Evening journal., 1909-08-11
Wednesday, August 4. 1909
WILL BE ON THE DEFENSIVE.


r N some respects from political point of view,
4 it would have been better for the Democrats
had they not won the recent city election. Re-
heved for years OF all responsibility. they were
in position TO criticisc the Republicans and TO
assume the aggressive. They entered the re-
cent city campaign with furious denunciations
of the Republicans, and with great promises of
what the Democrats would do should the people
restore them to power. Probably they gained
many votes with these pleas, but persons who
took the Democrats at their word must GER
tainy be surprised at the course of the Demo
Gratis during the short time that thcyfhave been
in power The Democrats will be subject to
criticism which they would not have had if de
feated at the last city election efor they would
have been enabled TO enter the more important
state campaign without having TO defend
sample OF their own administration.
One-of the frsf things done by the city Demo
Gratis was to pass an ordinance increasing the
salaries of five city employees. This is the only
important bit of legislation that the Democrats
have enacted. 70 increase salaries was OBJ
viousy one of the uppermost thoughts in their
minds
Mayor Spruancc. who had been out of politics
for some years evidently took his party at its
word during the campaign, and SO did Mr.
Banning and Mr. DuRoss The Mayor there
fore, vetoed the ordinances of the Democratic
Council, and clearly set forth his reasons for SO
doing. The Mayor, as we have remarked be-
fore, is a good letter writer lie won his spurs
in that respect during the Alphonse- Castor
stage play with Mr. Whiteman
Council paid no attention to the Mayors OBJ
jections, but in fact was prompt to act contrary
to his wishes. Wheeler the Mayor will have
further conflicts with council time will tell, for
Council has served notice on the Mayer that
when 1t comes to questions OF spending money,
1t will DO it peases regardless of the Mayor.
Council has however, dspleased other friends
who during the campaign pounded the Repub-
lioans for alleged extravaganza. These friends
are gravely disappointed in the action of Coun-
Gil in this matter However, the decision OF
Council 10 pass the ordinances over the head OF
the Mayor furnishes key to what the Demo
Gratis would do should they be placed in control
OF the state on delusive cry OF economy
1t has been amusing to read what purports to
be defense or an excuse for the conduct OF
Council and the criticism of Mayor Spruanct
that such defense implies According to the
apology, there are only certain kinds of increases
in salaries that are justihabe. What is sauce
for the goose is not sauce for the gander, re
versng one of Colonel Handy's favorite expires
sions. The court house officials are paid toe
WELL they say, although the holders of such
nostions get much less than they did in the
Democratic days If the Democrats had thC
power, judging by what they have done as
councilmen they would increase the componsa-
ton of the court house officials.
The lesson learned from this action of Council
may be extended TO the Sussex Levy Court
matter With regard to the Republican man
agement OF the Levy Court, because Repub-
lican newspaper criticised the court, as il should
do If the occasion warrants, we read opinions
that only the good Democrats could manage the
court without criticsm-ust as il the DAYS OF
Democratic mismanagement of that body were
not remembered
In view, therefore, OF the developments in thi:
city, the voters of the state will be skeptical O
any promises the Democrats may make con
cerning reform in the next campaign And th'
Democrats will have to explain why the dreams
OF a glorious and economical administration
under Democratic control have been so rudel,
jolted, even before the Democratic administra
ton is fairly in power