The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-02-18
MIR. DREW ENDORSED.
Labor Unions Action and Some Point
ers From Republican Member.

ers From a Republican Member.
The American Labor union of Topeka,
which has $50 members, endorsed mu-
| nicipaI ownership of the waterworks
| and the candidacy of Councilmen c. J..
Drew for mayor at a meeting at the hall
last night. There were about 100 peo-
| pie present and there was not an OPP
| posing vote on the report of the COM
| mittee recommending the endorsement
The recommendation of the commit
| tee, which was unanimously adopted,
| was as follows:
1--WE, the American Labor union, hav-
ing become imbued with the progressive
municipal spirit actuating the older and
greater cities OF the land, and favoring
municipal ownership of waterworks and
other public utilities, and that no more
franchises should be given away to pri-
vate corporations, believe that the office
of mayor of this city should be filled by
a man of broad and progressive ideas;
man who has always been a laboring
man and identified with the interests
of laboring people; a man whose SYM
Dathies are with the great majority
of our citizens-the poor-and who
would at all times protect their inter-
estS as against the corporations organ
lied through greed for private gain; a
man who can not be 'wheedled,' bribed
nor driven into a wrong position affect
ing the interests of this city, favor the
nomination and election and promise
our support to the Honorable Charles
j. Drew for mayor of this city, believing
that he possesses all the requirements
as above set FORTH
A. D. Bauer opened the discussion of
the question of municipal ownership
with a few pointed questions about the
interest being taken by the friends of
the waterworks in the city campaign.
E. G. Wilson, prominent Republi-
can attorney, followed with speech
which was received with cheers of ap-
prevail by those present. He said:
u have ALWAYS been in favor of the
ownership of public utilities by cities
and especially the waterworks. have
carefully watched the course of the
water company and the progress that
has been made in Topeka with reference
to municipal ownership of the water
plant and I have had good reason to
congratulate the city administration
upon the stand that has been taken on
that question. I do not believe there is
anyone in Topeka except the friends
of the water company who favor an
extension of the franchise. The water
company was given a franchise for
twenty years and they were given no
reason to expect a continuance of the
favor. The plant has been in operation
nearly twenty years and it is old and
almost worn out and will be of little
value when the franchise has expired.
If the city of Topeka proposes to buy
the waterWOrkS at once it is not fair to
take into consideration the value of
the franchise-the question is, what is
the bare plant worth in its present con-
dition?
THE people of Topeka should offer
the water company but one alternative.
Let them be offered the value of the
plant and if they refuse that let the
city go ahead at once and build a plant
of it's own and let the water company
take its things and get out of the way.
(Applause)
There are some peculiar things about
this city campaign. I have seen a GER
tain Individual when the interests of the
water company were involved come for
war as it's champion, and that man is
d. w. Mulvane. have seen that man
stand up in court to defend the interests
of the water company and have seen
him on the streets pleading its cause.
Now, L see that same man come for
ward as the champion OF a candidate
for mayor, and have seen the Capital,
which he controls, or owns, come out
and make personal fight on Mr.. Drew.
know it would be foolish to suppose
that the Capital would support a man
who is not in favor of the water COM
pany. and the people also know it.
(ApplauSe)
There is another thing to be con-
sidered, and that is the purchase of the
plant by the city. If 1 was the owner
a better thing than to be able to sell
out at my own terms, and I would feel
pretty safe If had friend in the posi-
ton of mayor.
THE people know where Mr. Drew
stands and there is no use in trying to
course in the city council and they
know that he can be trusted. That is
the kind of man the people want to
see elected mayor of Topeka"
The vote was taken at the close of
Mr.. Wilson's speech.