South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-10-22
CIVIC QUESTIONS
DEALT WITH BY
MIX IN ADDRESS
Democratic Candidate for
Mayor Pledges His Ability to
Aid the City in Making 1t
Bigger and Better.

vaka roundly cheered Melville w
Mix at the Textile building Tuesday
evening after the latter had enunci-
ated his platform for the office Of
mayor In the coming city election.
Speaking as man to man, Mr.. Mix
pledged himself To render TO the city
of Mishawaka the best Of his ability
and skill il elected mayor. He spoke
OF the chaotic condition Of Misha-
waka at the time or his first election
70 the mayOralty and briefly outlined
the campaign OF city hetterment that
has been carried on during his and
the succeeding democratic admin
stratiOn.
The impression made by the promi-
nent citizen was remarkable. With
no personal ambitions to be satisfied.
no hope for Qualification nor for
pecuniary gain, the impression that
ne was a candidate solely out of a
spirit Of civic duty. was left with the
large audience such as could not have
been instilled by theatrical words or
fanciful pledges.
other speakers we're Lieut. Gov.
William p. O'Neill J. Fred Bingham,
city Clerk, j. l.. Kennedy, City Treas.
urer Joseph Ganser and @. b. Steven
son. Frank +. ChristOph presided
Many women attended the meeting.
The third ward 'All For Mix club
marched TO the building behind the
drum corps. The Wooden company's
band provided music. Mr.. Mix said:
MiX's Statement.
II have been asked many times
why have responded 10 the i'm
portunities Of my many Mishawaka
friends, regardless of party utilization,
TO again interest myself in the home
governmental affairs
ITO give YOU an analysis of all Of
the reasons would consume much
time; the principal reasOn,-the one
that may seem most improbable to
many,-is that at this particular time
2 feel that / can be Of considerable
value TO my home city in assisting to
round out the conditions that have
been occasiOned through her rapid
growth and the consequent demands
for public service that always accom-
pany such development
IF / did not sincerely feel the need
for careful and matured thought and
action at this time-and have a con-
fidence in my ability TO perform an
actual service for my home city at
this time, ] would not be before you
tonight.
"NIishawaka has gone through a
rapid and substantial development
period since 1902. 1t has emerged
from the swaddling clothes period. to
that OF a full grown city, with all of
its consequent demands and ambi-
tons
No Better City.
This country may be searched
from one end TO the other. and a bet
ter city of $4,000 population would be
hard to find. in fact. IL is a frequent
expression that 'NIishawaka is the
biggest little city in the United States
To many of YOU that may not
mean muCh-to me IL means a great
deal. because that could not have
been said ten years ago.
When YOU honOred me with your
choice as chief executive. found
upon entering the oLI,e. about as
chaotic a condition of affairs as could
have existed without decentralization.
Almost At once. we were within the
serious thrOeS of an epidemic of
smallpox which many of YOU Will re-
member. The incidental cases Of the
summer were gradually multiplying
due 10 insanitary conditions. indiffer-
ent quarantine regulations, and other
causes.
When such conditions get beyond
a certain point they run away with
thing
Heroic measures had TO be adopted
when a realization was had of the re-
suits of these conditions. Vigorous
and absolute guarantees We're estah-
lshed in every case. and a general
cleaning up Immediately ordered and
enforced II took nearly $4,000 of
the peoples money 10 clear up this
situation which. il taken at the outset
and dealt with as we now deal with
such cases. would have cost com
paratively nothing.
Almost Isolated.
"our city came very near TO being
isolated at a time when the annual
output OF one of our largest factories
was being Northumberland an ad-
verse city quarantine would have
been fatal 90 every ones interest.
There was much criticism and
complaint at the time from many
sources. but 10 those who realized the
possibilities OF the situation, il was
considered an effective piece of work
which was publicly commended on
many occasions 10y the late NJ. V.
Beiger.
Il mention this rs case where
money must be spent that has not
been provided for. and 20 what ex-
tent taking time by the forelock and
maintaining clean streets and alleys
backwards and vacant lots may save
demands on the public treasury.
When I assumed the duties many
OF the records OF the city We're scat
tered all over town. and in a most
hopeless condition: il took many
mOnths-eVen yeaTs--tO get any idea
at all Of what had been done or what
could be done
The treasurer'S accounts were all
Ia one basket: no record OF depart
ment costs was available: money re-
ceived from taxes licenses. water
works and electric light service, street
improvements. etc, was placed on one
sock so 10 speak. and bills paid as
long as 10 lasted Some debts were
postponed and money was personally
advanced 20 meet other needs.
Bonds Were Overdue.
There were overdue bonds on the
Uaterworks and electric light plant
also school house bonds which wore
then a liability of the city: a judg-
ment Of $4,000 was pending against
the city for its share OF paving the
intersections on Second 81.
The council was cOnVening in