The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-03-07

ment for the services of special gent
The secrecy about the transaction was IN
response to desire to keep the enemies 81
the measures and not the citizens OF Dallas
ia the dark as TO the councils movements.
In answer TO the other questions propounued
by Enquirer" We cannot but agree win
him that such action was based upon the
most questionable authority. A city, nor
any other body for that matter, has no
right to vote away the peoples money Tor
the purposes of influencing legislation H.
creasing the municipal powers, and III the
present instance the action OF the council
seems to us doubly inexcusable, as one Of
the measures sought, at least, was clearly
unconstitutional. We have city attorney,
who should have been consulted, and who
should have told the board that they
would, by pursuing the course finally
adopted by them, be not only misusihB
public moneys, but actually throwing II
away, as the constitution itself in plain
terms would prevent the enactment OF one
of the amendments. And we agree also
will" Enquire" that such proceedings when
had at all should have been open and above
board so that the citizens who desired TO
might have an opportunity to protest. In
view of the cry of economy and scarcity of
money so Systematically heard from the
council, the miserable condition Of the
city's streets and sidewalks, the great num-
Der of poor within our limits and other OBJ
iects for which our surplus money might
have been more properly and Justly ex-
pended, we cannot but feel that this action
OF the council, about which these rumors
are atloat and enquiries made, was unwisc
and inexcusable; wrong both as policy
and precedent, and we regret to have tc
recognize the fact that it was taken
by the council as we must do un
der the admissions of the Mayor
The taxes and income of the city govern
ment are to be expended under the char
ter in certain manner ouly for the legti'
mate protection, care of ANA improvement
of the city, aud certain officers are elected
whose duty it Is, and theirs alone, to sec
that such money is expended for such pur.
pose alone, and in only Legitimate man
ner. 1t is therefore oycrstepping, the
bounds of both authority and proprlety tc
descend to the province of mere politicians
and employ special agents and lobbyists to
! influence legislation, in at best most cues
| tionablc manner, The secret feature il
none-the,less reprehensible, and is a virtua
confession that the action was not alto
gether such ms the council would like tC
have the critical eye of the public cast upon
| If measures OF Importance affecting
the city's welfare are required, the city
council ought by open and Legitimate
methods impress such fact upon the law
makers Of the state, but it is proceeding
that cannot but be characterized as grossly
unwarranted to close the doors upon tn,
public, take the public money, hire spe
cial lobbyist and send him away in al
effort to usurp more power. The criticism!
and objections raised by Enquirer" i'll thu
premises are, TO our thinking eminentlN
just and correct, and, we regret for tn,
councils sake, no doubt, a faithful expres
sion Of the views of large majority of th,
citizens of Dallas. 1t is precedent so I'm
authorized, inexcusabe and fragrant tina
we trust public opinion will be pronounce,
enough to prevent its repetition.