Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-01-31

Mr.. James Brenton, republican c;trr-
didate for mayor, called at Bystander'
office Wednesday, evening to make
u statement i'll regard to his idea =
OF municipal government, and eN~
pressed himself frankly and fully re
garuing the various issues. He Sa iss
he is opposed to municipal ownership
but fnvors municipal control; is op-
posed to civil service rules, but ravors
civil service reform; intends to ats-
force the laws as they stand: wants
county, state and national politics
left out of city campaigns; favor>s
economical and conservative govern
ment; favors' clean streets, inside
parks and continued public improve
mentS.
No Municipal Ownership.
MI Brenton said: 81 do not believe
in municipal ownership and nevex.
have. 1 believe, however, in munici-
pal control, and that municipal cor
porations should pay into the city
treasury u certain per cent of their
gross earnings for their special privi-
leges. They should be allowed the
tax to the city, their operating ex-
penses, n reasonable income on the
cash value OF the plant and a reserve
fund to take care Of the property
that becomes valueless from we;,v
and tear and breahage. They should
be allowed the tax to the city, their
operating expenses, Il reasonable lit
come on the cash value Of tho plaut
and a reserve fund to take care <f
tilc property that becomes vaiueic>
from wear and tear and breakage~
Ihey should be placed under d state
board Of control, and this board
should have the privilege of inspect
ing their books to ascertain what
their earnings are, and to inspect the
plant to learn what it's value is af
any time.
II am in favor Of civil service re-
form, but not in favor OF civil service
rules. | am opposed to anything thaT
"arors OF life tenure in Office. be
lieVe in the special qualifications for
the office Il man desires to fill, hut &
believe every appointive officer should
be reinspected, his record being made
4 part of that inspection, and placed
on the list with other cligiblcs whc
desire the appointment for that same
position.
Enforcement OF Law.
Il am in favor OF the enforcement
Of laws just us they stand, and see no
occasion for specifying any particular
laws to DC enforced
''During this campaign | have stn~-
Iiiously avoided any reference to th<s
congressional fight, because I he
lieve that in city elections, county.
state and national politics and issues
should be left out, and the city con-
test alone considered I have nos
stated, t." even tne best Of mr
friends, for whom | shah vote fox.
congress. Captain Hull has always
been q friend of mine, and at the
same time Judge PrOuty has nlwayg
been a good friend, ana the time Wiia
come when | will have to GO to tht.
poll booths ana east % ballot for one.
Of two friends. There is no reason
why congressional issues should b<
brought into city polit,cs, and ana
very much opposed to their being So.
brought in.
81 am in favor Of n conservative
rconomica! government Of the city So.
far as is consistent with the best
interests Of the taxpayers in general
nm in favor Of equal and just tax
alton, clean streets, inside parks for
tive people and continued public in
proV@nlcnts.
~ am candidate for mayor on my
own vOiitiOn, and am not a canuit!att.
for any faction or clique. and If nom
mated viii cnhcaVnr to be mayor uk
tAc whole city, in thc interests Of atf
'he people.
~ am i'll favor Of Applying the s.
nnIr system to all puntlc otfircrS-
also in favor Of employing home La
Dor and favor union labor in all dc
l'artments Of the city and buying
supplies from union houses