Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1892-07-28
THE OPINION OF THE ,COMMU.
NIFTY,

/, The unofficial inquest which the
whole body of citizens are constantly
carrying on upon their own account
in regard to the administration of
public affairs, municipal, State and
National, when it eliminates in a
common conyiction constitutes the
opinion of the community; and when
such an opinion, calmly arrived at,
makes itself manifest no conscien-
tious newspaper should fail to give
it utterance.
Some weeks ago the city admin
istration, in their judgment, found
it necessary to borrow $4,000. When
this became known much surprise
was expressed by our citizens gem
orally, who were under the impress
sion that Goldsboro had funds in
the Treasury.
Following this loan the Board of
Aldermen, who authorized it, appro-
priated $500 thereof to be expended
ON Hermann Park %. At the meet
ing of the Board at which this ap-
preparation was made, there were
eight out of the nine members that
constitute the Board present; of this
number four voted ia favor of and
four voted against the appropriation,
and the Mayor, through the exercise
of his prerogative, united the vote
and the appropriation went. This
action of the Mayor is severely criti-
cised, and SO widespread and pro-
nounced has the censure become that
The ARGUs-not in the spirit of op-
posing public improvements, for that
is one of its hobbies-but by reason
of inadequate appropriation and the
peculiar circumstances surrounding
it, feels itself called upon to voice
the opinion Of the community.
The ARGUS is strongly in favor of
the Park, and longs to see the day
come when it will be beautiful
and pleasant resort for our citizens,
but those who are competent to judge
say, that it would require $1,000 to
give the Park healthful drainage
alone, without the expenditure of a
dollar for the arrangement of the
grounds. This being true, and
proper drainage being the first thing
needful, the meagre appropriation of
$500 at once becomes ridiculous.
But again, and avith emphasis: Are
there not pressing necessities con-
fronting us daily right here in the
city that should be considered and
remedied before a mere lwGatry be-
yond the city limit is SO meagrely
and yet wantonly contributed to P
meagrely, because, as we have stated,
1t would require $1,000 to give even
healthful drainage to the Park; and
wantonly, because the $500 appro-
priated is borrowed money, and
is thus squandered, en- a "tit
cote, for a luxury that will
not be even made serviceable
thereby, while pressing necessities
menacing the health of our commun'
ity, are neglected right here in oul
| midst.
| The ARGUS has no desire to be
severe in this matter. 1t feels kindly
towards the city administration, and
strongly favors public improvements
but when public money is tt
thus expended-and that money 6or
roaeed - the expenditure should
be carried by a preponderance of tht
vote of the Board of Aldermen, and
not by tie vote.
It is to be hoped that the admin
istration, whose integrity Is beyon6
question and whose public spirit WI
cordially commend, will accept thi'
expression of the ''opinion of th'
community" gracefully and be gov
erned accordingly in the future.
i Raleigh, N. C.--Excessive hea
has prevailed here for two day
| - lo- 4bo %har,o0Vo oofo