Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-09-01
THE CITY GOVERNMENT.
The Schemes on Foot-A Tax Payers League
Necessity.

Tothe Editor ofthe Eagle.
Every honest man should be interested,
every tax payer should be concerned IN the
present situation of our city as regards the
general levy of taxes for city purposes as
well as the special assessments for curb
and gutter, sewer. aud the pavement bur-
den that we are unable TO avert.
Having read Tax Payers" article and
concurring in his conclusions, we were
amused at the questions put by the head
of the city government for the reason that
the conduct of an officer is always mat
ter of scrutiny, his acts are public prop
erty. his vote always subject to criticism,
and II the absence of rational explanation
his motives are the proper object OF just
suspicion when he acts in manner which
arouses the unfaYorable comment OF pru-
dent. sagacious, honest and respectable
citizens.
If this were not true the people
would be in a pitable condition as regards
officers who vote money out OF pockets not
their own.
a private man acts for himself his
motives are not subject 10 criticism unless
he oversteps the line of law, either civil or
criminal, or becoming rude or unc!yll, SO
long as he minds his business the pubic Is
not concerned.
An officer in his official capacity has no
private business, and any citizen mas the
lawful right to demand, not simply re-
quest, explanations of votes. PUBLIC OIL
ces are supposed TO be pupllc trusts,
not private snaps"
\ swarm CT paving contractors, and
their agents. henchmen and toad-eaterS are
infesting the business houses OF this city
and like a citizens police force may be
seen patrolllng the streets daily. 1his
bodies no good to the city.
The time has come when a taxpayers
League should be formed TO watch the ex-
penditure of public money and see that
unworthy men no longer get into
our city government. Let the bus
mess of the city see to this, and the sooner
the better, to the end that the pavement
schemes be watched, sifted, and If rotten
exposed.
! We assert that schemes of every kind
are being pushed all over the city, that
can only be successful by gross careless
| less, negligence, If nothing else.
| We submit for the consideration of the
| taxpayers of the city that when the pur-
| chase of lot at the corner OF Fourth
avenue and Fourteenth street for 81 ,00O-
! is voted for by majority of the council
| over the objection of one councilman, who
states that lot on the corner of Park and
| Wichita streets can be obtained for $500,
| that we have either TO credit this 10
doodle or lack of judgment. In either
| case we have right to complain, grumble
and suspicion.
When one electric light company offers
q contract for s. and another for 50, and
we are informed that the mayor says he
will sign contract for 80 light, and no
explanation is given TO the pubic, what
conclusions are we TO draw?
Unless there is a reason which the pub
! lie is entitled TO, we must conclude that
| the mayor is dishonest, or an imperial ass,
unless he has been imposed upon, and yet
! there is no explanation.
| When the mayor, as we are informed by
councilmen, states that the people who are
| to pay for pavement have no right tC
| have g. voice in selecting the pavement, we
are at least astonished at his lack OF policy
! if not confounded, by such show OF great
| ness,
| When storm-water sewers are placed in
! the outskirts OF the city, we cannot but be
! apprehenSiYe.
! We do not understand Taxpayer
charges corruption, What we do under
stand is, that he charges a chain of cir
cumstances in the attempt to locate {
! city building, which are CONSTANT witt
Doodle or incompetency, corruption Of
weakness, improper influences, or i'm
fecility.
An honest weak-minded man, who il
susceptible of being influenced by per
sonal friends to vote injudiciously, may
| be tn means of as much injustice as al
abb, o1grupt man.
TaX-payer will offer his own version o
the city building scheme, and his idea il
that the way for the city government Il
clear its skirts, is to purchase bulldlns
site at a decent price in central location
So long as this question is left open. thu
people will be apprehensive.
CITIZEN"