The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1874-02-21
MVNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS.


The rapid increase of towns in the
United States of later years is bringing
into Importance the question of city
governmcnts-their necessity, utility
and the best mode of administering
them, that they may be blessings
rather than scourges on the people.
The system to the great mass Of
Southern and Western people is in its
infancy. All will agree that they are
expensive necessities, thrusting their
hands directly into the pockets of the
citizens. In so far as they can be made
to subserve the objects of their creation,
with the least practical expense, it is
the part of wisdom to go.
The chief necessities for these munic-
ipal organizations are the preservation
of good order, the Improvement of
streets, the prevention of fires, and
the protection of health. Beyond
these there is no justifiable necessity
for their burdens on municipal COM
munities. Could these objects be ac-
complished through other existing
agencies, as for instance, the county
courts, town governments could be dis
pensed with. Under the present con-
stitution, laws and organizations this
cannot be accomplished, but it is pos
sible that the time may come under
reforms likely to take place at no great
time in the future when this can be
effected. The subject is one worthy of
serious investigation by men interested
in the general good of all.
Municipal officers have to be paid,
and there is u proneness to increase
ed to meet all the expenses of the local
government and pay salaries. The
proportion of revenue actually devoted
to improvements is, therefore, relative
ly small. In other words, municipal
modes of administration are necessari-
ly costly necessities" or luXuries as the
case may he. Hence, we deduce from
the premises the great Importance of
intelligent economy in appropriations
and disbursements, and constant
watchfulness, lest extravaganza
and waste creep in. To pre-
side over such a town as Gal
weston, Houston or Dallas is no
sinecure. The chief magistrate of
such town demands, besides honesty
and industry, tirst-class business
man, with some knowledge of legal
principles. However well he may per-
form his functions, complaints will
arise, and he will daily realize that his
seat is not bed of roses. He must
have self-control, firmness, with justice,
economy without niggardliness, and
trust his vindication to the people
themselves.
The other officers of such towns have
their appropriate duties to perform and
bear the same responsibilities respec-
lively as their chief. The aldermen
are the lawmakers Of the town, and
only through them can the public rev.
enue be appropriated for any purpose
whatever. Their responsibilities,
though confined to the municipality,
are great, and should be discharged in
a spirit of equal justice to all citizens
and all parts of the town.
The town marshal, as the guardian
of the peace and good order of
the community, should be above
fear and above reproach, ever realising
that while it is his duty to preserve the
peace and protect all, it is not his duty,
but crime, for him to insult, abuse or
maltreat any beyond the absolute ne
cessity of discharging his duties. He
has fine field in which to be bene-
factor, but frequent temptations to go
astray and become petty tyrant. He
should, therefore, be true man.
These views naturally arise in view
of the election to come off in April.
We give them thus early, while there
is no excitement, as thoughts which
should commend themselves to all
good citizens, however much they may
differ politically.
Another thought should never be
cast away. The governments of towns
should be so administered as to give
The least possible annoyance to peace
full strangers and the farmers of the
on whom towns depend for
The necessaries both of life and trade.
Every facility should be secured TO the
farmer to come in, buy and sell in
peace, enjoy protection from rogues
md sharpers, and return home feeling
hat he had been well treated. This
will be grand corner stone in the
of any town.