The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-11-23

I well know in both the great political
parties in Worcester today, no othel
man in the Democratic Party to my
! mind can hope to lead us to victory
| (applause.)
"Second-as an element of his
strength as vote getter it might DC
! said that since Worcester was incor-
porated as a city in 184S,no man ever
received as large a number OF votes
for mayor as did Philip j. OConnell
at the last municipal election, Cap
plause.)
"Third-as Democrats, we owe some
| respect to the opinions of the great
| leaders of the party in state ana ma
| tion-No Democratic mayor OF any
city in Massachusetts has had attract
ed to his campaign for election so
much real enthusiastic interest from
party leaders of both state and nation
as did Mr. O'Connell in February last
and I believe the same interest exists
today.
"Fourth-unity is an essential ele-
ment of success in every organization.
From abundant signs and indications
which are apparent to you all, De
lieve that l can fairly say the nomlna-
ton and the consequential election OF
Mr.. O'Connell will do more to weld
the Democratic party of Worcester IN
to one solidifed body than any other
action that we might take here to-
night.
but far greater and much more i'm
portant than party expediency is the
question "Can we commend the can
didacy of Philip ]. O'Connel for the
high office of Mayor of Worcester to
our fellow citizens irrespective OF par
ty utilization as a candidacy worthy Oh
their support because of purely pub
lie reasons?"
In answer to this question, 1 can
unreservedly and unhesitatingly say
that my experience as member OF
the City Council during the present
year justifies me in saying, we can,
for these reasons.
"First-The city of Worcester, in
some respects like other great corpo-
ations, is a business concern. In the
management of great business enter
prises preference is always given 10
experienced servants rather than to
untried ones. Mr.. O'Connell has had
five years experience as member of
the CITY Council and nearly one year
as mayor and how has he conducted
the business affairs of the city? Under
the present charter great powers are
given to the mayor. We are now about
closing the financial year and as a re-
suit of his prudence and judgment the
record SHOWS Llldl lOl tic III - l4AAiC
since 1894, there is a decrease in the
gross indebtedness of the city, Gap
plause.)
"The record also shows that the net
debt Of the city is substantially small
er today than it was one year ago.
and this Notwithstanding the fact that
the tax rate has not been increased
one penny. In this connection it might
be said the present mayor did not have
-. 10 draw from that
at the disposal of his predecessor, Mr..
Dodge.
"Second-his financial administration
has been endorsed by a city govern
ment. a majority of whom was at
tached to the party of his political op-
ponents-and as proof of this state
ment / cite the fact that every re-
commentator that he has made upon
financial questions has been unani-
mously accepted by both branches Of
the City Council (applause).
understanding his high office as
public trust, he has safeguarded
every interest of the people in their
relations with the public service cor
porations doing business in the city OF
worcester. The street railway COM
panies were obliged to pay their old
outstanding accounts due to the city
land these companies have not only
been ODnged TO pave idi &c POI etOi9 -
streets with substantial and durable
paving at their own expense, but 1t
may be said with truth they have been
held to the very letter of the law in the
construction and operation OF their
| franchises. The Electric Light Com
penv has been obliged to do some
measure Of justice to the people and
the telephone company, no later ago
than this very afternoon, were told
ifbat the form Of the franchise granted
IN them by the Board Of Aldermen was
an encroachment upon public rights.
s'Fourth-the public press is the pub