The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-09-10

iutely indispensable to the safety ana
comfort Of the people, without refer
ence at all to the growth and develop
ment of the community, were disre-
garded. This line of conduct was pur-
sued in the promotion Of a spurious
claim of economy in municipal expend-
iture which originated with and was
maintained chiefly through the infiu-
ence of the former city comptroller,
McCardy.
1t will be remembered that-again,
through the influence of Mr.. McCardy-
the last city campaign opened on the
Republican side with denunciation of
the existing city administration for
having so increased local expenditure
as to render an increase in the tax levy
necessary. In other words, that cam
paign was sought to be conducted on
the theory that the Democrats should
be turned out of Office because they
had furnished the necessary school
buildings, and provided for the efficient
protection of the property and persons
Of the citizens. To the good sense and
courage of the editor Of the Pioneer
Press, it is chiefly due that this shame
less course was prevented, and the
truth of the situation brought home to
the Republican voters of the city.
Every intelligent student of our mu-
nicipal concerns has since then joined
in the demand that the law should be
amended to enable the city to make
needed public Improvements and to af-
ford more efficient public service in
all city departments without imposing
the cost on the taxpayer of today.
Mayor Smith gave voice to the demand
in his inaugural address. Members OF
the charter commission have expressed
members of the park, fire and school
boards Of the city have demanded ap-
preparations adequate to the needs of
their several departments. and the
reasonableness of the demand in this
behalf is now practically universally
accepted.
Comptroller Betz has through these
columns expressed his determination to
secure the legislation necessary to en-
able the city to issue bonds to given
amount to meet the cost of needed pub
lie improvements, chiefly the supply Of
necessary school facilities. The Demo-
sustaining his efforts. The success of
the movement must depend, of course,
on the legislative delegation chosen to
represent the people of the city at the
state capitol during the coming win
ter If the people elect proper men,
committed to the execution of the mu-
nicipal policy outlined in the demand
of the mayor and comptroller, the
carried to successful issue. If, on the
other hand, the men chosen are Repub-
Iican politicians Of the caliber repre-
scented by the attitude of the former
Republican city comptroller toward
municipal expenditure, the needed re-
form in our municipal system will be
defeated.
The result Of the forthcoming pri-
maries will determine much as to the
fate Of the reform so much needed. No
voter, no matter what his party affilia-
tons, should vote for any legislative
candidate who is not expressly commit
ted to promoting the legislation which
will give st. Paul the necessary relief.
Whatever may be the views or pur-
poses in this regard of the several sue
cessful candidates for the Republican
nominations for legislative office, the
voters will have the assurance that
the Democratic candidates in every in
stance will sustain the position taken
by Mayor Smith and Comptroller Betz
on this subject.