Republican farmer., 1919-03-21
KEEP THE RESPONSIBILITY WHERE TIT IS

Y T NDOUBTEDLY the leaders put ~ through the Bridgeport Investigation They were quite confident the disclosures that inquiry into the financial of Bridgeport would destroy the King machine But the destruction of the King machine would that Bridgeport democratic, the scandals would necessarily create state of public mind which would clean out those who have responsible
 This made quite simple pressure upstate politicians While they wished destroy Bridgeport chine, they did not wish Bridgeport city especially when called to realization of the suaion said by leader no less notable than Will N Hays.
 But what about the people of Bridgeport? Extravagance does not vote for president the budget does not visit simply the home democrats There time when the demand for relief also npartsan and citizens shades of political opinion join in cry help.
 From the political standpoint the Bridgeport ought not to desire victory in the municipal election this ouch victory would be useful to the city perhaps but it would be highly injurious to the local democracy ter tactics would be to make the municipal carry the responsibility until the crisis passed The of democratic mayor would merely large portion of the electorate not very well finance would place the blame has been done upon him.
 Mir King always has known very clearly that oganiza on like his only exist patronage. much to give Such an organization will have command of necessary patronage only when has much money spend be obtained only by increases grand and by borrowings the amount that must be obtained y The amount necessary for dead larger year. and it becomes corespondingy possible to get the cash that expended enough are be influenced by patronage in places contracts and on.
 Things desperate when the Apportonment and Taxation met this year. The Grand Ls though every effort made to raise it to $25O00OOO could be there Consequently foundation could be laid for
  chne can hold Its own for two years to come
 The failure of the grand list S 100000 was one reason why the bonding falls short of machine needs another reason was the necessity Of going into debt something like | 100000 to pay current expenses and maturing debt.
 For machines which hold their power by having plenty money to spend, always approaching when they will be overwhelmed by their methods.
 It is imperative that the be kept down. for the tax rate the criterion by which time being, judge the condition of affairs.
 That the tax rate be kept down it is necessary swell property valuations As these valuations in creased.
 rate may be kept down. debt is resorted to- but debt expeden own destiny As the debt the interest charges and payments principle grow, and presently these up money can be raised.
 II The present is 2 mills But the budget contains no allowances for permanent improvements It is not snf cient for expenses neces to take the serial bonds that year and next
 To meet deficit in expenses deficit maturing debt other debt of $I7OOO0O thorized in the bill which is pending Assembly, and which has passed the house
 The debt will bear higher of interest
 This sort of thing cannot forever Debt pay must accumulate in an ever increasing rao In ten years of this of thing debt issued pay seooooooo.
 The democratic candidate for mayor necessarily prom ise to change this condition He will necessarily sound financial methods After he elected sheer matter of good faith he must keep his promise.
 The immediate effect of returning sound meth ods would be jump of six mills the is to say, | t tax rde' when tue ne" democratic regime would have to lay could not be less than 8 mills and might go beyond 30 mills
 For this unacceptable past extravaganza democratic mayor would not be voters accustomed to the ra only evidence of municipal exraVagance economy bindIy strike at the administration which laid the virtuou determination to do business principles not It.
 Should not the who have plunged Bridgeport into it's present difficulties be compelled to owed? The not far off When should moi find those in office who culpabe? democrats will believe that the party should not become soapegoat for did not commit. Il PORT REFERENDUM
 WAS unfortunate that the of the Bridge