The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1881-03-11
srERaY on THE MAYORALrY.
The opinioas OF An Attorney Rsgar
ing the Qualifications OF the

The Opinions OF An Attorney Regard
ing the Qualifications OF the
Municipal Executive.
EDIToRs NEWS: As the question just
now sgitating The public mind is the
question as TO who shall be the next
mayor of our city, beg leave TO make
few suggestions that have occurred to
me in connection with this question.
The financial questions and problems,
which will present themselves this COM
ing year to our city council, will be of
such magnitude and importance that
upon their solution will, in my judg-
ment, depend TO great extent the future
prosperity of our city. We are in such
a condition that we cannot afford to have
mere experiments tried, or any mistakes
made in the solution of these ques
tons and problems.
Our Indebtedness is large for 3 city of
the size of ours, and if the statement in
last weeks Sentinel that this indebted
ness is increasing at the rate of $1,000
per month without any corresponding
income of revenue. is anywhere near cor
rect, it is matter that should cause the
gravest alarm and apprehension on the
part of evary person who has the least
interest in the prosperity of the city.
The fact Of it be one) that our already
too large Indebtedness is Increasing at
all, is sufficient to make every voter feel
the deepest personal interest in the COM
| ing city election.
One of the most important questions.
| in my judgment, which will be presented
to the mayor and council for solution
will be the question of Tefunding that
portion of our outstanding bonded in
debtedness a1tieA constitutes legal la
bility against the city.
Ii the government is able to borrow
money at 3 per cent. to fund its indebt-
ness, our city, with its record of the past
to refer to, ought 10 be able to borrow
money to fund its Indebtedness at from
4 to "A per cent. To accomplish such
q result, however, it will be necessary
to have q man for mayor who not only
has knowledge and experience IN finan.
cial matters, but also q plenty
of time TO give, without hope of reward
or pay, to the solution and developments
of such financial policy for our city
as will inspire capitalists with sufficient
confidence in our future to float our in
debebtedness at or ~ per cent. inter
est. know no man in this city who is
likely to be elected to the Office of mayor
who will be able to bring to the Office
any knowledge or experience, which will
be of any benefit to him in the dis
charge of its duties. l mean by this
that none of the present candidates have
had any actual experience in such pos
;tion.
| 1t may seem easy enough to one with
out experience, for any man of honest
purpose and good common sense, &c
fully fill the Office of mayor of city
like ours, and ordinarily il would be
correct to say that such is the case, but
when the financial affairs of city gel
into the shape ours have assumed, then
it ought to be apparent that something
more is required than mere honesty al
purpose and good common sense to sue
cessfully fill that position.
a man elected to that Office IT this
present time, ought to be in such posi-.
tiOn that he could give for nothing q
large amount of time to the affairs and
business of the city; to learning and in
structlDg himself AS to all its corporate
powers and rights, its sources of revenue
and its necessities for and means of rails
ing revenues to meet such necessities
He should also have time to devote to &
personal examination of every branch o.
the city government which requires ex
penditures of any kind or for any purpose
in order 10 be able to recommend any
kind of policy of reform and rctrench
ment in the matter of expenditures, o.
to shape policy for stricter economy
The mayor is in reality, the head of city
government and with his power of fill
ing the committees of the council, o
casting the deciding vote in case of ;
tie, of vetoing all ordinances passed
he is placed in such a position as TO en-
able him, il well posted, broad gagged
: energetic and determined, to impress
t upon and carry through the council
any well matured and considered polio,
in relation to finances, taxation, reform
and economy.
/ A man without knowledge or expert
ence in controlling or directing the pol
, icy of even 50 small a government a
the government of a city the size of ours
: if he is unable to give such time and at
e tention to the matter as will enable hin
to thoroughly comprehend and under
n stand the whole system of municips
government, would be an utter failur
& in our present crisis, as mayor, be b
4 ever so honest or able.
I The council meets regularly "a times
2 year, or twice month for two or thre
: hours in the evening on the days c
{ meeting. To elect any man to the offic
! of mayor, who will only expect to Civ
J. such time to the government of the cit
| as will be required by the meetings c
: the cOnucil would be to make farce c
It the whole matter.
8 If our indebtedness is to be refunde
!. the man to do it is the mayor, and to
II it successfully, he must be thorough
o posted upon all the affairs of our cit
e and be a man who can state our cond
r ton in the way of resources, ETC., as t
impress the people who will purchas
s the bonds, with the fact that the futuI
v prosperity of our city ia assured beyon
II question.
e This article has not been written b
e me with the purpose or intention of a
Il vancing the claims of either of the cal
o ditates who are at present being talke
of in connection with the Office of ma
IS or, but has been written for the sole an
only purpose of urging upon the cleo
}, ors the very great importance OF the
is choosing wisely in determining WI
is they will vote for for that Office. n
# man ought to be a candidate fl
n that office unless he is prepared an
d willing to give for nothing q
le the time that will be nece
d sary to be given in order to leal
ir all that it will be necessal
b | W NC IcdIncu 30 lIldI d U4dA NOT pOSle
IT in the theories and practice of mum
v ipal government may become quick
and thoroughly posted In such theori,
.e and practice. The electors should see
v. it, that the man elected be one who cor
q bines in the highest degree both exec
at tive and administrative ability; that l
Il be man who has knowledge and e
" perience if possible in those kinds
I financial questions, as will be likely
present themselves to the city COVER
ment during the present year; tn
he be a man who is not SO haI
Is pered with other bushes ar
"a affairs as to prevent his gi
ing to that Office all the time whiC
u should in justice to the city be given
it. No one expects that it will be poss
l. BILE TO find and elect a man who woul
re be perfect in that Office, but by cal
d consideration, moderate and tempera
II discussion of this question the electo
N undoubtedly will be able to give us
d good man for the place, and one WI
e will be able TO do his whole duty to oil
city and its taxpayers. Respectfully,
G. N. STERRY.
1