the city. not near
" 50 large as that of many other cities
IF the state or Of other cities of like i'm
oortanCe IN other states, IS the result of
the action of the citizen. 1t is no more
burdensone than in many other cities of
ike class and that il will be paid as
stipulated in the contract l have no more
1oubt than / have Of the integrity of |
this people. in whom-I have the greatest |
confidence, not only in their ability, but
In their determination TO fulfill their le-
gal obligations. That the very greatest
economy should prevail in the admins
tration OF cur city affairs is ma tier
a bout which | take il there is no contro-
versy. Business men have been COM
pelled to practice it in their private af-
fairs, and the same rule should operate
in the administration of public Office.
I he mayor. however. can only execute
the laws. Unless the council. which legis-
.ates for the city creates and passes upon |
the expense accounts IS. in fun sympathy
with his ideas Of economical administra-
ton but little can be accomplished |
Therefore. If, in your judgment, l can
serve you in this capacity. l promise ycu |
that I viii give to The Office in the dis
charge of its duties the full measure Of
ability l may have. ResDect-
fully yours. FINLAY ROSS"