San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-01-31
THE REIGN OF TERROR.

seen than IN Jne ueaCnllKe silence
that is preserved by all corporations,
holding or seeking franchises from
the city, in matters concerning the
city government. This fact has caus-
ed nolittle comment, and among those
who do not look below the surface is
very hard to unders tand, and in many
instances is cited as an argument in
favor of the Callaghan administration.
The simple fact is that the reign of
terror now existing in this city has
struck all these corporations dumb
and they accept silence as their only
safety. Since the PRESIDENT of the San
Antonio Street Railway Company
called attention of the city taxpayers
to what he honestly believed was an
effort of some members of the city
councial to play the part of Doodle
alderman, what has been the attitude
of the city council towards that corpo-
ration? The hand of coercion in many
ways has been laid upon it, entailing
compliance with needless and veXa-
tiOus demands and regulations, which
have been burden upon its manage
ment and upon It's finances. Those
things tell, and the city railway com
pany has not one word to say in critic
ism of or hostility to the present man
agement of municipal affairs. 1t is not
safe for them so to do. Let them or any
of their employees take any part in this
election and if Callaghan retains
power the iron hand and heavy heel
of the administration will be felt. |
The West End Town company has a
franchise from the city the terms of
which require clearer definition, and |
very naturally in the future may find |
it necessary to ask others, that the
public may fully benefit by the i'm
provements they are making. Dare |
any member Of the West End Town |
company take any part in this city |
election? Members of that company |
whose voices are usually heard and |
heard to good purpose in all that con-
Germs the interests of this city, are as
dumb as oysters over the present con-
test. Why? Because of the persecu-
ton that will follow in case of Gala
ghan's reelection. Does the Gas Com
pany, the Electric Light Company,
the Water Works Company have
word to say in this m )st important
election? Are the representatives of
these corporations taking any dip in
matters? Where are the men who fig
ure in the Cross Town railway
scheme? Are they coming to the front
in this municipal contest? Has the
of the Lone Star Brew
ing company, so deeply interested in
Cross Town railway, anything to say
about the election? Why is it that
the new Rapid Transit company have
the lOckjaw in this municipal cam
paign? Only one answer to all these
questions and score OF others of like
character. These corporations are
afraid of the enmity of the municipal
as conducted by its
present autocrat, and keep silence lest
they suffer irreparable injury in their
business should the present city man.
agement continue two years longer.
The LIGHT is injured financially to
the tune Of many hundred dollars per
annum, because of it's open and tear
lessly expires sed hostility to the pres
ent conduct of city affairs. Unlike
some other Journals in this city, it is
not on the fence, and is not for sale,
and cannot be intimidated, or dashed
that the determinations of the past
will be made against it in the future,
it is too much the LIGHT of the city
in fact as well as in name to hide the
truth, no matter what its telling may
cost. 1t is well to consider what the
result will be in two years more if
this present city ring controls affairs.
Every day the power of the ring-mas-
for inn |
his restrictions are more plainly felt
from mouth to mouth, and as they are
felt deeper silence falls upon all
who would, but dare not, resent the
determinations of the council head
against all who criticise, and in favor
of all who tlatter. Two years more of
this system of spies and espionage,
the spy rewarded and his victim dis
eliminated against, and the autocrat
of San Antonio will be master of the
situation and perpetual administra-
tor of the city affairs. His creatures
do his bidding as faithfully today as
do the slaves of any Turk the bidding
of their master and leave the conse-
quences with him. Is it safe to leave
all our city's in terests in such hands?
Is it safe to fasten the cOrds upon our
hands, the letters upon our feet in
this way? Is it wise to peril all the
future of our city and put it in pawn
for the fear we feel lest the autocrat
returned to power shall visit upon us
his displeasure? The question of the
hour is freedom or sIavery-and there
are hundreds in San An-onio who are
beginning to see it.
DALLAS, despairing of getting to