The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-02-16
4 HOUSTON SkETCH OF MUNICIPAL.
AFFAIRS.

A business man of Houston, who,
being temporarily laid up at home in
consequence of some accident, gets to
thinking over the affairs of that city,
and furnishes the Post the result of his
convalescent reveries. 1t is scathing
criticism upon the democratic manage
ment of that municipality. In 1874
the so-called radicals were superseded
by the intelligent and patriotic demo-
Gratis, and at that time the city debt
was 81 900, 900, now it is So, 900, 900,
with nothing to show for the democrat
ic million, and the convalescent citizen
asks:
Why do l live in Houston at all? l
pay per cent. city ad valorem tax,
contribute my share to any public
scheme intended to bring business to
Houston, subscribe for state fairs, ship
channels, plank roads into the Fifth
ward, and do everything else that the
leading men of the city say ought to
do to increase its business prosperity
and contribute to the pleasures of its
citizens even to buying season ticket
in the summer night concerts, helping
out the skating rink and paying my
dues to the Lyceum. What do I get
in return7 l have no gaslight to cheer
me on my way home after my weary
days work is done. | have no side
walk to guard my feet from mud and
water. There are no crossings not
covered with mud, unless cleaned by
private effort: Cattle, horses, mules,
geese hogs and dogs dispute my pas
sage along the Doggy streets; piles of
mud, and deep, open bitches are
ready to receive me if | make false
step. No policeman can be found
should l want his assistance, and l
founder along and get into my home
the best can. For the tax l pay in
Houston, in any other place having
any pretense to being called city, or
with even an apology for city gov
eminent, I would get at least some
thing for my money. Here l get
nothing. Some two years ago
we all went wild over
THE RESULT OF THE CITY ELECTION.
At last a mayor and council repre-
senting the wealth, responsibility and
business interests of Houston had been
chosen. To the aldermen no opposi-
ton was offered. The mayor was OPP
posed by a man who managed to make
a lively and exciting contest, but our
triumph over him rendered our victory
the more complete, our rejoicing the
more heartfelt and gratifying. We
made bonfires; we discharged guns; we
shouted until our lungs gave out. l
am not drinking man., but upon this
occasion | came home in a condition
that my wife had never seen me in be-
fore. l won't say was drunk; l was
happy. Even the boys went on a
bender. That night, and, although we
nearly all retired when the hands of
the city clock had long passed the hour
of IL, we went to bed, men and boys,
little and big, feeling we had done a
glorious days work for our country.
Even our wives were willing to overlook
our "overflow of spirits" when We told
of our days achievements. Lying on
my back, thinking over the past in
connection with the promises made
and the hopes held out by the leaders
and gentlemen elected at that time;
and, contrasting the promises then
made with their performances since, l
feel respondent. We were then told
that the city debt, which hung like a
dark cloud over our prosperity,
thwarting every effort of our people in
the direction of street improvements
would now be speedily adjusted CD a
basis within our power to pay, and
that many advantages, heretofore de-
MED our people by preceding admins
trations, would be speedily forthcoming.
But we have looked in vain for any
amelioration of our wretched condi-
ton. On the contrary, all things re-
lating to the city and its government
have, grown continually more wretched,