The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-02-22
A SUFFERING TAXPAYER.

/ To the Editor of the Eagle:
A word regarding the approaching mu'
nicipal election. From conversations
heard on the streets and street cars unani
nous expression is heard that the coming
council should be made up of our repre-.
sentative men, in whom the people will
have confidence, both as to their ability
and honesty to rightly handle the many
important questions that will have to be
settled, and can only be properly adjusted
by council that have no other interest to
subserve but the public good.
Ii we hope to gain the confidence of the
outside world in Wichita as a commercial
center, and a safe place for home it will
only be done when our best people
rise up enmasse and assert them
selves, and place in our council
chamber such men, who by the mere
mer tion of their names will inspire con-
fidence in the administration of municipal
affairs. We have reached crisis in our
history, time that tax payers must have
some assurance that the city expenditures
shall be reduced to the lowest possible
limit consistent with holding our import
ant position as the best city in Kansas.
Just so long as our people treat lightly
thess municipal elections, just so often
may we expect II repetition of the jasperite
paying swindie-and such other jobbery
as will knock at the door of our council
for ''favors."
Our largest tax payers and prominent
business men are referred to as among
our leading citizens" This is a misnomer
as applied to the average property owner.
These same leading citizens" who growl
hardest and complain the bitterest after
election is over" in place of leading" the
people in an honest fight for good city
government are themselves lied" by ward
bummers and Office seekers.
If we hope to hold our own we must in
sist upon taking the control of affairs"
out of such hands.
"Our leading citizens" should be leaders
indeed, and by the most hearty co-opera-
tion with all decent law abiding citizens
place in our munisipal chairs men of ex.
perience in business and financial matters,
that our council shall not be a reproach
but an honor to our city.
The contemplate methods resorted to
and the expense attached to the race Tor
Office" makes it almost impossible for an
honorable man to enter the race. He can
not without compromising his dignity and
own self respect, as well AS that of his
affairs the bummers run the machine, 3"
aud our leading citizens" allow them
selves 10 De but tools to help the boodlers
into office.
While | believe l am as intense and
! loyal a Republican as we editor" ever
dare be-and the reports from the half
breeds" at Topeka has only intensified my
Republicsnism-yet l can but feel that in
municipal matters we should drop party
lines and unite rs one man in placing IN
our city legislature clean, capable, honest
men.
Now, Mr.. Editor. let Us agitate this
matter at once and by some concert of
action, before it may be too late unite on
some worthy man, and let every man ego
into the fray" determined to win for an
honest administration of city finsnces
Citizens. wake upl The time for action
has arrived What say you; shall we have
a council worthy of the city We love
4 SUFFERING TAXPAYER