The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-12-21
Tic Neg. City Council

rhe time Is close at baud when a new
city council will b3 cleo ell. As vet very
little has been done toward selecting candi-
dates for councilmen. In two or three dis
[ tricts meeting have been held and prefer
ences for certain men have been Gxpres ed,
but the fitness Of tn Sc men for the p lsiti Ins
for which they have been named has n { been
generally canvsssei nor has there bean any
movement by business man and taxpayers
to secure the election Of a council composed
OF men who, because Of their business abil-
ity, high character and devotion to the
city's Welfare, would most likely adminisrs r
municipal affairs wisely and economically.
Nearly all Of those citizens who have Ia &c
interests at stake, and who are striving IN
other respects to promote the city's welfare,
are Indifferent. apparently, whether fl men
are chosen &c govern the city o. not.
This is q remarkable condition OF affairs,
10 say the least Of it-a c udition of affairs
that does not exist, probably. Ia any other
city ia the country. What is tbs cause of
this apathy Do not those who own the
business ID real estate care whether or
not the city is governed with wisdom and
ABILITY Do they not know that bad man
age nelt of municipal AT airs oJstructs the
clty's progressl Are they not aware That IL
incompetent men are piacei in the conncil
the city will not enjoy that degree of pros
perity which she would il her affairs were
directed by men OF broad views aud who
we're conscientious In the discharge of their
dutiesi
The budget for the next year is about
made up, and it appropriates considerably
more money than the last one. Over
$3.50. 900 is 70 be attributed next year. II
can he distributed so that the city will show
benefits from it or SO that it Will be impos-
sible TO see any results from much Of it.
This is a critical time In the clty's
history. Within the next year she will
have at least two additional
railroads. and she m y have several others
before the term of the next council expires.
With such an increase in her r-ilroad inter
ests she is certain TO grow, and a. she grows
important questions will present them
selves. An additional supply Of water must
be furnished, system OF house drainage
paving must be done, trees must be planted,
and many other things scarcely less import
ant will demand atten ion.
1t is apparent that to administer the
affairs OF the growing city so as to produce
the best results the city's council must be
composed Of men deeply interested in the
city's welfare. earnest ald faithful in the
discharge of their pu lie duties and possess
ing good executive ability and sound BUSH
ness Judgment.
Will msn Of this kind be in the majority
In the next council IL citizsns of promi-
nence and Influence wholly neglect NUM-
cipal politicsl OF COURSE not. The chances
are that under such circumstances the
council would be made up largely OF men
unable to appreciate the imp Irtance aud re-
sponsibilities of their positions. and who
would be doing something continually that
would interfere with the c;ty's advance
mentinst. ad OF pursuing policy that would
increase her prosperity.
There are many men who would like to
be members Of the council. but not many
Of them who would 10 of any benefit to
the city. Let the solid men take the interest
in municpl politics which they should.
They car, If they will. so influence the
choices of candidates for councilmen that
the city's interests will not suffer in tbs
hands of che next council,