The leader., 1900-11-28
MISUNDERSTANDING


To the Editor OF The Leader:
| faiu would call the Brookhaven
peoples attention to the fact that the
trusts aud monopolies are not confined
to Mark Hanna's set, but are extending
their ravaging influence over our little
city. Mighty oaks from little acorns
grow" and the first petty monopolies
that are just appearing on the surface
are but the harbingers of the greater
evils to follow.
/ have noticed in the reports of the
City Council, published in THE LEAD
Err, that certain individuals seem to
have sinecure in the matter of fur
nishing the requisites of the city of
Brookhaven. l know not who has the
disposition of these purchases, but l
strenuously object to this Wholesale
way of letting out the necessaries to
certain favored persons. Every bust
ness man has an equal right to have a
portion of this public money that is
going to fill the Golfers of special pets.
All citizens pay equal taxes and every
one is entitled to the same considera-
ton. Equal rights to all and special
privileges to none" BY dividing these
purchases among Brookhaven's bust
ness men, everyone would be benefit
ted by it and feel that justice is being
done. But when one or two men have
the furnishing of nearly everything,
no one but themselves land their abet-
tors are benefited by it. Besides, it
lays open an excellent opportunity for
exhorbitant and extortionate prices,
all of which causes the taxpayer to dig
deeper into his pocket to satisfy greed
by the hard earned fruit of his toll.
AS voter | would suggest $50 every
man may have the same advantage
that all the business men so desiring
be given notice of the articles required,
specific mention being made as to the
kind and amount desired, and that
they be required to submit sealed bids
on the lot, the best bid to win. This
would obviate the possibility of paying
more than the actual value of things,
and would eliminate the rank favorit-
ism, now so plainly prevalent.
A man who pays out his hard earned
cash likes to see where it goes. Now
| if money grew on trees and every one
had an orchard, why it would not make
any material difference whether or not
our Great Moguls were to form com,
bine, but l, for one, cannot delude my,
self with this fond assurance.
The proceedings of the City Council
are supposed to be published for the
satisfaction and enlightenment of the
citizens and to show where the reve.
nues 60 Therefore, this slump item
izing" as: "Mr. Blank, 5 - for cash
paid out; :" "Mr. Dot, powerhouse sup
plies S -, and the like is hollow
mockery, a useless waste of printers
ink, an imposition on the peoples con
| fidence How can a man from such
data ascertain the cause for which 1t
was expended
have looked in vain, month by
month, for new name among the list
of city creditors, but it was fruitless
search-the same old coterie, come in
every time for everything in sight
| while those who 6ara not aSpira to
such height of favoriti.m are ex-
pected to quietly submit and simulate
smile of supreme contentment.
There is no earthly reason, l say
why this clique should be given the
entire trade of the city's needs, and
| most vehemently protest against such
a prostitution of public TRUST.
P. j., JR.