The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1908-04-23
= Y. -. mi - ssast /

a position to make contract favorable
to the city.
Our population in recent years has
grown wonderfully, the majority Of the
homes of the workingmen having been
built west Of the Northwestern railway
tracks.
The increased business Of the railway
has not only increased the danger Of the
deadly grade crossing, but has worked
hardship and serious inconvenience up
on our people and especially upon the
Workingman at a time when he was
hurrying to or returning from his
labor. The blocked crossing also re
tards the fire department and the gener-
al public.
The day of the grade crossing is pass
ling, and Kenosha should not be behind
in progress or in protecting the safety
Of it's citizens.
We must insist upon the enforcement
Of our ordinance against the blocked
crossing, and require the railway com
pany to desist from blocking the cross
ings, especially at the time when the
workingmen are hurrying to their labor,
and [ trust that before my term of Of
fee expires, some steps may be taken
to abolish the grade crossing altogether.
Kenosha following the example Of
other Wisconsin cities has fixed a
salary for the mayor.
This implies the devotion Of time by
the mayor to the business Of the city,
and as [ intend to devote certain hours
Of the day to the business Of the city,
and as there are no accommodations at
the city hall, | would recommend that
a small office be rented on or>near Main
street, so that those having official bust
ness with the mayor may not be reouir-
| ed to trudge to my place of business to
| transact such official business.
Some agitation has arisen in our city
relating to the strict enforcement of
the law with reference to closing sa-
looms on Sunday.
By custom, and not by law, the order
ly Sunday saloon has been sanctioned
and tolerated during certain hours of
the day in Kenosha, and in nearly all
Of the cities in this state.
Moral reforms can not be effected by
law, when not backed by custom and
public opinion.
Law, that is legislation, must depend
on custom for it's enforcement If the
people want the saloons closed on Sun
day, the power is in the people to close
them, when there is a general public
sentiment in support Of the movement.
Every citizen has the right to enjoy
to the full extent the quiet of the Sab
bath, and I would oppose any custom
which would interfere with The right
of the citizen in this respect, but l
would not infringe on the liberty Of
the workingman or others, or deprive
him of his only day of rest and recrea-
ton, and being satisfied that public
opinion would not support rigid enforce
ment of the closing law, I would not
interfere with the quiet orderly Sunday
saloon during reasonable hours, but
shall insist at all times upon the main
tenance Of good order, the suppression
of crime, the protection of property and
the broadcast personal liberty consistent
with all these.
For the preservation of good order
and the suppression Of crime we must
rely upon our police force The police
and fire departments must be kept to
the standard. The members of these
departments must not be permitted
to interpret the civil service rules
as protection against ineficiency,
misconduct, INSTRUMENTATION or neg
hgence to duty. AS the response
bility for the preservation of good
order rests upon the mayor, !, ask and
confidently expect the hearty co-opera-
tion of the Fire and Police Commission
in maintaining high standard Of ef-
fciency in each department..
A menace to the homes of many Of
our citizens is the present location of
the tanks Of the Standard Oil Company.
They are dangerous agency and if the
law will permit, or if pressure can be
brought to bear upon the officials or
agents of the company, I would advo-
| cate the removal OF the oil tanks to the
outskirts of the city. ..a
In my platform I criticised, the con
dition Of our streets. I shall insist up
on our streets and alleys being kept
clean, and appeal to our merchants and
others to display their civic pride by
keeping the alleys abutting on their
prenlis IS free from refuse, waste paper
and ru obish. We demand better results
for the amount of money expended in our
street cleaning department, which [ am
satisfied can be attained by the adoption
OF a system and by competent help.
would also urge supervision of our
garbage wagons and recommend that
action be taken compelling the cover
ing Of garbage as it is hauled through
our streets
I am firmly of the opinion that it is
our duty to protect to the fullest extent
our home labor, local merchants and tax
payers, and recommend that those con
tracing with the city, all things being