St. Landry democrat., 1891-05-16
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
The discussion of the subject of munich
pal government is one which should re-
ceive large attention just at this time.
when there Is such striving 90 the part
of country people to bring about a form
in our governmental affairs in State ard
Nation. 1t is beginning to be recognized
By the farming element that their eres,
hindrance in bringing about reforms is
the corrupt element in the large towns
and cities, being controlled by corrupt
party leaders.
In ord-r to rid themselves of this els-
men', it is necessary for the farming ele-
ment aud the better element in the cities
to unite their forces and stand shoulder to
shoulder. A State government may be
Administered nically or extrava-
RantIy ana lot seriously affect the county:
on the otneA naud. N city government CO
ruptly administered affects the entire sur
rounding country. 1t has much to do
with public .r1er, the security of property
and the comfort of the people all around
The cities are the centers of wealth, and
from them wealth is distributed. The
city government that distributes this wealth
by its corfu ptlon disturbs the surrounding
country.
The new census shows that the concen
tration of population in cities, which at
tracted attention tw, decades ago, is NOV
ing on at a greater rate than ever. The
cities are not only drawing fr,m abroad q
population that is largely naturally cor
rups, but the people of the agricultural
districts are IN many sections moving into
the cities. In number of States, es-
pecislly in the West, many counties show
d. crease in population, while the cities
have continued 70 grow.
This centenng of wealth In our cities
Makes them the ceater of power and in
fnense, and this power and influence is
& ling either for good or for evil If thsst
cities are governed by good, honest ano
true men. it will be for the good of the
cities As we'll as OF tho country as far a,
the influence of these cities reaches Or
the other hand. If these cities are differed
and cu"4tr' led by a corrupt sdministr alton
men who are full of evil themselves ane
care lothlng what becomes of the country
then this power and influence is for evil.
1t is matter of great importance thai
cities should be well governed. 1t is .
matter OF great concern that these cite.
with corrupt governments should be res
cued from the plofe. SIGNALS who admins
ter the government for the sole purpose o
making fortunes by the sale of their off
cisl authority.
Almost every young and growing city II
called upon more or less to -nterta',
measures looking to certain j., provemenls
And in many Cases, We arc s-rry to say
this authority sets p.lce. which is moth
Ing more tnah bride, beiore such measure
cau receive their endorsement When thi
is the case. almost any good inca. ure ma,
he defeated by such governments If the.
do not cater to the wishes of those IL
authority measures which would re-
dound to the benefit not only of the city
but the surrounding country. On tn
o1her hand. little bribing with such cor
rups administrations may fasten any ba'
Ii easure on the city, to its detriment AM
| to the evil of the surrounding country
City governments Of corrupt nature un
IS taken In hand by the better elemsn
-tor- fhev have too strongly fastene'
th~m> elves. must In tine b. overthrow
b, Pc ular sol WILSON'S a thing greatly t
'e av idyS. as they accomplish goo.
through great evil.
Municipal government ought to b
steady and equable, and it can be made 81
oaly by the active and earnest participa
ton of the classes who have the welfar,
Of the city at stake.