Evening journal., 1911-04-01
CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR.

M AMES are being suggested Tor mayor OF thls
y ity The municipal election is not far Off 1t
is not too early TO begin serious consideration
of proper persons for the nominations.
The coming municipal election will be the most
important held in Wilmington for many years.
The fact that the new Mayor will have the ap-
pointing of the Public Utilities Commissioners
needs but be mentioned TO show how important
it is that we shall have good candidates The COM
mission should start off right The new Mayor
will be. the man TO say whether the commission
shall make good beginning
The Journal advises the Democrats to watch
closely the names Of those who may be suggested
as candidates. The average Democrat knows the
condition of his party, knows the sentiment that
prevails among its leaders. He knows that for
some years past the leaders have not stood for
progressive legislation1 Had they stood for pro-
gress, Democratic State conventions would have
promulgated far different platforms from what
they have put forward.
The average Democrat will recall that the Demo-
cratic State convention for instance, refused to
approve the income tax amendment 10 the const-
tuition although the national platform Of the party
stands for the income tax Governor Plasted Of
Maine whipped the Democratic Legislators into
line for the income tax amendment me other day
and forced them TO their position Of oppo-
stion which they had assumed but a few hours
previously by showing them that the national party
stood for the income tax.
One Of the chief Democratic leaders of the lower
counties the other day spoke in opposition TO a
Delaware State Utilities Commission. Other
Democratic leaders are doubtless opposed TO a COM
mission of any kind, just as they are opposed TO
direct election Of United States Senator'S The
newspaper that is presumed 10 voice Democratic
opinion in this city has good word for Public
Utilities Commission.
In such a situation therefore the rank and file
Of the Democrats should cautiously weigh the
status the environment and the views of any per-
who may he mentioned for the nomination for
Mayor. We presume that Senator Monaghan and
others who have advocated the Utilities Commits
sion will be their guard.
No candidate for Mayor should be nominated
by either party in this city unless he is openly,
avowedy and enthusiastically in favor Of the idea
Of Public Utilities Commission and pledges him
self 10 make appointments Of commissioners who
will carry out the Public Utilities Commission law
in letter and in spirit looking solely at the best
interests of the people.
The FIRST question that should be asked OF any
man who offers himself a candidate for the
nomination for Mayor should be- What is your
attitude regarding the Public Utilities Commits
sion?
This should not be gum shoe campaign. Ii
should be a campaign of publicity Although the
Democrats may not accept advice from a Repub-
lican newspaper The Journal utters this word of
caution which they may accept or reject as they
please Be on the lookout for an effort to nomi-
nate Democratic candidate for Mayor a man
who will nullify the Public Utilities Commission
law so far ashe can.
If there are any Republicans thinking about be
coming candidate for the Republican nomination
for Mayor who are not in hearty sympathy will
the Public Utilities Commission idea, The Journa
gives them this bit of advice: Don't be a candidate
The Journal believes that word of caution is
all that is necessary At least it should be.