The gold leaf., 1907-04-18
NUGGETS OF SOUND SENSE.
Beware of the Entering Wedge Of So.
ciatism-Pubbc Ownership.

OsWSFe OF the Entering Weo0e OF So
eialism-Publie Ownership.
In recording the defeat OF n munich
pal waterworks scheme In Raleigh, n.
c.. after an educational campaign OF
several months duration. the Evening
Times OF that city gives an analysis OF
municipal ownership which Is we'll
worth the careful study Of all who
have at heart the welfare OF theic
cities. omittins references TO local
conditions. the editorial reads as fol-
lows:
Municipal ownership Is contrary TO
the fundamental doctrines of the Dem.
ocratic party which opposes central
lied parental government and cries out
for the freedom OF individuals. The
function OF the government Is 10 gov.
ern. regulate and execute the laws
made by the people and not 10 engage
in trading and trafiicking for specula-
tive gain. The miserable failure which
the state. backed by all it's power and
public treasury. made in the trading
business while II owned and operated
plank roads, canals and railroads IS a
blatant warning against municipal
ownership.
Municipal ownership is the first step
in socialism, which strangies individual
enterprise. deters the investment OF
capital In our city and retards in
dustriai progress When once started
there is no limit 10 its scope until there
becomes large increase in municipal
debt and taxes and an impairment Of
cages in municipal ownership it runs
the risk of constant suits for damages,
while the state and county are de-
priYed of taxes upon that much prop
erty
while many towns owning water
works publish rates which appear TO be
cheap. they are in many instances de-
ceptive for the reasons that, in addition
to the rates, taxes are levied upon the
people TO pay interest on bonds. which
when added to the rates make the
consumer pay more than the rates
charged by private plants. Many Of
these municipal plants il examined by
experts according to the business rules
| OF examining the affairs of private cor
porations would be proved to be run
ming at loss instead of a profit. as
| claimed.
Under municipal ownership the
chance OF the iaboring man for en-
| ployment depends not upon his merits.
but upon his political influence and
| pull, and IL he is not able to use pub
lie water he still has TO pay taxes for
| the benefit OF the rich man who does.
There Is no more reason for munich
| pal ownership OF water than there is
for butcher shops, bakeries. clothing
| stores drug stores. livery stables, etc,
and under the SYSTEM of municipal gov
ernment In this country II Is fertile
| source OF graft, political corruption and
bossism q catchy slogan for political
| campaign, q slick article with which to
| deceive the people and on which to
| ride into office and machine to per-
| petuate the control Of the boss. 1t has
| been aptIy called that vivid saffron
| gold brick under whose glitteriDg tin
sci turks delusion and n snare.
| Municipal ownership is dead! Long
| live good common business sense!'
1t is IA curious fact that the board or
| aldermen which voted unanimously to
renew the water franchise was elected
| Oh a municipal ownership ticket. Facts
| beat fancies If they have fair chance.