The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-11-26

hAhOh IOiifHS OiiOhitNiih.
In few weeks more Mayor Potter
viii succeed himself and begin hii
second term in mis- present Office. II
is for him 60 decide whether hi,
new record will be repetition of hi,
old one or whether he shall make foi
himself a name worthy of his abilities
and worthy of the great Importance OF
his office.
The urgent need of reforms and of an
energetic administration Of public
affairs has been pointed out SO re-
Gently in these columns that no ex.
tended reference need be made TO them.
But there is a truth manifested in the re-
cent municipal election which has an
important bearing on these questions of
the hour. The campaign was not
fought strictly on party lines. Per
sonal qualities We're pertinently dis
cussed, and most Of all the question was
Tor progressive government.
That being the only issue which was
presented, the minority vote upon it
was so nearly equal to the majority
that the wishes of the former should
have scarcely less weight with the
mayor-eIect than those of the latter.
To those who voted against him, not
less than TO those who voted for him, he
owes duty. The head of a city gov
ernment represents no party, nor
strictly speaking does he represent the
majority Of the voters only. He stands
rather for the whole community, and if
his administration is to be anything
more than that of spokesman and
political machine, he must recognize
alike the wishes of all the elements
which unite to make the whole body of
10 Is with special stress on this
thought that we call Mr.. Potter's atten-
tlon not only to the numerical strength
of the minority, but to its character and
relative importance in those elements
which tend1o make city prosperous.
Mr.. Potter's majority is not .OOS of per
cent of the total vote. The six wards
which recorded their vote against him
md in favor of aggressive administra-
lion represent not only four.fifths of the
invested capital in the city, but repre-
sent at least that many of its successful
business men. They are the men who
argely pay for the city's improvements
md contribute to its growth, and they
IRE entitled, to some extent at least, TO
nave their wishes needed in shaping the |
curse of the executives action.
If it were true, however, that the re-
naming four wards were in favor of |
Lag4natinn III city affairs there would be
rood grounds for delay in public affairs;
'ut such is not the case. Nine-tenths
# the voters in all of the wards of the
ity are in favor Of progress. Mr.. Pot
ers own party is just as earnest on
his point as the Republicans. There is
10 mistaking the sentiment of the citi-
ems as a whole. They are one and all
ctive and alert, and they want their
mayor TO be energetic as well.
These sentiments are not new. They
ave of course prevailed for long time
Ut the reason that Mr.. Potter has not
eeded them has been probably due to
pardonable desire for a second term
nd a tendency to listen to the e.,:yice of
me of the less respectable elements of
IS party. But now the crisis is past.
is second term is assured and the op-
'rtunity lies before him. 1t remains !
r him alone to say whether he will
'ten to the dictates of his better judg- $
ent and vigorously prosecute the need
improvements which the people want t
whether he will let himself be guild c
longer by those who seek personal {
vantage rather than public good. G