The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1857-12-19
SCitV Contracts"

Ameilrah Is oNt IN auuthtt article III
yesterdays Argus i'll relation To City
Contracts i'll which he promises to give
"a history of the damnable deeds which
have been enacted during the last two
years. He pitches into the Contractor
for the Aims House"very literally" about
the language that gentleman used to-
wards him in the Day Book of Monday
last. and promises if he does not make a
reiractlon in proper time and place he
will bring him up ito taw"
As this war of words is a kind of
fun that delights the readers of newspa-
pers, generally. we can't say that we
have any great objection to it : though
We should serious Y object to its result
ting in bloodshed on the use of gunpow-
der in any shape OF form. We hope it
wont come to that
But as the matter of city Contracts has
had such shaking up by these antid-
BILE gentlemen. who knows but what the
''dear people may not be benefited by
it? Eventually it may be the means OF
bringing to light some hidden mysteries.
by which the dear duped people may
see wherein they have not looked out
sharp enough upon the actions of their
servants. Who knows?
At all events, it will be instrumental
in awaking public attention to the exis
lance OF Il fact which has heretofore been
thought but little of: though viewed in its
proper light it will be found of the ut
most Importance to a wholesome state of
society in our midst.
Now, so far as the quarrel between
''American'' and the contractor for the
Aims House is concerned. we have Moth
ing to do with it, whatever Let those
gentleman settle it themselves. But as a
Sciltiilti W WAUGH oAel lilt 'toJics ihe'i-
est. we feel called upon to cry aloud tor
what is SO much needed by this commu-
nity-a law To prohibit members of City
Councils from having any part, lot or
connection whatever with contracts for
the city. Let the present Council enact
such law at once, and let them apply
the test TO all OF its members, and those
who cannot 'slace the music" let them
hand in their resignation, or give up their
connection with such contracts as they
may be interested in. We are entirely
satisfied that such is the wish and desire
of the lax payers Of this city, and We see
no reason why such course should not
be Instantly entered into, without wait
ing to bring it up before the people at the
next election of the Councils Face the
music gentleman OF your coystituento
may suspect that you have all got star on
your heels 1t would be very natural
conclusion for them to come to surely
although they might do you injustice by
it, Men are supposed to accept such
offices from the hands of the people, for
the honor Of the thing; and viewing the
matter IN that light, there isMo law. one
could suppose, however binding IN its ma
turc-whcn framed for the protection OF
the rity'1 intcrest--thdt gentlemen COM
posing the Councils could not cheerful
lv sanction-if their hands were clean.
\ law framed 81 as to prohibit mem
bcrs Of the Councils from participating i'll
City Contracts would have a strong ten
dcncy to stop such squabbes as is now
going ON through the newspaper press of
the City, if it did not have the effect Of
turning the attention of members of the
Councils to watching 'outsiders," as they
would bctherebv relieved, in measure.
from the necessity of watching each 9TH
er. The law, the law-give the people
the laW-gentlemen Of the Councils. and
thereby immortaise yourselves.
For the DuU Book,