The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-11-01
STIRRING ADDRESS IN WHICH
 TAX EQUALIZATION IS URGED
Harry Franklin Porter Makes Strong Speech to Voters Tn
 - Warner HallLThe Issues Intelligently Discussed

The following stirring discussion of campaign issues was delivered by liar ry Porter at the rally in Eagles Hall, Saturday evening.
 Friends: feIlowcitizens of Bridgeport: The very thing I want to take up to- night is the article in an evening pa- per headed Mouths wide open for Piums, Porter. ct all to get places which stated in effect that if Buck ingham was elected I was to be ap- pointed to a leading position.
 That state gentlemen. I pronounce an unqualified fabrication with no ba- sis of truth whatsoever. and can only regard it as inspired by those on the opposing side who throughout this campaign have stopped short of no foul measure to besmirch the character and impugn the motive of Edward T. Buckingham. and who now would fm- peach my integrity by questioning my sincerity of purpose in coming to the support of Edward T. Buckingham
 Gentlemen, have said 1t before. and I say 1t again, that I am in this cam paign wholly and solely because am enough interested in the welfare of this my native city to desire to see her destiny entrusted to the guidance of those whom I have every good req son to believe are best qualified Flat ly, positively. finally, have absolute ly no uIterior motive, and I entertain nothing but scorn for those who could insinuate such
 And, as to the matter of plums: A public office is anything but plum. except to one who goes to sleep on the honors of the job and the greedy grafter. To such perhaps 1t may be a plum, and a fat, juicy fellow. we'll stuffed by get-rich-quick-at-pub pense schemers. who stop short at no measure to secure legislation and court Judgment suitable to their own parti- cular, selfish, immediate interests
 It is unfortunate that a newspaper, whose chief and highest function in the community is to enlighten and ed- fly its readers. should use even thoushtIessly. such an impression, flor 1t gives people. the wrong idea alto gether about politics and public ser vice As a matter of fact, l repeat a public office is anything but plum There is no more difficult task A publfc servant has the run, the gaunt- let of mingled dictation and abuse on everyside and endeavor, as best he can. to please everybody, a self-eyident impossibility. Try as best he may, ana he as able as he may. he cannot help displease and offend an individual here and an interest there
 Therefore I say. when a manitestly, in fact tried and proved, clean, young man. of ability and attainments' comes before you. seeking political prefer ence, he must needs have the good stun in him. It goes without gain say that if honest and earnest, he can not be a faintheart, tenderTOOt, or Al ieIly-fisch. And either he is gen. nine through and through or he is an all fired clever rascal. It is either one thing or the other
 Gentlemen. the best possible evidence you can have that Edward T. Buck inRham Is genuine. and that when he saws he stands absolutely on his own bottom he means it positively. defin- flely finally is that the interests are leaving no stone unturned to beat him They know. gentleman. that when Ed ward T. Buckingham says that he is going to enforce the law, and make dishonest. tax-shirl<ing corporations toe the mark. he means it, and they therefore fear him like they do the day of judgment. That, gentlemen, is the best possible proof that they cred if him in their own hearts with back bone that won't wilt
 Just a word about this question of equalization. Here is the truth of the situation. Take the Gas Co, for eN- ample The Farmer printed one night recently a list of leading cities giving the population and assessment of the gas companies. I quote in round num- Der one comparison. Take Spring field and Bridgeport. Springfield is about x the size of Bridgeport. Its gas company Is assessed on valua- ton of over s2. O00. 900. The Bridgeport Gas Co. pays on a valuation of s600.- GOO. To get a city that compares with Rrfdgeport you have to go down the as-. = = --ss-- >-s 1n mn -~~Esi~ vou may