The San Francisco call., 1899-05-15
GOOD MEN PUT
UP FOR MAYOR
Municipal Campaign in
Stockton.
CANDIDATES ARE VERY ACTIVE
THEIR CANVASS FREE FROM
PERSONAL ABUSE.
Issues Involving the Progress of the
City Are to Be Decided in the
Battle at the
THEIR CANVASS FREE FROM
PERSONAL ABUSE.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

STOCKTON, May 14.-The closing days
of the local municipal campaign are char
acter1zed by great activity In behalf of
the respective nominees. Both the Re-
publican and Democratic nominees are
good men. w. Bruce Harrison. the Demo-
cratic candidate for Mayor, is a man of
high character and ability, but his candi-
dacy is recognized to be weak inasmuch
as he is manager for a corporation and all
Of his nearest interests are linked with
the exclusive business community on the
waterfront. AS the sentiment in behalf of
Stockton harbor and a canal to tide
water is growing daily, and the voters do
not believe Mr.. Harrison is in sympathy
with these ideas on account of his busi-
ness connections, his personal standing is
not sufficient to overcome the prejudice
Mr.. Harrison is not an office seeker and
did not enter the campaign through any
inclination of his own.
The Republican convention put up an
equally good man in George W. Lang
ridge. Mr.. Langridge is a young mer-
chant with advanced ideas on municipal
matters and has come out with positive
advocacy or certain projects which are
not only of interest to Stockton but the
entire State as well. The Stockton Har.
Dor project provides for certain dredging
and cut offs" which will make harbor
one-fifth of mile square, where now
II.
Langr1dge says on this subject:
The water front is the key to our cty's great
ness 1t should be improved, but not in such
manner or under such restrictions that few
shall receive exclusive advantages, or that eX-
listing corporate interests shall hamper pro-
gress. Through the foresight of earlier
officials our water front has not been given
away to private corporations and still remains
the property Of the city, and If properly devel-
oped under a broad and generous policy will
bring to doors mercantile, shipping and
manufacturing interests of vast proportions.
In reference to the canal to tide water
he says:
According to recent estimates a canal to deep
water from Stockton Channel can be built for
our city a grain center rivaling any in the
world; would bring capital to our doors; would
of the differentas, and, following the results
obtained elsewhere. would not add cent to
the tax rate. The Manchester canal cost ex-
ceeded $4,000, 900. and not one cent was added
to the tax rate, owing to the consequent influex
Of capital and large increase of population.
A popular chord is struck by the follow
ing declarations:
Municipal ownership of the public utilities,
especially water and public light, is a matter
of vital Importance to this community. be-
lieve that the water supply is too close to the
peoples lives, too vital a necessity to be left
in the hands of any private corporation. Every
inhabitant of this city is entitled TO receive an
sniahed sbeaIteIv at cost At the same time
regard must be had for vested private inter
ests. l shall use my very pest elIort 10 nave
this question submitted to the people for their
decision by ballot.
Mr.. Harrison has not defined his posi-
ton on any of these subjects. The cam
paign is entirely free from personal abuse
and the result will depend more upon the
principles involved than upon the men
as both nominees stand high in the public
favor.
Another feature is the presence of a So
cialst ticket in the field and some interest
is felt as to how large a vote will be
polled. Ross l. Buell., the mayorality
nominee of the Section. is a brother OF
p. A Buell., the lumber dealer and plan
ing mill owner.