The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-03-03
aFAIR PLAY ANp rHE MAYOR.
Believes He Should be Reelected on His
Record

Editor Times. The time is close at
hand for election Of the city officials.
The greatest interest seems to center
IN the choice OF mayor. The present
incumbent is again a candidate for Office.
An attack has been made in an open
letter upon his administration OF af-
fairs financial principally, couched in
spitefu terms, and winding up with
a sinister sneer.
The purpose of the letter is shown
that the mayor has been guilty Of ex-
trayagance.
Now the opposing parties in this con.
test might continue TO toss municipal
accounts at each other; each making
perfectly correct statements, and yet
seeming to prove by said accounts, that
there had been waste OF the contrary in
the transaction Of last years municipal
business. | believe the more that the
matter is looked into, the more we will
be convinced that the money has been
spent for ssvalue received in the shape
of real estate, implements of various
kinds, machinery, improvements, cur
rent expenses and in many other ways.
| do not believe that any unprecedented
person will allow himself to be 50 be-
fozzled as TO think that MIR. Barclay
has been reckless or wasteful with city
j funds--quite the contrary-as witness
the protest he made against price paid
for a pair OF horses, recently purchas-
| ed, and in which he was certainly back
ed by the general public; also reduction
of expenditures in engineers depart
ment, etc, and on other occasions.
would ask right here, who has i'm
mediate charge or supervision of ex-
penditure2 is it not the finance COM
mitteel Have they thoroughly looked
into all financial mattersG Is there not
talk Of large amount OF rent uncol-
lected, which Is due the eityi Is it right
to try to fasten blame upon the mayor
| for certain expenditures which have
been made, expenditures which he has
fought against but has been outvoted
! time and again? When the inwardness
of the opposition to Mr.. Barclay comes
to light, much Of it will be accounted
for, in the dislike he has incurred
through resolltely cutting off all UNI
necessary expenses as far as was in his
power, including the removal of any
one not required, and his firm determin-
alton to do his duty, and that his fell
| low servants should do the same.
Honestly, / fail to see any signs in
the opposition which would indicate
that general desire for the city's best
interests has led to the same I'M
derstand the lawyers have an adage nc
case-then abuse opposing counsel. 0uI
| friends have taken the hint. do not
say word against the leading opponent
for the mayors Office, he is vel
known and respected citizen. Let us
rise above the smoke Of municipal bat
tie and look sqnarely at the situation
] believe we will all agree with the
maxim, in common with the mayor, that
municipal affairs should be conducted
on the same principles as those of q
mans private business.
The integrity, business acumen anC
energy of Mr.. Barclay are proyerbial
He has given a large amount of time
and work to the duties of his office
Does any one sincerely believe that h,
gave us other than a clean, honest, en-
ergetic administration
Again. he has ia many ways not nee
lessary to mention here, proved himself
a man possessed of a public spirit, ant
that is not so common among us thai
we can afford to put him aside after /
Years experience, when he is so muel
the better qualified for the duties of thu
position.
| With regard to streetsif to hav,
good thoroughfares is not pet scheme
or hobby with each citizen-then i
fought to be. For many years they
were in very bad condition, dreaded b,
townspeople and outsiders. The gooS
work has begun, making a great i'm
lprovement; let it go on. The recon
mendation of the mayor should be car
ried out. Pave up to Granite street
also Depot Square. For reasons givei
above / hope and believe Mr.. Barclay
will be returned for mayor on Tuesda,
next by rousing majority.
FAIR PLAY,