The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1914-01-02
JOHNSON IN A 7. !.
TALK TO VOTERS
CONTINUED from Page ~

agdlnsC Cne reducClOn on tne lGnC COO
If anyone don't know, just ask
about it-until he was told by his
managers that it would not be good
politics, when he changed his atti-
tude on it. I am for the lowest pos
sib1e rate that can be made, and the
sooner we could have paid for the
plant the sooner could we have had
the rate cut to the just cost of produc-
ton.
The mining companies say theN
don't care what you do as long as you
bond the city and shove it in debt
for generations. But what will we
do after their leases on these mines
is out and the ore is gone? We will
have to pay these things by straight
tax and it will be so high that you
and I will not be able to own any
homes in this part of the world. We
will do we'll with hole in the ground
and the ore gone, smelted and the
profits sailed in the vaults of east
ern capitalists. I tell you gentlemen
that it is time you look into these
things. We want schools, we need
light and water, and we ought to
have a gas plant, but when we do, be
sure that we provide way to pay
for it first, and not jump with our
eyes shut.
l fought hard to get regular fire
department organized, which was &C.
complished, which made it possible to
reduce the rate on fire insurance at
least rs per cent, and just think what
amount that would be on the present
insurance. The total amount paid in
premiums in Virginia in 1912 was
1921, 1889, and not only that, but as
rule under inadequate fire protection
the fires are generally total loss
where under the present condition
there is very seldom total loss ex-
cept where there may be too great a
distance for the department to go. I
am firmly of the opinion that there
ought to be fire station on the
north side Of the city. l am of the
opinion too that the members of the
police and fire commission ought to
be elected by the voters, and not ap-
pointed. And without any compen-
sation and that would eliminate this
part Of the city government from
politics.
But the bonds have been sold, so
the best thing to do is to pass the
amendments to the charter which
have been prepared by the charter
commission of which I am a member,
and have helped to prepare the
amendments to increase the mayors
contingent fund for the purpose of
securing evidence and in convicting
criminals is good one. And want
to say right here that there is more
criminal acts done in the blind pigs
in our city than all other crimes put
together. I would like to get a
chance at these hellish holes. l
know that it is hard, but when they
know that it is business meant, they
will take notice. There is one gentle
man that is a candidate at this time
for mayor and he don't make any
bones about it that he will get this
kind of votes and he is very much
welcome to them as far as I am con-
cerned.
Now want to close with this upon
your mind that am not put into the
field by any political clique or party I
am not representing any one interest.
My interest is your interest, and your
interets is my interest. AS you
know, have, and I must continue to
make my living off the common peo-
pie of this community. I come recon-
mended by the masses of the citizens
Of this town, and represented BY all
nationalities It makes no difference
to me where a man comes from, or
where he is going, orwhat this political
views are, I feel that I can justly
come to you and ask your support in
this campaign. I have lived in this
city since 1898, over 20 years, and my
reputation in dealing with my fellow
men or my moral standing in our
community is an open book. It is
my desire that you make the most
careful inspection and I wish to say
too, that if it is your decision that I
be not elected, shall abide by your
decision and shall give my helping
hand to the successful candidate for
the promotion and welfare Of our city
and it's citizens, and if you see fit to
support me you shall not be ashamed
of your deed as l feel fully competent
and capable to fill the office for which
l am a candidate, and if elected as
your mayor remember this, that you
shall be the rulers and I will be your
servant as I do not believe in King
rules Of old, (come not near me for
I am the king.) But my motto is,
come near, and the nearer you come
to your officials the better can they
do your bidding and exercise the
authority you have conferred upon