The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-04-11
NUGGETS OF SOUND SENSE.
Beware of the Entering Wedge of So
eialism-Pubhc Ownership.

eialism-Puoiic Ownership.
In recording the defeat of a munich
PAL wa.erwOrks scheme in Ralei.h, Y.
c., after an educational campaign of
several months duration. the Evening
Times of that city gives an analyst; of
municipal ownership which is well
worth the careful study of all VIII,
have at heart the welfare OF thei,
cities. Omitting references to local
conditions, the editorial reads as fol
lows:
municipal ownership is contrary
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 il to gov
ern. regulate and execute the laws
made by the people and not to engage
in trading and trafficking for specula-
tive gain. The miserable failure which
the state, backed by all its power and
public treasury, made in the trading
business while 1t owned and operated
plank roads, canals and railroads is Il
blatant warning against municipal
ownership.
Municipal ownership is the first step
in socialism. which strangles individual
enterprise. deters the Investment of
capital in our city and retards in
dustrial progress. When once started
there is 10 limit to its scope until there
becomes a large increase in municipal
debt and taxes and an impairment of
municipal credit. When city en-
cages in municipal ownership it runs
the risk of constant suits for damages,
while the state and county are de
priyca Of taxes upon that much prop
CITY.
while many towns owning waite"
work; publish rates which appear to be
choap. thpy Gre IN many instances de-
C2p.iyr for tho reasons that. in addition
10 til" 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 If examined by
experts according to the business rules
Of examining the affairs of private cor
poratiOns would be proved to be run
ming ut a loss instead Of a profit, as
claimed.
Under municipal ownership the
chance OF the laboring 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 munici-
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
crnmcht in this country it is a fertile
source of graft. political corruption and
boSSisn. catchy slogan for q political
campaign. slick article with which to
deceive the people and on which to
rid into Office ana a machine to PERI
pptuate the control of the boss. 1t has
been aptly called that vivid saffron
gold brick under whose glittering tin
sci turks Il delusion and a snare.
"Municipal ownership is dead! Long
live good common business sense!'
Ii is Il curious fact that the board Of
aldermen which voted unanimously to
renew the water franchise was elected
on municipal ownership ticket. Facts
heat fancies if they have a fair chance