The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1907-08-07
NUGGETS OF SOUND SENSE.
Beware of the Entering Wedge Of So
cialism--PublIc Ownership.

cialism-Pubic Ownership.
In recording the defeat of a 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 well
worth the careful study of all who
have at heart the welfare Of their
cities. Omitting 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 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 10y all its power and
public treasury, made in the trading
business while 1t owned and operated
plank roads, canals and railroads is
blatant warning against municipal
ownership.
Municipal ownership is the first step
in socialism. which strangles individual
enterprise. deters the investment Of
capital I'm our city and retards in
dustrial progress. When once started
there is no limit TO its scope until there
becomes a large Increase in municipal
debt and taxes and an impairment Of
municipal credit. When a city en-
cages in municipal ownership it runs
the risk of constant suits for damages,
while the state and county are de-
prived 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. i'm 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 if examined by
experts according To the business rules
of examining the affairs of private cor
porations would be proved TO be run
ming at a loss instead of a profit, as
claimed.
Under municipal ownership tie
chance Of the laboying man for en-
ployment depends not upon his merits
but upon his political influence AMI
pull. and If he is not able 10 use pub
lie water he still has 10 pay taxrs TO"
the benefit Of the rich man who does.
There is no more reason for mun.ci-
pal ownership Of water than there is
for butcher shops. bakeries. clo.liur
stores. drug stores. livery stables. ctc-
and under the system of municipal gov.
ernment i'm this country ii is u fertile
source of graft. political corruption ard
boSsism, a catchy slogan for a political
campaign. slick article with which 10
deceive the people and on which T.
ride into Office and machine to PEI
petuate the control of the boss. II has
been aptly called that vivid saffron
gold brick under whose glttering tin
sci turks Il delusion and snare
Municipal ownership is dead. Long
live good common business sense
1t is curious fact that the board OF
aldermen which voted unanimously u
renew the water franchise was elected
on a municipal ownership ticket Fac
beat fancies if they have fair chance