The Mayoral Candidate and the Tax Collector
Candidate John Leary addresses rumors that he would allow property owners to dodge street assessments if elected.
A canvass is being made against me on the ground that should I be elected mayor I would permit the city to evacuate the 'grade indebtedness' without enforcing the collection of the amounts due by the respective property owners. This canvass is simply absurd, inasmuch as the Mayor has no power to sign warrants for any purpose except such as are created by an ordinance emanating from the City Council. My idea in relation to the collection of these delinquent taxes is to have the parties interested agree to a test case to be immediately argued before Judge Greene, so that a decision be had with the least possible delay. Finally, should such an ordinance by any possibility pass the Council, I will, if Mayor, veto it beyond a doubt.
“This canvass is simply absurd, inasmuch as the Mayor has no power to sign warrants for any purpose except such as are created by an ordinance.”
Candidates being accused of being 'soft' on enforcement of debt or taxation is a common campaign trope. Leary’s insistence on legal rigor mirrors the modern candidate's need to appear fiscally disciplined.
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