The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-12-14
A SURPRISING RESULT.
POpulism Docs Not Grow Much on the
Looming Up-The First Socialist
Mayor just Elected at Haverhill,
Mass.-His Platform of Principles.

Mass.-His Platform of Principles.
HAVERHILL, Mass, Dec. 8.-An avowed
disciple of social democracy will on Jan. 2
be inaugurated mayor of this city, being
so far as known the first socialist to be
elected to an administrative office in this
country.
BY the municipal election, John c.
Chase, aged % years, a clerk in a CO.
operative grocery store, was elected mayor
as the candidate of the social democracy
by a plurality Of $50 votes, in u field Of six
candidates. With him on the victorious
ticket were three socialists for aldermen
and three for codncilmen
Chase declares that his only purpose
in the mayors chair will be to carry out
the principles of the local party platform,
which is as follows:
Article l. The acquisition by the NUM-
cipality of the public utilities, such as
street railways, gas and electric light
plants and all other utilities requiring a
franchise, the same to be operated by the
operatives, comparatively subject to di-
rect vote of the whole people; the en-
ployes to elect their own superior OFF,
GERS, but no employe to be discharged for
political reasons.
Article 2. We demand the abolition OF
the contract labor system on all public
works.
Article g. We demand that eight hours
constitute days work with a minimum
wage of $500 per diem.
Article 4. We demand that all salaries
and wages paid by the municipality be In
proportion to the services rendered.
Article s. We demand that the city
when necessary, furnish proper Iood,
clothing and shoes to all children who
are kept at home account OF lack OF
proper food, clothing and shoes.
Article 6. We demand that the full
powers of the municipality be exercised
for the relief of the unemployed, not by
charity but by the establishment of pub
lie works for their employment.
Article Z. We demand the abolition of
grade crossings, and every other menace to
human health and life. .
Article 8. We demand that the burden
of taxation be distributed in exact pro-
portion to the holdings of each citizen.
Article 9. We demand the abolition OF
all secret sessions OF the city council
and that a public record be kept of the
vote of each member of all questions.
Article TO- We demand the adoption Of
the principles of the. initiative and refer
endum and proportional representation
Article II. We demand that all officers
stituencies.
Article r. We demand the adjustment
of secret balloting in the city council.
Mr.. Chase said, referring to the plat
form
Il shall try with my comrades who have
each Of these matters before the people.
Our campaign is not revolutionary one.
we shall force nothing down the
threats of the people, but will seek
to educate them until they ask
for these things that we recommend.
That is as far as l can outline our pol
icy. There will be no general turnover
in the city hall, and we shall try to do
nothing but conduct the business of the
city in the most careful and honest man
f, ner. I do not expect opposition from the
other parties in the city council, but think
we will have harmonious administration. .
Mr.. Chase, who will soon become the
executive head of the city, with salary
Of $1,000 is peculiarly man Of 1.-THE people.
He is a clerk in the cooperative store,
although he is the president of the Haver-
hill Cooperative Society which controls this
and another storesin the city. He had been
previously employed for five years IN a
shoe factory in various positions.
Does this mean that the working peo-
pie at last propose to take that part in
public affairs to which they are entitled
under the constitution?
If the republic is to live must not the