The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-11

given out for publication last night by
Joseph T. Tanning. 1t is as follows:
Hon. Joseph T. Tanning,
Chairman Democratic City Central Com
mittee.
Dear Sir-I hereby acknowledge receipt
of your communication giving me official
notice of my nomination as the candidate
of the Democratic party for the office of
mayor of the city of Indianapolis, to be
voted for at the city election to be held
Oct S. 1901.
"In asking the people of the city for their
suffrage, L now declare that 1 indorse the
excellent administrations of Mayor Tag
CART, and if elected, shall endeavor to con-
tinue the management of the affairs of the
city along the lines that have in the past
few years developed Indianapolis into a
progressive city, noted throughout the
United States for its beautiful streets and
economical government. An impartial in
vestigation by the National Bureau of
Labor, under Carroll d. Wright, has proven
that Indianapolis is the most economically
governed of the larger cities of the United
States
1.-The citizens have a right to ask that a
candidate for office shall declare the policy
to be pursued by him in the administration
of their affairs, if elected, yet ii Is easy
vidual is always most profuse in them, SO
that, after all, a citizen is compeIred 10
make up his mind from the general char
acter of the men to be voted for as to
which will best serve the interests OF the
people If elected. -.
II have no political ambition to serve If
elected, nor a political following that will
require me to grant them special favors
or privileges, but shall be wholly free to
act for the best interests Of the people
BUSINESS PRINCIPLES.
eff elected, l pledge that in the admins
tration of the city's affairs, business prin-
ciples shall be applied in every depart
ment All concerns having franchise rights
will be required to comply with the terms
upon which the same were granted, and
in making of new contracts and the letting
of franchises, the best possible terms that
open and fair competition can obtain will
be required, to the end that the rights of
the city and the people shall at all times
be fully protected.
"As to track elevation the present and
former administrations have worked for
il in harmony with the Track Elevation
Commission of the Commercial Club. The
ordinance passed was prepared and intro
sion, and all subsequent steps taken In
harmony with its views. While j am OF
opinion that track elevation IS the best
method of removing all dangers OF rail-
seen hit to declare that the city does not
possess power to render its street cross
ings safe by the elevation OF railroad
tracks. If the Supreme Court, where the
case involving the validity of the present
ordnance is now pending. affirms the de-
cisions of the lower court, then, for the
immediate and temporary relief OF the
people, l favor taking steps to secure the
placing of watchmen at crossings, and the
construction of gates, electrical alarm bells
and other modern devices and arrange
ments so that the dangers of such cross
ings may. as far as possible, be removed.
1.-The question of granting franchises to
the interurban electric railway companies
should receive early consideration, in order
that the terms upon which they are to use
the streets of the city may be clearly de-
fined and settled. And on account or the
great benefits the construction of these
lines will bring to the city, every encour-
agement consistent with the welfare and
convenience of our own citizens should be
extended to them. The outrageous manner
I'm which the present Republican City Coun-
Gil has held up this matter deserves the
condemnation of every citizen. The action
of the Republican majority has been such
as to make it useless to attempt settle
ment of the matter until new Council Is
elected.
AGAINST GAS METERS.
1.-THE Democratic party of this city has
always stood for a strict compliance with
the provisions of the present ordinance re-
lating to the use of natural gas for light
and fuel. and has protected the people from
any change whereby they could be com
PEELED to gas by meter measurement
If elected 1 shall oppose any change looking
to the introduction of gas meters or any at
tempt TO give to the gas companies power
to require the consumer TO take gas by
meter measurement.
II am in favor of the construction OF the
Fal-creek boulevard and the continuance
of the present policy in regard TO the de
velOpment and Improvement of our park
system Democratic administrations in
augurated the park system and developed
il to its present stage, in the face or the
bitter criticism and unrelenting opposition
of the Republican nominee for mayor.
adhere to the principle that it is the duty OF
the city government to provide parks fol
the recreation of the masses of the people.
THE outrageous manner in which the Re
publican candidate and his followers have
sought to injure the city's credit by theil
malicious statements in dealing with the
questions relating to the city's low tax levy
cannot be too severely condemned. The
present Republican majority in the City
Council. dominated by his Influence, has
sought in every way TO injure the city by
embarrassing the present administration in
stead of exercising it's power for the city:
welfare. No embarrassment whatever
would have followed the low tax levy II
the Council had performed it's duty in the
levy of special taxes upon corporate inter
ests enjoying special privileges in the city
While the tax levy should at all times bt
I
as much possible of the cityss expense
should be met by revenues derived from
special taxes authorized either by statute
or city ordinance. but in the levy of specia
taxes the rate thereof should not be greater
| than is justified by the peculiar: privilege:
| enjoyed by the concerns thus taxed. 4
| low tax levy is always in the interest of the
people because il requires economy in th'
| administration of affairs. while a high tai
| levy breeds extravaganza and constan
| increase in the burdens of taxation
ISSUANCE OF BONDS.
THE great Improvement accomplished II
the past few years in the police depart
ment, fire department, city hospital, tn
construction of bridges. the purchase ant
| development of public parks could only b.
/ made by the issue and sale Of municipa
bonds. All moneys derived from the sal
of bonds, together with many thousands o
| dollars from the general revenues Of tn
/ city have been invested in these permanen
| improvements. and for every dollar thu
! expended the city received full value in re
/ turn and the property so purchased and i'm
provements thus made are new wortl
many thousands of dollars more than tn
amount paid for them. The welfare of tn
/ CITY demands a continuance of the polio
/ of improvements in those various depart
ments
The rights and obligations OF propert-
owners abutting upon streets proposed I,
| be improved are fully prescribed by tn
| ct a e Id IL