Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-12-15
THE STUDY OF AMuNl0lpAL ELECTION.


their candidate for mayor and secured
majority In the Board of Alderman
and Common Council, tho local legisla-
tive bodies Of the city. Their nominee
for mayor, John, G.. Chase, received
2, 293 votes, to 1,9l3 for Moses II. Dow,
Rep, OFT FORD. s. Chase, Democratic
Citizens, 91G'for =. N. Rand, Citizens,
md 81 scattering. Tho platform Of
principles upon which the Socialist
Democrats carried the city was rs fol.
lows: t}ifitg
Article !, The acquisition by the
municipality, ct the public utilities,
such as street railroads, gas and electric
light plants, and oil other utilities re-
quiring u franchise, the same to no
operated by the operatives eo.opera
lively, subject by direct vote to the
whole people, the snapluyes to elect
their own superior officers, but no emf
ployo to he discharged for political
reasons. Sa a
Artnle 2, We demand the abolition
of the contract labor system on all
public works.
Article g. We demand that eight
hours constitute elay's work, with a
minimum wage Of o. per diem.
Article 4. We demand that all salar
RIGS and wages plid by the munich
pniity be in preparation to the services
rendered,
Article 5, We demand that the city
when necessary, furnish proper food,
clothing and ahoos to all children who
are kept at hoHle on ncpoupt Of lack of
proper food, ciothing and shoes,
Article 6, YWe demand that the full
pawefs Of the municipality be oger-
eised for herelief of the unemployed,
not by charity. hut by the establish
ment ef public wprks for their employ
ment. VY8i3E
Article 7. We demand the abolition
of grade crossings, and every other
menace 10 liUniau health and life, Il
Article 3. We demand that the burden
of tayation DO distributed in exact
proportion 70 the holdings Of each
citizen, E~ltt
Article Q. we tlcn,and the abolition
of all secret sessions of the City Cnun,
Gil, and that n public record be kept
! Of the vote of each member Oh all
questions.
Article 10. We demand the adoption
of the principles Of the initiative and
referendum and proportional repre-
| sentaticn. Az
Article II. We demand that all off
| GERS be subject to recall by their re-
| spective constituencies.
| Article 12. We demand the aboliah-
ment Of secret balloting In the City
Council. Lt
Haverhill is city Of about 30, 600
populations possessing considerable
manufacturing and mercantile import
ance. 1t is o type Of score or more
small cities within the limits of the
State Of Massachusetts.
The political triumph Of an organi-
cation committed to any Of the forms
of Socialism is regarded as y por-
teptous happening in this country,
where the doctrines Of this outgrowtt
Of foreign political conditions Is looked
upon with anything but popular favor.
The success Of Socialism, even undel
the guse Of Democracy, in Hayerhill
therefore, becomes matter of nationa
intepast, ifnot Of national Importance
| The platform of principles upor
which these Hayerhil Socialists
achieved their triumph at the ballot
box is worthy Of consideration, Thu
opening article -demanding municina
control Of public utilities--relates to I
practically tntrodden Geld on this sid
\ of the Atlantic. Municipal control o
| lighting and water plants is not new
Institution: il has been tried il
various cities with varying results
some good and some absolutely corrupt
Whether it will BIZ wise to adopt 1t a
general principle Is still matte
open to discussion. As to mnnicipa
control OF oil franchises. the OK
periences withrespect to gas and waite
give occasion for grave doubts Of tn
propriety Of making such q stride
And yet foreign cities. notably Glas
gov, Scotland, control street railways
with results profitable to tho munich
pality and satisfactory to tho people
But municipal government abroad i
not matter of slarish submission t
party politics, as IL is largely in TIL
country. And is II not probable tina
herein lies thY sourcd of tho trouble9
The criticize IN relation to th
abolition Of the contract labor syster
will not be questioned. The onl
wonder is that such a system shoul
, find foothold in this country. Other
than Socialists should oppose this Out
rageous system, with the utmost vigo,
The eight.hour day is and long wi
, be q matter of dispute. As to q
arbitrary wage rnte Of 81 per day, this
or any other rnte, will bs4open to que'
ton. The'law OF supply and deman
, has always regulated retes Of wages
s, and always will, all laws to the COZ
! trary. i5G js,+
If the den,snd for municipal salarie
, Sin proportion g., tho services rer
dered' were TO be enforced, there is n
doubt that the Taxpayers would b
largely the gamers thereby. But VIII
! is to determine this measure of CON
pensation? M His,sW
5 The demand for municipal charit
!, md the furnishing Of employment b
the municipality sor all unemployed
simply out OF the question. Such
system Of paternal government eapnt
!, find standing room in this country. i
3 trend would lie in the direction ,
b sitting thu Independence and energ
7 of the citizen and making him ~ mel
) dependency. 1t is not even worthy {
consideration. ."'e.s.'S