Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1892-01-28

/ Y. sted bv Law in the council OF city OF
the third class is that Of appointing men
to hold the subordinate offices IN their
municipality. In performing this duty,
the appointing power is supposed TO seiec'
( for ss,o... posirious men characterized by
natural fitness, by honesty and acquired
good standing in the community, ana so
far as it ia possible, by experience ID the
work to deyolve upon them DId the
council at its meeting last "Wednesday
night carry this plan into its WORK, or on
/ the other hand, did not each member
show plainly that qualifications OF can
didaies for several OF the places, and the
wishes OF their constituents. were made
subservient to their personal ends! Loud
and long comes the response to this
query, and 1t is not favorable to those
men in whom the people now too well
realize that they have misplaced their
confidence.
Trades were made. almost without at
tempt at conceaIment, by which votes
we're east by members Of the council for
men whose comparative untitness Tor
/ the position was we'll known, and -as this
not done so that certain pets and retain
ers OF these officials might in turn be
elected to places of emolument and ease?
such an action on the part of body
of men trusted by the people and sworn
to prove themselves worthy Of this trust
is deplorable and deplored, and in no I'M
certain tone will the indignation of the
people be expressed
Perhaps the moet fragrant instance of
this trading business exists in the case OF
city clerk. The gentleman who was
ousted from that position had also been
secretary Of the board OF trade, and both
Of these positions he had filed with such
marked ability that he was universally
recognized as the most competent and
obliging official either Office had ever
known. He had been among us for
years, and here had built his home. At
all times he had been formoet in matters
of public enterprise and the town is bet
ter for his having lived IN it. His sup
pOrters were legion; his opposers I'M
known Despite these facts, and in ORDER
that protege of one member of the coun-
Gil might receive an easy and remunera-
tive position in connection with our street
and water system, for which, by the way,
ne is in no way fitted, sIr. Mack was I'M
mercifully traded off and in his place was
elected q man who is hardly qualified by
length o. residence to vote.
Ii ability and zeal in the administration
OF public trusts is to be thus repaid, poor
indeed is the reward OF faithful service.
Only two OF the men who filed the ap-
poiniive positions under our municipal
government during the past year have
been retained and the present admins
tration reflect no credit upon themselves
by any of the changes made.
!, If the deeds of our council up to the
! present time are to be taken as an index
} OF their future conduct in office, they will
lot unfrequently have the broad light d
] day cast upon their action, and the force
OF the old time assertion to the effect tina,
. official heads do not rest altogether easy
will be felt by them.
The people OF Aberdeen call upon theil
servants in the city council to as far a:
: possible correct the mistakes made up tS
date, and warn them to be extremely care
full in the futuIe.
INDIGNANT CITIZEN.