San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-03-12
CAN'T STAND CRITICISM.
BLUNT" Reviews the Municipal Battle
field, With Some Advice.
Editor san Antonio Light.

Editor san Antonio Light.
take 1t. from an item in your paper,
that Mayor Callsghan is not pleased with
my plea in his behalf. hope you are
mistaken, as it would lessen my good
opinion Of the good sense Of that worthy
young gentleman. Whel the surgeon
finds the bone crushed beyond redemp-
ton, he takes OF the limb. 1t would be
neither just or generous for the unfortu-
nate cripple 10 look upon the surgeon as
his enemy. A just criticism may leave
the patient shorn Of some OF his beauty,
but it should not be looked upon as an
unmixed evil. There is rule which is
generally applicable in such cases, to-
wit: The public officer or admin
istration that can't stand criticism
had better step down and out. The
man who occupies II high place of trust
must be able to look over the heads of
the tOadies and hatterers who surround
him to the great crowd upon whose
shoulders he has been borne to his high
position, or else he Is lost.
When Mayor Callaghan came into Of
flee his friends were hopeful that his
career would lead to higher place in
the esteem Of the people than occupied
by his predecessor, especially was this
the case with his Republican support
ers. The young Mayor promised reform
in city affairs and progressive admins
tratiOn in the way of public improve
menIs How has he fulfilled this expec-
tation? II we are to judge from the ex-
pressed public opinion on every hand,
irrespective Of party, he has failed,
signally failed. Yet, his failure is
due largely to the City Council
who have shared with him the RESPONSE
bility OF the city government; his great
trouble came from his inability to ap-
preclate the fact that our city is no
longer q Mexican village, that the
methods of ward politics would not be
popular with the great mass of intelli-
gent. people, anxious for the inaugura-
tiOn of progressive, independent adj
ministration of their affairs. Had the
young Mayor thrown aside all his preju-
dices, and acted entirely with a view TO
the public benefit instead OF trying to
strengthen his political position, he
would be the strongest man Of his party
in the city to-day.
In fact, had our Mayor been q
stronger man with a ripe experience
anu hhON vi Nlldils ut Iulhul nave
overturned MS watchful, crafty enemies
in the city council and driving the IN
against the wall OF public opinion, be-
came their masters, and forced upon
them policy of his own. In the dis
tributiOn Of the spells the council were
content to take the crumbs tn At fell from
the executive table, but in all other
matters the ambitious councilman have
had their way and left his honor the
doubtful advantage of an undisturbcd
use of patronage.
There is certainly power In or
CARRIED public pap. but il must be in
accord with the sentiment Of a large
body OF the people who do not feed ut
the public crib, or it will be swept
like tRe chat before the gale
Of the public wrath. Hence it is that
the solid, substantial voters have de-
termined to vote:dOwn the sewer propo-
sition in order that the present admins
tration shall not have the chance TO use
that expenditure to feed its hungry sup
porters, The Mayor has hitherto OPP
posed sewers, but he must now fall into
line, as it has developed into conspir-
acy to secure control of our city govern
ment at the next election.
If Mayor Callaghsn will openly and
resolutely oppose the present sewer
proposition, such action would 90 far to
restore him to public favor. BLUNT.