Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-03-04
MIR. Benson's Platform.
He read his platform as follows.

lie read ms platform as follows.
/ realize fully the ditncuities and the re-
sponsibultes of commissioning with equal
justice 10 all and with partIality TO none
the afLalrs of great city, win It's Delero-
genous population ana mani1Olo interests,
IN manner that Will insure the greatest
good 10 the greatest number.
40 not believe IL piatItudes and ! shall
not deal in them. 90 MOI believe in sub
terfuge and ! shall not resort TO H.
New and difficult problems arise in the
administration OF municipal affairs when
must be met and the solution found OF at
tempted as they arise. but the funda-
mentals never change.
] stand for the same broad principles as
applied 10 municipal government-CIvlc pur-
ity, aggressive honesty, obedience 10 law
and strict business principles applied 20
municipal arairs-that i stood Tor three
years ago, before the wave which has swept
over the country, submerginE gratters and
cUrruptiOnists, began 10 roll.
! am opposed TO all forms of graft petty
or great no matter what form II may take
or In what shape It may come. Whether
direct rakeOh OF an indirect benefit.
Whether placing men on the city payroll
for political purposes before election OF
keeping unnecessary employees thereafter.
whether showing Partially between those
contracting or dealing with the city or &C
cepting cOurtesies from those holding or
1 seeking special privileges from it. Graft IL
a material as well as moral concern and
affects the pocket as well as the morals Of
/ the community.
/ ] am opposed to turning the sdministra-
/ ton of the city or any department OF IL
| into a political machine for the purpose OF
J placing men in ONCE, either city, state OF
national or for any other purpose whRtso-
ever.
There may be political graft without q
political machine, but there never was
machine OF the kind referred 70 without
graft To use the peoples government, OF
any part Of H. for any purpose other than
that for which IT was intended is in Itself
the most insidious kind Of graft.
] believe that every ofhcer and emplOye
should serve the city with the same fidelity
ne would private employer.
Clean ana Bea utiful CITY.
deem IL an important part of the duty
OF the city 10 be clean and beautiful
believe IN parks and open spaces situated
within easy access of those who need them
A park may be al once q necessity and
as a necessity and located with this idea
. IN view. There are those in every large
F city whose feet never tread Gods green
. carpet except on public grounds. There
other resort for sunshine and wholesome
air. and 10 these the park, 10 MI its mis-
/ sion, must be Of easy access. We have no
/ right 10 build city in Q manner that
I the poorest child has not a chance TO be
brought up amid surroundings that are
| clean and healthfu and moral ] believe
I in building for the future and in the eE-
tablishment Of small parks and play
crowded part Of the city, and future gen
erations should pay their Just proportion
of the cost OF such Improvements. The
question of parks. open space and play
grounds II not much an aesthetic as ar
economic and moral question.
/ believe IN n fair deal and square deal
for every man, woman. child, corporation
and interest This much every one has
right 10 demand as q right. More than
this no one has right 10 expect az a
am irrevocably opposed 10 making
Omaha an easy place for either criminals