The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1900-11-23
THE DAILY JOURNAL.
WHAT ABOUT THE CHARGE oF SOCIALISM,


The most serious charge that is made
against the present Salem Citizens
administration Is that II is 10 the hands
Of Democrats, Populists and Socialists
This Is not true, as Messrs. Bishop,
Gibson, Duncan, Riggs, larsen, Gesner,
Allen and NOR are supporters Of the
Republican party. Walker, Burrows
and GriswoId are supporters OF the
Democratic party, while Buren and
Judah are classed as Independents. But
chasing all that are not Republicans as
Democrats the count still stands eight
Republicans 10 five Democrats.
But the charge Of socialism has more
10 II than trumpery political accusations.
From the very foundation OF the Citizens
bipartisan business administration II
has not been partisan, aud II serving the
interests OF the whole people instead Of
a faction Of some party constitutes Soc
lalism, Messrs. Bishop ct al are guilty.
They deliberately draw charter that
municipalities the municipality, so to
speak, and compels public business 10
be done for the public good and for the
public only. IL compels the refunding
Of the public debt at a popular loan in.
stead Of selling II TO some bond syndicate
IL requires that the city dictate the
terms u charter instead Of
the parties WHO ask for a
franchise. In this respect it 10 social
istic. II prohibits creating debt without
the express sanction Of the people who
have TO pay. II sold a postonice site TO
the government on the best term for the
city. This is red handed socialism, II
makes the people boss Of the situation.
Government that is absolutely in the In
tereat Of the people is practical socialism,
aud II Is only when this is approx mated
that the people get any relief from the
rings and cabals that dominate political
parties, IRON making states TO be voted
blludly at a rump primary to framing
charters in the back room Of some
political lawyers office.
Who are the men who raise this cry Of
socialism against The Citizens non.par.
partisan Administrations DO they favor
having all public work done, and hiring
all public service 10 the open market, as
any private citizens or corporation would
doY No indeed. Hunt them down and
you will dnd they are tho non,produo-
ing, non taxpayiug class, who are hold.
ing contracts and jobs, and who never
intend to work for living Ia open COM
petition a. the common run have 10 do.
10 not blame them for being terror
stricken at the application Of practical
municipal policies m public affairs The
moment such policies in operation,
like the Moor Of Venice, their oceppa.
ton Is gone.
Our council has been hagrant
oiiender againatlhis charge Of socialism,
lshas drafted revenue ordinances that
win pat part Of The earnings OF telephone
com npanies and such corporations as own
ll,lle property and pay loss taxes into
sbe public treasury, This policy WIN
in Time relieve the property tax. salem
taxpayers should be the last to complain
a manifestations Of socialism :,hat
leave esprPlus IN me public treasury
Win which % make improvements that
dpes not come ous oi their jeans. This
soelallg'p ishal pAysoB aebia instead d
heeplngpp new burdens, is acrimein the
sys y 'he aswge political loo,sr aad