The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1913-10-24

Gentlemen OF the COnVe4l1On'- In
appearing before you to accept the
nomination for mayor, I desire first
10 express my sincere gratitude to you
and through you to the Democracy of
Bridgeport for the honor which you
have thus paid me And in acknowl-
edging my appreciation of this honor.
wish, at the same time, to assure
you that fully realize the response
hltities which the office Of mayor car
Eies with it.
During my years of service as city
clerk. had abundant opportunity to
observe the important and responsible
duties which attach to the mayoralty.
Ny experience in municipal affairs
has taught me that the office OF may
or Is not merely a personal honor. but
a most important public trust. For a
man to successfully serve the city as
its chief executive requires long hours
OF devoted work and attention to the
various city problems which are
bound to confront city adninistra-
ton. promise, if elected, to give to
our city the best service OF which I
am capable and I sincerely trust that
at the expiration of my term, shall
have had q sufficient measure Of sue
cess TO merit the approval of my fell
low citizens regardless of party
shall enter upon the work of the Of
fee free OF all pledges and independ-
ent of a promise to single ind1viduaI.
/ shan not be Influenced In the per-
for1nance of the duties Of the office
nl1.So
ambition for q denomination has been
the rock which has shfpwrecked many
municipal ADMINISTRATION and
brought disaster to many good may
ors. BY sole aim will he to advance
the best interests OF the city.
In making the appointments. which
mayor is called upon to fill, shall
not seek to promote the political adj
vantage of any man or group of men
within the party. This nomination
has come to me unsought on my part
and fully realize that for it am in
debted to the entire Democracy Of the
city and shall act accordingly. know
that more or less feeling has been
aroused in the heat of the active
primaries which have Just closed. But
now as a Democrat speaking to Dem.
ocrats, appeal to you one and all to
lay aside any differences which you
may have had and unite behind me
in my efforts to serve the city and I
promise you that your confidence will
not be betrayed L shall approach
the duties OF the office Of r ayor in g.
spirit OF absolute friendlinesA to All
who have business relations with the
city government and with spirit of
hostility toward none. This state
ment Of my attitude applies as well
to the public service corporations as
to other corporations and individuals
what shall ask Of the public service
corporations is that they live up to
their charter obligations to the peo-
pie of the community and their legal
duties and this much shall demand.
Il elected, L promise to be mayor
in every sense that the term implies.
1T viii not be truthfuIIy said Of me
that am only the nominal executive
and that behind me, concealed from
the public view, is a dominating
power Indirectly exercising the func-
ff0ns and prerogat1yes of the mayor.
do not at this time intend to en-
ter into any lengthy discussion of
municipal policies This occasion
does not afford me the time. I de-
sire, however, to dwell in some meas
IRE upon the present financial. condf-
ton of the city. The extravagance
and Ill considerate financial policies
OF the present Republican administra-
ton have created the most important
and difficult problems. which the next
administration will have to solve.
AS you are aware, for several years,
I had the honor of serving the city as
its city clerk and during that period
was also clerk of the Board of Appor-
tionment and Taxation. Since that
time. I have kept in close touch with
the doings of that important board,
as every citizen and Taxpayer ought
to do. and have carefully studied each
Of its annual reports.
The last report for the year 1913
1914 shows that the city's grand list
is, s1o5. .s47.OO.
That the total appropriations made
by the board for the current year
were $2.os2,sz5.3e. That the tax rate
levied on a fully property valuation
basis was 6 $40 mills on each dollar
or $3.50 per thousand of the grand
lisE
find. from such report, that the
appropriations provided for taking
care Of our city debt, including IN
te-est, annual instalIments on princi-
pal and payments to sinking fund
aggregated s1ss.SO1.oo.
This sum does not include any
provision for $2Oo,OOo.OO pavement
notes. $2O.oo0.00 sewer notes. or
$500. 10000 school building notes
since authorized by the Legislature
and approved by the Common Coun-
ell of the city. This additional debt