The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1907-04-26
DEMOCRATS OPEN THE CITY CAMPAIGN

night for an arbitration clause
plank in the democratic platform.
Another victory was scored in the
incorporation of plank pledging
the party to the construction of a
municipal lighting plant.
This was supplemented by pro-
vision, new in this city, by which
the democrats promise to demand
payment for future franchises, the
price to be based on what is con-
sidered just to the city: and to
guarantee all proper safeguards
with such franchises.
And a further strong point was
made with labor interests in Mayor
Daggett's emphatic declaration that
the policy of doing all city work
possible by day labor would be ad-
hered to in the future as In the
past if he Is continued in office.
The choice of a city chairman last
night was compromise, but In
that the democrats were lucky, the
choice falling on e. o. Conner. The
choice of the labor wing was fixed
on E. A. Cooney, and the city hall
is believed to have favored the re-
nomination of Alex Winston. But
in the conferences prior to the
meeting Mr.. Cooney stepped out
Of the way, the labor planks went
into the platform and the program
went through without a hitch.
Bruce Blake was elected secretary
and the appointment of commit
tee of 5 to pass on the platform to
be adopted completed the routine
business of the session.
Democratic success with the new
water works extension was the key
note of the campaign opened. Chair
man Winston introduced the sub
jected with a preliminary orator.
cal skirmish which was supplement.
ed with later addresses by Mayor
Daggett and City Treasurer Egg
gleston.
While the platform committee
was celebrating several of the
speakers listed delivered their adj
dresses. The Elks quartette rem.
dered selections by way Of variety
that were highly appreciated. One
of their best selections carried the
line Days OF yore that come nc
more" but no one seemed to attach
any significance to that.
The fact that the city was drying
up for want of water when the
democratic administration came in
power, and that so bountiful a sup
ply had been provided that no in
spectors would be needed this
summer, was point on which the
| speakers dwelt most forcibly.
The employment of day labor or
all city work by the present admin
| istration was another proposition
on which the democrats baseC
strong claims for justification
Mayor Daggett said the plan haC
worked so well in the past that Il
would be continued in the future i
the party is retained in power He
stated that every bit of materia
used by the city that could be pro
duced in Spokane was purchased
here and ali outside orders placed
through local firms.
And then the mayor took a mod
est shot at the chamber of com
merce by intimating that it is one
thing to meet for nice little
lunch at the Silver Grill and dis
cuss home industry theories and an
other to put the home patronage
practice into actual operation, a:
he said the administration hat
done. The mayor recounted the
party's adherence to the platform
upon which he was elected, anC
| pointed out that in the expenditur,
Of more than 100000 on the new
works, even the Spokesman-Reviev
had been unable to find the slight
est evidence of graft.
In regard to bridges, he stated
that but for stubborn and per
sistent opposition in the council
the city would now be partly sup
piled with new bridges in place o.
the structures daily in danger Of
| falling down.
The mayor reiterated that he
| had no apologies nor explanations