The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-10-04
Campaign Issues {

Perhaps no municipal campaign in Wa terbury during the history of the city has been conducted on as low level as the present one. Almost without exception, the Republican plan of attack has been one of personalities. Such campaign is gen. orally conceded to be confession of weak ness, as it is in this particular case. The real underlying motive is, of course, that the Republicans want the jobs that the democrats now hold. We do not blame them for that, but the real question for the average voter to decide is how such change would affect the welfare of the city. The real purpose and end to be at- tained by city administration is to give it's people as much comfort, pleasure and security at as low cost as are reasonably possible. The people want, and are en- titled to, good park facilities and comforts, good schools, police and fire department that is efficient and keeps the risk of fire and crime down to it's lowest reasonable level, streets, water service and sewers that are modern and well kept up, in short, all the comforts and conveniences of a modern city and not one of hundred, or even fifty, years ago.
 We have had all these things under the Hayes administration. The real issue is whether the republican candidates could or would do it any better. Criticism of the fire department is foolish. It is onto its job and if there is fire at your house, you will get quick and efficient service. Superintendent Mclean is good man for the position and handles it well. Traffic is skillfully taken care of and serious crime is very infrequent. Perhaps some people may think that the police should devote more of their time to stop betting, playing cards for prizes and buying sweep stake tickets and less in handling the more serious problems of protection to life and property. We do not think that the ma jority of our people agree with them. At any rate, we don't.
 The streets, sewers and sidewalks are kept in good shape. Just notice the im- provement in our streets in the last few years. Look at East Main street, if you want to. Perhaps the construction and maintenance of our streets does cost more than in New Haven or Hartford. We can not help that. We have hilly, rocky city and everybody knows that such city costs more to maintain.
 Our tax rate and debt show constant decrease during the Hayes administration. The best that could be done has been done, under difficult conditions. Perhaps ex- pense could be cut down little by paying starvation wages and throwing lot of people out of work and by making the others work longer hours. Do we want that? Do we want the school and park facilities cut down? No, we don't. Of course, they cost lot of money, but we need them and want them.
 What then is the issue? Personalities only. The Republicans want the jobs and will descend to any level of personal abuse to get them. They haven't any construc- tive program, or. any concrete suggestions. The republican candidates who used to run for mayor years ago didn't conduct that kind of campaign. You can't imagine John Elton doing it. He isn't that kind of man. No, the real issue is that the republicans want the jobs and will descend to any level to get them.
 A record breaking democratic majority will discourage that kind of thing. Let's have it.