The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1892-04-14
SELFISH POLITICS.

The news comes from Washington
that Duncan Campbell has been APP
painted superintendent OF the S.
lima public building, which means
that Charley Wilmsrth, who was
appointed some time last fall to the
same position, has been overthrown.
Now on this subject the JOURNAL
wishes to say q word. 1t has been
patent to the close observer, ever
since a move was first made to Sc
cure for Sslina United States build
ing, that there has been two factions
at work In this matter for selfish
purposes only, and that purpose was
reimbursement in political stand
ing.
IL It was necessary to advance
the interests OF q certain faction that
proceedings on the government
building be delayed, the wishes Of
the citizens OF Salina were not taken
into account, but the work was very
promptly postponed. Even before
the act, giving US this sppropris-
ton, became law, these selfish par
tisans sho we'd their hands, and it was
only by the united strength Of repre-
sentative citizens OF all parties, that
the law was finally passed. Certain
parties would even then have delay
ed the matter, hoping for more
favorable time to call IL up,
and thereby gain q good share OF
credit for themselves, when the facts
are, IL the act bad not been passed at
the time IL was, Salina never would
have got il passed. We have waited
patiently now for nearly two years
for work to start on this important
Improvement, and yet nothing has
been done.
Last summer when Mr.. Will
mzrth was appointed suPerin-
tendent, everybody was under the
impression that something would
be done. But no, the appointment,
IL seems, did not suit some people,
and again the struggle for preference
began, until after six months more
delay, Mr.. Wiimarth has been GUS
ted, and Mr.. Campbell put in. As to
the qualifications OF the two gentle
men for the position, we will say
they are equal. Both are eminently
well qualified to boss the job, and
draw their salary. But nine-tentbs
of the people OF Salina do not care
who the superintendent Is, what
they want Is the building, and this
struggle that has been going on for
the last twelve months to secure a
Job for this friend or that, and has
been the direct means OF causing
great delay In the erection Of the
building, has annoyed and almost
Disguised the average citizen who
has only the welfare Of the city at
heart.
That q town and a commu-
ity should be made to suffer delays
aud dIsappointments simply because
tOhc iSooSAo cSS
fit to interfere for selfish purposes,
is wrong, and should be promptly
sat down upon by the people. Ii
Salina ever wants to secure anything
in q political or commercial way,
she must first-throttle these selfish
factiouai elements. Her people
must get together and work as enc
united whole, and then she will be
recognized as a power, in what ever
Is undertaken, aud not till then.
After Mr.. Wilmarth was appointed
Il would have been better to have
kept quiet, and only urged that work
be Immediately commenced. But
now that Mr.. Campbell has been APP
pointed, IL we want work to begin this
season, we should in the same spirit
accept the result, and urge all par
ties interested to let the matter rest
where IL Is, else we will wait another
twelve month for the work to be
commenced