The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-04-01
The Election.


disposition on the part of large number of
our best citizens to neglect going to the |
polls, and intrust the selection of their OIL
GERS to others who are far less interested in
securing an economical administration of
the township and city affairs, than in re-
warding incompetent favorites and laying
the foundation for future political triumphs.
1t is not too much to say that large part
of our present political and financial trouble
is due, in great measure, to the neg
lect of the property holders and business
men to look after the local elections. Those
who have paid any attention to local cleo
tons, in years past, cannot have failed to
observe that one portion of the community
is always on hand. They never are too
busy " to devote election day to their coun-
try" The secret of their patriotism is easily
discovered. They are stimulated to rally
at the polls by INSCRIPTIONS and designing
men, who, by the activity and reliability of
this body-guard, and the indifference and
carelessness of the business men and me-
chanics-gradually get control of all the To-
cal Offices, in which they place their tools
these in turn, constitute a drilled army of
merceuaries to advance the political aspira-
lions and fortunes of their favorite leaders.
The very condition of things induced
through their neglect, is not unfrequently
urged by men for continuing in their sui
cidal policy of doing nothing ats no
use" say they; "this or that politician has
got the wires so arranged that it is impos-
possible to defeat him, and it is not worth
while to waste time in going to the polls.'
OF course, the evils they predict are newt
able when they neglect the use of the
means to prevent them.
These reflections naturally arise when we
remember that this is the day for the an
nual city and township election. Ostensi-
bly,, party is lost sight of in the contest to-
day. There are several men who have for
merly acted with each otthe different political
organizations, who are welI-6tted for the
positions to which they aspire; and we need
hardly add that there are others-who are
wholly incOmpetent-seeking the same
positions. 1t is unnecessary for US to make
personal determinations. The voters should
do that for themselves. The great MAORI
ty of candidates are known to most of the
citizens, and if the officers selected for the
ensuing year are incompetent or dis
honest, we feel no hesitation in saying in
advance, it will be owing to the indifer-
ence of the mechanics and business men.
Our city is now in a fair way to recover
from her financial embarrassments A few
years of careful management and rigid econ
omy on the part of her officials will mate
rally decrease the present high rate of taxes,
aud she will make rapid strides in develop
ing her resources and augmenting her
wealth. But let the voters place incompe-
tent men on the Council board for one year,
and they may destroy the prosperity of their
city forever. Her credit is now being es-
tablished Incompetent CounciImen could
ruin it hOpelessly in less than a year. 1t is
only by shrewd TACT sound Judgment, and
prudent foresight. in the administration of
affairs that we can expect a reduction of our
tiles in men who are only celebrated for
political cunning and reckless indifference
to every interest but their own. The
present Councilmen, so far as we know
have discharged their duties faithfully and
with considerable ability, for which they
are entitled to no little credit. It is a
thankless office-that of Councilmau-and
more productive of curses than cash.
When we remember how impossible it is
that all should be pleased by every act of
the Council, it is certainly largely to the
credit of the last Board that the dissatisfac-
ton as to their course is confined to so very
few. Some of the old Councilmen are can
didates for reelection. We have serious
doubts if their constituents can do better
than to retain them in their present posi-
tons
Another vital matter, that needs looking
after, is the continuance of the schools, It
Is pretty we'll demonstrated by this time
that the public schools are safe from auv
public attack. But let it not be forgot
ten that the assassin who ingratiates himself
into your favor can more easily plunge his
dagger TO yOur heart than the foe who
boldly defies you to combat. And
while the schools are so fortified in the af
fections of the penple to be in,pregnabie
to every open assault, they are not safe from
the poison and stilettoes of pretended
friends. Eternal watchfulness can only se
cure them from assassination. No man who
has ever been implicated in hostiIities
against the schools can be trusted in the
City Council, unless he has demonstrated in
the most unmistakable manner that his
mind has undergone decided change on
that point Professions ought not to be re-
garded- When questioned as to their feel
lngs towards the schools, they should fnrn-
ISL past acts as testimony, and not mere ir- !