San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-02-02
TO THE VOTERS AND CITIZENS
OF SAN ANTONIO.

Whereas, an attempt is made by the
most gigantic corporations of the city:
viz: The Water works company, Gas
and Electric Light company and 9TH
ers to again secure control of our mu-
nicipal government for the purpose of
amending and altering their contract
to their own benefit and advantage and
to the loss of every citizen; and
Whereas, said gigantic corporations
and monopolies are deceiving and mis-
leading our people by promises and
false statements, furnishing the money
and means to elect a candidate who,
during eight years of his administra-
ton proved that he was the ally of all
corporations and monopolies, granting
to them valuable franchises for which
the city received nothing in return, but
the people were charged extortionate
rates for what conveniences were Of
fered them.
Contracts were entered into with IA
vored individuals without recognition
of competition.
The city records show that the block
paving of our plazas and Houston and
Commerce streets cost nearly twice as
much as originally contracted for. The
city hall building, although contracted
for at $11O,OOO.OO cost 5000, 100000.
Bonds were issued without discrim-
ination and proceeds expended in law
ish manner without due consideration
or value received.
Offices and sinecures were created to
rewar dthose who had a pull with the
voters and thereby assist in keeping
in office one of the worst political ma
chimes that ever controlled our city,
and
Whereas,in order to deceive and mis-
lead the people regarding the financial
condition of our city no entries were
made on the books for many months,
information was denied to any citizen
who had the temerity to go to the city
hall and inquire about city finances and
everything was in a chaotic condition
and on the verge of bankruptcy, and
in order to prevent a re-occurrence of
similar conditions, we, the undersigned
candidates named on the INDEPEN-
DENT TICKET hereby declare
1st. That we owe no allegiance to
any clique, ring, corporation, monopoly
or combination to whom promises must
be made in case of success to the ex-
pense of the taxpayers and citizens.
End. We hereby pledge ourselves to
execute the laws in accordance with
the charter and ordinances, and prom
Use to use our utmost endeavors to so
amend the charter as the present needs
of our city may require.
Bird. To carefully guard the financial
affairs of the city; devise ways and
means to collect the taxes and licenses
as due the city without oppression or
injustice to the taxpayer and without
discrimination; to observe that every
officer of the city does his duty; that
no assistants be employed not actually
necessary for the welfare and needs Of
the city and that all appointees to Of
flee shall be fully qualified to perform
! the duties of the Office to which they
are appointed without other assistants
| to aid them.
4th. To employ home labor at good
wages on all public works, favoring
all classes and nationalities alike.
9Th. To invite foreign capital for in
vestments and the building up Of our
city, thereby giving employment to
many now idle, but allowing them no
favors or exemptions not allowed our
humblest citizen.
9Th. To push to completion as rap
idly as possible the construction Of the
sanitary sewers and then begin in a
systematic manner the building and
improving Of our streets and sidewalks
and do whatever else is to be done for
the benefit of our city and its inhabi-
tants.
Henry Elmendorf, Frank Paschal,
c. A. Keller, o. E. Silverthorn,
A Woeltz, Paul Meerscheidt,
Joe McAllister, F. A. Sweezy,
N. Underwood, Louis Oge,
Adolph Dreiss, Frederick Terrell,
M. d.
c. NJ. Wolcken, Chas. L. Sauer,
Axel Meerscheidt, Alfred Ruhnke,
Peter Shields. w. D. Druse.