The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-11-13
COMMUNICATIONS

To the Editor of The Spy
The same hue and cry that is usually
raised before each municipal election,
by citizens interested in wise and
economical municipal government is
again heard at this time. The oft re-
peated clamor for the election of men
to municipal office, who shall, them
selves, be men of adequate fitness for
the duties which they are to undertake,
is iterated and reiterated, with no ac-
ton taken to enforce the desires of
these citizens by the securing of proper
candidates for the caucuses. Many of
the men now serving our present city
government in its upper and lower
boards, are candidates for reelection at
the coming caucuses Nov. 10, and it
would be well that those honest voters
who really and earnestly desire the
betterment of municipal affairs, ex-
anime into the merits of each man who
desires a return at this time.
There seems to be an inclination on
the part Of some of these candidates for
reelection, to demand as a right due
them, that recognition and preference
should be given them before all others,
because they have served in the city
government for one term. In the pres
ent crisis of municipal affairs, with an
ever increasing debt, this is the most
GAAcAAAON anu SuptI
which can be brought forward by any
man.
The standard which the voters ought
In this election to begin to apply to
candidates seeking their franchises, is
this:
Has this person shown himself, as
representative of his fellow citizens,
careful in his expenditures Of public
money, competent mentally to carry
out the plans which he may conceive,
and to defend his course before others?
Has he in his business life, shown him
self to be an able, careful, and useful
citizen, or has he been one Of those,
who, having had but little experience
in financial matters themselves, when
the opportunity is afforded them of
dealing freely with the money of the pub
lfc,not regarded public office as a public
trust, but rather, as an opportunity of
comforting benefits upon friends and in
Inmates.
Why should the reputation of our
city be endangered, and the money of
our taxpayers squandered by weak, but
ambitious men? Why should our mu-
nicipal boards be allowed to further
pursue their own sweet way, uninter-
rupted by anything except the valiant
protests of the few who dare to speak?
Yet this is what will happen if some
of the present councilmen and alder
men are returned
Let us have change in this election
and let there be more action by voters
at caucuses to enforce and strengthen
our protest
Our present Board of Aldermen has
seen mt to close the door in the face of
electric car companies which would
bring into our city thousands of dollars
each year. and prove of incalculable
benefit in connecting the city with the
outlying towns. These companies are
formed by men whose every interest is
centered in the enterprises of our city,
and they are refused the official sane
ton of few men who had it in their
power to benefit or injure the city, and
who chose the latter course. Some of
these men are candidates for re-elec-
ton.
Members of our Common Council
have lacked the influence or the abiI-
ity to benefit the constituency who
elected them, by securing a much
needed crosswalk or electric light, but
nave had the temerity to recommend
brick as paving for our Main Street,
although granite is considered INSULT
Gent for the tremendous wear and tear
given to such public thoroughfare
The question the voters have to ask
themselves in regard to these candi-
dates for reelection is:
Does terms experience make such
men better and more efficient, or, are
they themselves, experiments, whose
devices for misapplying the city's
money are paid for at tremendous ex-
pense by the taxpayer"
Let us rouse ourselves and place the
management of the city affairs, as we
would the management of the affairs
of any corporation, in the hands of
those experienced in business, and who,
when they deal with the money of the
people have more to deter them from
folly than the risk of the 81 poll tax.
Let us all attend the coming eau
cuses, and if we never have done so
before examine into the respective
merits of the men who seek party nom
nation, and if such men have already
served term in our city government,
let us be careful to consider what their
course there has been, and to endorse
only such men as represent at least, the
ability, trust-worthiness and efficiency
of the average citizen, and who will act
in the citys affairs with as wise dis
erection and as painstaking care as if
their individual business interests were
involved.
A Voter and Taxpayer.
Worcester, Nov. -, 1901.