The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-10

Investments here, and we drive it away
by the litter and refuse in our alleys ano
the forlorn condition OF many of our
streets and sidewalks. 1t is OF compar-
atively little matter, Vt would SEEM
whether the ordinances or the otllclals
are at fault. We are not likely to nave
any remedy, while the present condition
of municipal affairs holds good. 50 long
as national politics are obtruded INTO
the management of municipal BUSINESS
with which they have no legitimate con
Germ, so long are tho best interests OF
the city and the citizens going to be lost
or neglected in the shuttle. The Official
who owes his berth to his ability IN po~
litical wire pulling and the influence OF
political ward bosses, is not going to
trouble himself very much about the
complaints of the sovereign people. The
citizens of this or any other town, 1t they
want their grievances remedied. must
take hold of affairs in a very different
way from the present style, They have
simply to decide what are their
crying needs, and then elect men to
office pledged to find the necessary rem
edies. Democratic and republican prln-
ciples are all very we'll in their place,
but there are few citizens of the United
States who do not know that neither of
them was ever yet a shining success in
the control of municipal business.
Our correspondent may tind a valu-
able hint in the citizens organization
recently formed in New York city. Rec
ognizing the helplessness or the indiHer~
renee OF the municipal authorities with
a political bee in their bonnet, it has
decided to go to work on practical lines.
Some of the leading mon of the city are
in outspoken sympathy with the move,
ment. Prof. c. +. Chandler. of Colum-
bia college, is the first president of the
association, and Bishop Potter, Arch
bishop Corrigan. DR.. John Hall and
others have fallen into line, ready for
active work. Experience has taught
them the utter uselessness OF individual
appeals to otlicialdom for clean streets.
and so they have set themselves to work
on a business basis. Headquarters have
been opened, and the Street, Cleaning
Aid society proposes to make its office a
bureau of complaints. Every citizen
who suffers from street uncleanllness,
whether caused by municipal neglect or
individual violations of street regula-
tions, is cordially invited to call and
make his grievance known, and, il the
proper remedy is not forthcoming from
the proper quarter, the society proposes
to find out the reason why.
In order that the work may be still
more et~fectual, the society intends to
enter upon an aggressive campaign.
They hope to ecure n volunteer in
on each block in the city. He
is not to be burdened with any onerous
tain a general supervision Of particular
streets and to report beth municipal
and individual nuisances.
The tens of thousands of people who
show themselves indifferent to c%leanli-
ness are to be informed by circular what
the law requires of them, and every
householder is to be- instructed as to
the disposition Of household garb age.
In fact, the society proposes to work
through the people for the people.
Helena is, perhaps, not in a position
to incur the expense the New Workers
are prepared to meet. but there is a
germ Of great value IN the scheme we
have outlined. Our correspondent will
ecure for himself the good will and the
thanks of many Of his fellow citizens if
he will take off his coat and go to work
in earnest to secure a band of volunteer
inspectors. Every member can consti-
tute himself a peripatetic office, and the
crusaders of cleanliness can lombard
the proper officials with complaints, un-
til they may have the good fortune to
fairly worry them INTO action. Results
have been attained before this by reason
of much asking.