The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-01-16
nov. JOIN II. nnowNr.
He Announces for the Position OF
Mayor OF Houston.

Mayor of Houston.
The Post this morning contains the an
nouncement for mayor OF Hon Johu r.
nrowue, This formal announcement will
be followed later. no doubt, by an explicit
the various issues now uppormost In the
minds Of the people 81 Houston And there
ara issues In fact. this campaign win he
waged on issues rather than With regard
10 men.
/ So far as Mr., Browne Is concerned, near
ly every citizen OF Houston knows him.
And those who know him best believe in
"mossback" and say they oppose his can
didacy on that ground 70 all such it is
/ only necessary to point TO th- record,
which shows that durug no four years In
the life Of Houston was there ever seen so
much OF public Improvement as during
the four years ucumbency OF Mr.. Browne
as mayor, from 1892 TO 1896, nor indeed
had any administration ever more fiat
tgring record as the economical adminis-
traitor OF the revenues of the city. This
/ four years witnessed the rehabilitation of
I tho credit OF the city, the first sale OF
/ bonds being made in 1892, for school
building purposes. Previous to this time
/ the only bonds issued after reconstruction
/ days were for retundng and compromise
| OF Indebtedness, but Under the admtuis-
I tration OF MIR. Browne capitalists were
found ready 10 take and pay for the city "a
bonds and her credit was fully re-estab-
lished.
But few paved streets we're here prior TO
the induction OF Mr. Browne into office As
mayor. and the school buildings were to
tally inadequate to accommodate tho acho-
lastic population The street paving mat
ter was vigorously taken mp. With the re-
suit that the paving on Texas avenue, Nc
Kinney avenue, Franklin avenue. Capitol
avenue and the Harrisburg road as we'll
as the cross streets from Franklin avenue
southwark. was done during the incum-
bencg OF Mr.. Browne. All these are worthy
monuments TO his credit as mayor,
The construction 81 school buildings and
| their furnishing was also CperEcucally un-
dertaken. and fine buildings were erected
IN the First. Fifth and Fourth wards. the
capacity Of the building in the Second
ward Vas doubled, and the magnificent
High school was erected For the Hous-
ton avenue COR Hawihomel school a bond
issue OF 500 900 was made whereas the
total cosl OF the building and ground with
THE necessary furniture and accessories.
Was about 10 per cent greater, Tho same
fact exists IN the case OF the High school,
fur which The huud issue was 100000
while tue entire cost OF the building, sur
roundings and furniture was about $780,
o00--the entire OF the overplus being paid
out OF the general revenues of the city.
Another provision OF this administration
9 Was for police jail SO long and so sadly
< needed. This was met by the purchase
4 from the county OF the Jail building. which
as remodeled makes one of the best ap-
!. pointed police stations 10 the South Tho
T price paid Tor this property was only S25
o 600.
h with pride may the friends Of Mr..
Browne point TO the fostering care be-
. slowed by him upon he public free school
!. system OF this city. which during his ad-
. ADMINISTRATION reached point where it
r was recognized as the hest system of
a schools Ia the south non political and
Y non sectarian, upbuilded and sustained
: upon the broad principle of the greatest
good for the greatest number, No moro
lasting credit can be given any man than
L the credit for supporting a school system
In purity and efficiency. and this credit
has John r. Browne. And what is more,
: II elected mayor he Will take our schools
4 out of the mire OF local politics where they
a have recently been placed. This assurance
= alone should cause every thoughtful. con
. servatiYe citizen TO be his friend
Mr. Browne came 10 Houston in lS5,
when hut years OF age and has resided
. here practically since that time When
d Central railroad and atterward ran mes,
l. senger on that road. Prior to this how
ever, Mr.. Browne, then mere lad. wen
q to Washington county where he and Rev
{ Father Hennessey Of this city worked TO
70 gether as boys In blacksmith shop WELD
" Ing The sledge In 1871 Mr. Browne wa
~ partner with Mr.. Theo. Keller in tn
no grocery business and tho year folIowln,
&c he organized the grocery Arm OF Browne 1
In Bollfrass He served as alderman ~pr
"a senting the Fifth ward. in 1883 or 1889 an,
err was subsequently elected mayor tie i
AZ now serving his second term In the legis
A. lature.
s. Mr., Browne has always been stauncl
democrat and believes In party organisa
e. ton. and though a rumor has prevailed 4
e. the contrary se fayors day primaries a
no the falrest method Of arriving az part
n preferences. and had so expressed himsel
at even before the holding OF the late com
na inittee meeting.