Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-09
The Approaching City Election.


The city election is close at hand. Ces.
didates Tor Mayor aud Abdomen are
doubtless already being considered. 1t
is not certain that there will be two sets
of candidates nominated, but the indica-
tons are tnat there will.
In behalf OF Mayor Lester and the
present CouncIlmen it is but just to say
that they have kept steadily in view the
best interests of the city, and have aimed
to do their whole duty without fear or
favor. Indeed, it is doubtful if the affairs
of the city have ever before been so salts
factorily administered. Improvements
have been pushed steadily forward with
out increasing the city's burdens, and the
city's finances have been kept in a
healthy condition.
In selecting officials at the approach
ing election these things must be kept
steadily in view. The aim should be to
intrust the government of the city only to
those who are not only deeply interested
III promoting the city's prosperity but
who know how to promote it, and who are
willing to give the necessary time to
their official duties.
The present Mayor and Councilman
have not mad the unanimous approval OF
the public in all they have done, but at
no time has their disposition to do what
they thought was best for the city been
questioned. 1t was not TO be expected
that they would escape criticism, and it
may be that some of the criticisms were
Just, but it will not be denied that 1t is
impossible to administer the affairs of
this or any other city to the entire
satisfaction Of everybody. If their ad-
ministration, however, is measured by
previous administrations they are pretty
certain to receive praise rather than con-
domination.
Doubtless in the opinion of many it is
an easy matter to govern a city like this,
but all who have had experience know
that it isn't. Difficulties are frequently
encountered and some of them are not
easily overcome. True, most Of the duties
of Councilmen are such as business men
can easily discharge, but it often happens
that questions. upon which the public IS
divided, involving important interests
have to be decided, and then GOODNESS and
judgment are required to avoid grave
mistakes.
1t isn't every man, therefore, who is
capable of making a good Mayor or good
Councilman. Let either careless, incompe-
tent or Enthusiastically men get control OF
the city, and confidence in it's future
would show signs of weakness at once.
Expenditures would increase without an
increase In improvements or a stricter
enforcement OF the sanitary or police
regulations. The reduction of the debt
would stop and the bonds would drop be-
low par.
To keep up the credit of the city the
Council must be composed of men who
know how to spend the revenues to the
best advantage, and who are willing to
give such attention to details as to be
able to spend them economically.
The position OF a Councilman is not
very desirable one. There is but little
honor in 1t, and no money. There are a
few offices to fill, but the chance to fill
them comes at the end, and not at the
beginning, of a term. If a good, compe-
tent man consents to become Council
man it is because he thinks he can be Of
service 20 the city.
1t is as important to have good Mayor
as it is to have good Council. He must
be man of ability, who, besides having
good judgment, is disposed to be just.
Mayor Lester meets the requirements.
He knows his own rights and maintains
them, and he knows other peoples rights
and sees that they have them as far as
his Office is concerned. He is cool and
determined in an emergency as the chief
executive Of a city ought to be. His pur-
pose is to be impartial in the discharge
or his duties, and to enforce the laws. 1t
will be generally admitted that he sue
ceeds In his purpose.
There are many things to be done for
the CITY within the next two years, and
they can be better done by men who have
had experience in administering the
city's affairs than by new and untried
men. Why not, then, re-elect the Mayor
and at least a majority OF the Council