The daily Cairo bulletin., 1881-01-19
E pAnY CAIRO BULLETIN: WEDNESDAY MORNING JANUARY m 1851

unOuhttu w tu,VOV)NVV Pouuup. Niph
caught in the sound were shipped to every
market in the world, the returns being over
$3,000,0O0. AS another source Of wealth
the territory contains 100000 acres of
the best timber land on the globe. The
facilities Of cattle raising are likewise
represented as superb. Taking it alto
gether, the enthusiastic governor believes
that the obscure territory is destined to
become one Of the greatest states Of the
Union.
Many of our citizens are we'll pleased
with the recent action of our city council,
in voting to again light the streets with
gas. 1t is now nearly four years since the
streets of our city have been lighted, ex-
cept here and there, where an oil lamp has
been kept lighted at night by some of
our enterprising citizens. The question of
| lighting our streets with the electric light
has been broached by some of our alder
men, but the time has not yet arrived
when 1t can be well, and economically
done in that way. 1t has recently been
decided by the commissioner of sewers OF
the city of London to light the bridges and
some Of the leading thoroughfares of that
city by electricity. The Anglo-American
Electric Light company have been awarded
the contract for Lighting two Of the prin-
cipal bridges and portion of one of the
principal streets at cost four times that
OF gas. When it is remembered that if
| anything occurs to stop the machinery for
an instant, the lights go out-we feel like
saying that we want none of it until the
lighting by electricity is so perfected
as to be as cheap, and as sure as oil or gas
lights. But to return to the subject OF
lighting our streets. There will be need
ed, to have it well done, about one hundred
and fifty posts One hundred Of them can
be erected on the line or gas mains-the
other fifty need to be erected in portions
of the city where the gas mains do not run
and where, of course, oil lamps must be
used. We have about fifty-fve iron lamp
posts, many Of which although without Ian
terms, could be gotten ready to be lighted by
February 1st, if the citizens take
hold of the matter at once. Ian
terms, all Of the same pattern,
should be used, as the expense of keeping
them in repair would be much less, besides
adding to the general appearance of the
city.
I'm the coming city election no money
should be used to procure votes. Our side
has no money to spend and if the other
side will drop its old practices, the will of
the people will prevail" So said one of
our ward politicians, with pious solemnity,
a few days ago in the course of a converse
ton concerning the probable future occu-
pant Of the mayors chair. We take occa-
sion here to say, that the continual cry of
"money did IT." after the election is over,
has become exceedingly "thin" and thread
bare. We will not say that few dollars
in the possession of both sides do not
change hands during elections, but the
practice is by no means as gigantic as the
alarmists would have US believe. 1t is true
and we say it in fit OF candor-that at
all elections all parties believe more or less
in "a free circulation OF money" since
there is no argument SO thoroughly per
suasive with many men. "The country
must be rescued from the flagitous enemy
is the staple cry of politicians of both sides
at national elections, and the same cry-a
little differently worded-is echoed by
many during municipal elections. But ad
mtting this, may we not pause to think and
ask if lucre may assist purpose
SO patriotic, is 1t an ignoble instrumental
ty? Lives, property and prosperity arc
staked in battle, and why should not the
minor moralities be sacrificed in the pres
ence OF great national peril or to secure
respectable city government Is some
one to step forward and bother US with
scruples for which we care not a-dram2
Not if the court knows itself. 1t should
be remembered that the government of our
little city depends upon the consent of its
citizens and If some citizens falter in their
opinions until two or twenty dollars in
hand cmboldcns them to declare their CON
sent by ballot, why should not we "get out
the will Of the people" as best we may.
The reader will see that we are anything
but onesided in considering this matter.
p. a. W.