Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-09-28
REEVES HIT THEM
Popular Tax Collectors Learned
 and ForceiUl Speech.

r paign. There Is not candidate 0 l the republican ticket who can com l within a hundred miles of it: ] MT Chairman, delegates to the cit : convention, and fellow democrats: : Your committee has notified m , that this convention has nominate [ me as its candidate for collector c taxes on the democratic ticket. You
 selection of me as your candidate fo ] collector is especially gratifying t me coming at this time, because be ing a re-nomination it is substantial ly an expression of the approval o
 my party, of my administration of tn affairs of that office; and for this ex pression of your approval and con
 fidence l sincerely thank you and ac
 cept the nomination.
 The democratic party through it
 representatives has controlled tn,
 executive and administrative offices of this city for the past twenty-ont
 months, and during that period many
 important and difficult problems have
 been presented for solution.
 It is the claim of our party that all
 of these problems have been solved in
 a just, practical, and intelligent man.
 her; that all of the public moneys
 expended, have been economically and
 intelligently disbursed for the best in-
 terest of all of the people in all parts
 of our city; that the pre-eminent doe
 Urine of our party that all men are
 entitled to equal rights and privileges,
 has been conscientiously observed in | the distribution of public improve
 ments; that ill the respective depart
 ments the party has been conserya- tive enough to retain those methods
 and policies which experience has proven to be good, and radical enough to reject and cast aside that which
 is bad and push all necessary and
 effective reforms; that the party has
 been progressive enough to secure to
 our city full measure of those
 transportation extensions which are
 so essential to our complete develop
 ment and prosperity, and obstructive enough to demand square deal and
 justice for all, and to prevent the
 exploitation of our city for private gain.
 The democratic party stands upon its record and says to the people of the city of Waterbury-the represen- tatives of the democratic party have done these things. and by their past history shall you know them.
 The representatives of the republi- can party point to no achievements other than the corporation record of their leading candidate, and this lead CT announces that if elected mayor he will do his duty as he sees it. And how he will see it is problematical to say the least
 What are the issues raised by the republican party?
 The leader on the republican ticket announces that he has no issues, but stands ready to meet any issue the democratic party may see fit to raise. To my mind in this statement tue republican candidate for mayor pays to the democratic party the highest l compliment that could be paid to that | party. The democratic party has held | the reins of government for nearly | two years, and at the expiration of | that period the representative of the republican party states that he can find no issue. The only possible con clusion then is, that no fault can be found with the present democratic administrations; the people must be, satisfied or material issues would have arisen. I believe this to be the exact situation; the people generally are satisfied with the ability, honesty of purpose, and integrity of William E. Thoms's administration.
 His administration has been con- when conservatism was radical when radical ism met the situation; progress ,ive always, as democrats understand progress, and obstructive enough to resist the hue and cry of selfish or and special interests of ,ur city and its people.
 The candidates of the republican party have been nominated for more han two weeks, and during that in- erval of time have been presenting O the people the peculiar merits of he leader on their ticket. Whether he statements which have been made ind the arguments that have been lsed are such as commend themselves Q fair minded men is question that leeds no discussion upon our part.
 Whatever position the opponents If republican policies may take, the of the democratic 1 'arty at least, confident that He vho blackens others does not whiten Iimself," will go before the people vith an entire absence of vitupera- ion and abuse, and in a fair, square. nd manly way. conduct an aggres- i've campaign in support of the prin- iples of our party, and will state hose principles and policies in as lear cut and convincing a manner as possible without the least trace of 1 buse. The attainment of public flee at the sacrifice of ones self re- I pect is principle that has no place { T democratic institutions. '
 As you know I have been collector taxes for the past twenty-one lonths. During that time I have -ied sincerely to do what in my best 7 ldgment was right and proper, and '. } live and act in harmony with the 2 Birit of progress that has pervadetl le entire democratic administration. [ am grateful. and always will he to [ le democratic people of the city of g Waterbury. no matter what the re- } 1lt of this campaign. for the conf l pnce and trust they have repOssd in [ y honesty and integrity. and trust { iat in my administration of the af- Ii lirs of the collectors office this coufi- sura has mt haan nbgYzad and s1,oir |,