Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-08-10
BAD SIDEWALKS.
Appropriation Practically Used Up,
 But Work Not Done.


 practically used up and yet a great many walks need attention. If the special appropriation made the other day for new streets had been asked to continue work on the walks it would have been wiser move. There is no pressing demand for some of these new streets, except on the part of land speculators, who want their property developed at the expense of the pub lie, but it is quite different with the sidewalks. Everybody uses tine side walks and they should be put in first class condition before the snow flies. If the board of public works doesn't think this can be done with the funds now to the credit of that appropria- tion, it should get it's eye upon some transfers that can be turned to that account, and if not special apprOpri- ation would be in order. It is mys. tely why business administration would continue to use money on work that can stand without causing any public inconvenience while so many sidewalks are in such wretched cOndl- tion.
 Some of the local republicans are very much annoyed over the disclos. ures regarding the reckless expendi. ture of money by the last session of the general assembly. and one of them has taken it to heart so badly that he declares he'll never vote another re- publican ticket and says he is not the only one in his party that has made up his mind to assist in teaching the nj o V( cot a expects to see the democrats win the coming city election by majority of at least 2.O00 votes. that is. provided they nominate good ticket. Re marks of this kind are quite frequent, but just what they will amount to no. body can tell until after the smoke of the battle clears away and vanquished and victors get through counting their dead. These republicans who are talk ing that way are all right provided they don't set up the claim that in or der to be considered a good candidate the democratic nominees must be two thirds republican and more than that if necessary. That's the way they look at things fin the city government. A democrat that goes with the republicans is put down as an intelligent man, no matter how little he knows about his duties. while on the other hand dem ocrat well equipped to serve the pub lie is spoken of as disturber when he says word or two in opposition to the wishes of the people who hold the community in the hollow of their hands, simply because the public sits in the background and contents itself with anything its taskmakers decide to do. This thing won't last always. Republicans as we'll as democrats can be made sensible of their interests when their pockets are touched and a very large number of them have had their eyes opened during the past two years and think 1t time to call halt The character of some of the men who have registered as democrats this year means something higher and nobler than the elevation of any par ticular men or party. Most citizens are interested in politics not for what there is in it for themselves or their immediate friends. but rather on ac- count of what it means to themselves
 
 of that class become dissatisfied men in public places that have not been doing right have reason to suspect that their berths will soon be in charge of others. Nothing vicious Is alleged against the present city ad- ministration nor anybody connected with it. but almost everybody you meet outside the politicians and those who are under their hypnotic power. makes no bones of stating that there are too much politics in it and as re- suit the taxpayers and everybody else feel it and owe 1t to themselves to apply the remedy. The boards had large appropriations. but the public has a notion that the money has not been spent judiciously. If the ad- ministration can disabnse those who think % of this idea. it may he con tinued for two years more: if not it will have to step down and out. This thing of sticking to your own party. right or wrong. Is beginning to hs re- earied as evidence of weakness rath- CT than strength of character. and the earlier everybody takes the more practical view of such questions and makes up his mind to consider his own interests first and the politicians last. tbe better for the whole community in general, republicans as we'll as others-
 Too Much for Him
 ch.-r uteh xousd h.rn r.a uro~k