The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1874-03-26

Our coming city election is eicitins but lit
tie interest, as far as our observation goes. at
this writing. Especially is this true as to coun-
cilmen and the board of education. 1t is to be
hoped that before the expiration of the week
sufficient stir will be made TO get out good and
competent men in each ward to I'LL the places
on the two boards. Because success attended
the actions OF both council and school board
last year. is no reason for ethcrgy and inacton
this spring. We have heard half dozen names
mentioned, but upon inqurins of the persons
themselves we were invariably nformedd that
they were "no candidate The mayoralty
seems little more interesting. The present
mayor, James G. Hope. is talked of; DIR.
Longsdorf, president OF the council, Is being
canvassed considerable Mcssrs. Geo. Harris,
W. }. Hobson, DIR. Furley. Dr. Fabrique. have
all been nyassed in that honorable capacity,
but not one of them. that we are aware Of has
as yet formally announced his name. They
are all good. straightforward business and pro-
fessional men, but whether they would all
make equally good mayors is doubtful. What
we need in our city affairs is good, sound bus
mess management, such ms business men give
to their own affairs. That man is a rcpub-
can or democrat, proves nothing as 10 his fit
ness or uniitness for discharglng the duties Of
an Office under our municipal organization.
Even where there are grave and well defined
political issues before the people, We have
never noticed any particular good result from
strict party lines being drawn in township and
village elections. The only good in 4 party con-
tests in local elections is party good, as such ,
as il is impossible 10 carry out national princi-
pies In \ purely local administration. We
have always deemed it the wiser policy in lit
lie local elections TO select good men. with
out reference TO party allegiance. To-day
there is not oac citizen in dozen who knows
what the political predictions Of the members
Of the pre- sent city council oil school board are
Why Because there is no politics IA either.
What is wanted is an economical and wise al
ministration of our business affairs. Where a
failure in these occur in small town or town.
ship, no party can be held responsible. even
should the officers be selected upon party plat
forms. When il comes to counties, districts
and states. then politics and principles may be
we arc content that every man desiring TO
iun. or who may be urged by his friends 10
offer himself, shah do SO. leaving each voter to
cast his ballot for the men whom his judgment
and observation endorses. Things were done
by both the council and school board OF last
wear that we could not filly endorse. yet can
dor compell> us 10 say that upon the whole all
Of our city affairs in 1873 were well managed.
This is said with the knowledge. Of course.
that our city is largely rcl'ublican-of the same
political comple xion of this paper, therefore
unselhshy.
4. :. Since the above was put in type james
Il. Hope sent in his announcement for re-
election. 80 We have at least one formal candi-
date. There is no ienylng the proposition
that Mayor Hope has made a very successful
and competent officer. in whose hands the
city's interests have been well subserved.
Come on, somebody else.