Evening journal., 1905-05-27
DEMOCRATS ISSUE
THEIR PLATFORM
Mayor Bird and Other Candi-
dates Sign Municipal
Ownership Document
TEXT OF ADDRESS TO CITIZENS

Mayor Charles ID. Bird and the |
other Democratic candidates for the
city offices. including those for city
Council, held a meeting at the hooms |
of the Young Mems Democratic Club |
last night and adopted platform IN
the form OF an address to "The Citi-
zens Of Wilmington" on the lines of
municipal ownership. The meeting
was called to order by city Chairman
John H. Malloy and Street and Sewer
Director John G. Gray was Invited to
preside.
All Of the nominees signed the docu-
mont with the exception OF Joseph Ban
croft. the candidate for City Council IN
the Seventh ward. who was absent. 1t
was stated that Mr.. Bancroft was out OF
town and could not be reached last night
or today.
The address. which was made public to-
day. reads:
TEXT OF THE ADDRESS.
''ro the Citizens OF wilmington;
"The undersigned, nominees OF She
Democratic party TO be voted for at the
coming city election on Saturday June
3. call your attention to the honest and
fearless conduct Of the city's affairs un-
der the present administration and ask
you whether the Democratic ticket is not
entitled to your vote
"The business OF the city IS being con-
Quoted honestly and openly which we
claim entities the Democratic candidates
to the confidence. respect and votes Of
honorable men Of all parties.
MANY reforms have been accomplished
in the past two years and greater ones
have been prepared for and win be ac-
complished IN the next two years II the
Democratic ticket is successful.
eve recognize that our city Is very in
adequately policed and lighted and both
Of these conditions are a constant menace
to the life, safety and property of its
citizens; the streets are poorly paved and
cleaned. but there is not sufficient revenue
now provided for all these needs.
I'VE declare that the tax on real estate
is already burdensome and that any in
crease IN the tax rate win thereby in
crease the rents and burdens of every
tenant as well as property owner, there
fore. any increase in the tax rate should
be avoided II possible, and the reforms
contemplated by the Democratic party al
, tend 70 the reduction Of the tax rate.
1--WE believe the municipal franchiscl
should no longer be given away but should
at least be made to yield a revenue TO th'
city.
I'VE believe IN municipal ownership ol
control of public utilities. and we shall
II elected, make a beginning in that di
rection by providing municipal plan
TO light the streets parks and publ,
buildings Of this city. which we conhdent
ly believe will result IN an annual saw
1 ing OF the city on thep resent service, OF
Y $4,000 per year.
we challenge the statements OF the Re.
publican press of this city to the con
trary and declare that there is sufficient
r authority In the city charter 20 authoriz,
: the building Of such a plant. We point e
? page 46, Section a of the charter and de.
! clare that no further power or authority
is needed.
1--WE further declare that as soon as tn,
Legislature meets we shal promptly urge
it grant the city further power 10 fur
nish light IN the private places OF business
8 and homes I'm order to relieve al our citi
e zens from the present excessive charges
e for light
1--WE believe that the wires Of the cleo
d trio light. telephone an dtelegraph com
d panies should all be placed under groun,
d and the unsightly poles removed from ou
r streets and the wanton destruction Of ou
d shade trees stopped.
t 1--WE favor cleaner, better paved ani
e more modern streets for this city
1--WE severally and collectively declar
d our fidelity and devotion to the cause
IS above outlined, and if elected win worl
y for their accomplishment"
1t was announced that the platform wa
:. adopted unanimously by the candidates
- The matter has been under consideration
4 for some time by the Democratic leaders
+ but it did not assume definite shape un
l. til the meeting last night