The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-01-14

G. f.. Chittenden, president of select
council is after Mayor Bailey with
sharp stick. The stick is, apparently,
not so pointed as to prevent a little
sharpening If occasion demanded it.
In this connection, Mr.. Chittenden
might more properly he designated as
chairman of the city Republican COM
mittee," as it was in that capacity that
he was attacked in u communication
signed by Mayor Bailey and which APP
peared in yesterdays Truth.
Mayor Bailey was stirred by the fol-
lowing sentence contained in Chairman
Chittenden's address to Republican
voters, and published in yesterdays
Tribune:
In urging the Republican voters to at
tend this primary in force, | desire TO
call to their attention the fact that three
years of Democratic rule is producing the
same result in Scranton that II is ac-
complshing in other towns and villages
I'm the valley, debt and taxation are in
crcasing and the value Of property de-
creasing.
Mayor Bailey's reply to this, and
published in the Truth, was as fol-
lows:
REPLY OF MS ltON'Jlt.
wish to correct this false and ma
liCiouS assertion.
The debt of this city has not been in
creased during the three years of Demo-
cratic administration, Not IA bond las
been issued nor has any obligation been
incurred which the city Is not fully able
to meet. one hundred and twenty thou
sand five hundred dollars t$l2O, iOO.WI in
bonds have been redeemed, and there now
-, hln ~
hundred thousand dollars &l00, 10000 to
redeem bonds issued by preceding admin
istrations. If taxes have been inCrca Scd
the citizens must look to Republican
councils and a board composed Of three
Republican assessors in liking the Ic-
sponsibility therefor
These are facts which any citizen may
ascertain. The lies which hava been ut
tered will recoil upon the neads of their
utterers. 1t Is unfair to charge this ad-
mnistration with the general business
depression and the consequent deprecia-
ton of values. Mr.. Chittenden has frll
knowledge of all these things and he is
personally responsible for the misstate-
| ments he has made.
James G. Bailey. Mayor.
Chairman Chittenden was interview
| ed at his drug store on Lackawanna
avenue by a Tribune reporter last
night. When questioned concerning
the false and malicious assertion" ac-
credited to him by Mayor Bailey,
Chairman Chittenden said:
MIR. CHITTENDEN'S REPLY.
THE statement of the mayor really
| requires a full explanation to the
| public, an amount of work that l am
| unable to give at this moment as the
campaign work has occupied me to
such an extent that my private work
for the first of the year is not yet
| touched. l admit frankly that the
bonded debt has not increased during
his term because it can only be done by
popular vote. l am glad to hear that
the sinking fund is intact as this is
strictly guarded by law. The tax for
it is regulated by law and the depos-
itaries specified by councils and the
whole is handled by board. So there
is no chance for any display of ability
on the part Of any city official in this
branch.
THE mayor will do the public a SER
vice by letting his gentlemanly and not
overworked secretary give a list of the
difference in appropriation between the
last year of Mayor Connelrs admins
tration and this years necessary esti-
mates; also, if he will tabulate the
claims, judgments, audited bills not
provided for, damages, sewer assess
ments-in fact. the floating debt that
is already fastened to the city, and
also, the mass that is claimed and not
yet in judgment form. This takes time.
| haven't it at the moment to spare
The mayor saws the wicked council
does it. He forgets that the mayors
veto equals twenty-eight councilmen
and that two. thirds Of the responsible
ity is his.
IF the mayor is anxious to investi-
gate department. the rumor is that
the fines in his own department are a
year in arrears, and that the city treas
ury would be over $500 richer for a
settlement. This would be better than
palming off sinking fund account on
the public, an account that no Official
can help or hinder without involving
his bondsmen.
'I am sorry that the mayor has rush
ed into print in this business. He is a
kindly, amiable gentleman. But he
may perhaps recall that said to him
when he spoke of running for the office
Of mayor that if he got it he would not
be able to leave it with the respect OF
the good will of his fellow citizens"