San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-06-23
uNsUsINess LIKE BUSINESS.

UNBUSIkESS LIKE BUSINESS
The council proceedings from week to
week display an utter absence of method
in carrying out Its orders, as we'll as in
transacting business. The orders for
street work are piled up week after
week like the contents of a sCavenger's
cart on a garbage heap, and that is the
last oft. Specific work ordered done
six months since has not been touched;
grades ordered established that side
walks might be laid, are still as much
an unknown quantity as ever; private
parties and corporations instructed to
do certain necessary things for the
safety, comfort or convenience OF the
public, pay no more attention to the
orders of the fathers in council than the
fathers themselves, and why should they;
the city officials who have accounts
with the city treasury are allowed all
the latitude there is this side of the
equator in drawing their balances;
there is more disorder, confusion and
general monkeying in the council room
than was ever exhibited in any other
deliberative body whose proceedings
we have examined. The thing is mon
otonous. 1t is disgraOeful. Let the
council see If it cannot reduce order out
of chaos and give our people the
satisfaction Of decent procedure,
even II business methods are impos-
sible. If the fault lies in the
official head Of the council let head be
put on him by the council. If the coun-
ell are unable TO do this, If the lord Of
misrule has so dominated the council as
to completely ignore all its orders, dis
regard all its laws of procedure and sub
stitute his personal will for the action of
that body, it is high time that they sat
down on him, or stepped down and out.
The aldermen Of this city were chosen
to represent the interests of the city to
see after the public business; to stand
between the indifference and greed and
selfishness Of individuals and corpora
tons and the welfare of the city to con-
duct its public affairs in an economical,
wise and liberal spirit ; to look after its
cleanliness, care for Its health, see that
the comfort Of Its citizens and their safe
ty was duly provided for. For these
things the council was elected to repre-
sent the city. That the city has in
many things been misreprasented rather
hal urifh hal
eye open will dispute. We are con-
strained to demand Of the council in
the name Of the people-less confusion;
less pickering; less personal crimina-
ton, less foolish expenditure OF time
anu money in examining into the neces-
sity Of improvements that when ordered
are never carried out; less useless piling
up OF orders for street and other work
which cannot possibly be accomplished;
q more prompt payment for work done
under contract that the people may not
be deluded into belief that the treas
ury is flush, when Just demands remain
unpaid; some systematic method OF pro-
ceeding with public improvements SO
that the council and the city may know
from time to time what work has been
done and what left undone; some more
careful supervision Of public accounts
so that an officer may not be found
deficient in his accounts 81 1856 on work
and have balance in his favor of $500
In a week or two thereafter; decent
attention to the law in letting contracts,
so that the taxpayers may not be at the
mercy of any public officer who desires
to place contract where it will do him
most good personally-in q word, the
people want the council to do business
for the city as though it was business.
that is do it in business way.
THE labor members Of the house Of