Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1893-12-22
HdYOR BELL.

terday's esteemed Commercial, Mayor
D. c. Bell takes the GRAPHIC to task
for two articles published last week
in our local columns touching adj
versely upon the question of raising
money by an improvement district
for the purpose of building a new
city hall. We had heard before
that Mayor Bell had prepared such
an article for the public press, and,
in consequence, our city editor was
instructed to call on Mayor Bell
with a view of getting the article in
question for publication in the DAILY
GRAPHIC, but, through personal ia
voritism, Mayor Bells letter APP
peared exclusively in the columns of
the Commercial. The GRAPHIC has
always felt friendly toward Mayor
Bell, and, sympathizing with the
difficulties attending his Office, we
have not been prone to eriticise his
administration, although, it must be
confessed, it has not been above
criticism or reproach. In what the
DAILY GRAPHIC has said in opposi-
ton to the establishment of an inn
proyement district for the purpose
of building a city hall, we have dealt
only with a fact, and not a theory
The articles were written by the
city editor aud appeared in our To-
cal columns, and Mayor Bells per-
sonal animadversions of the
editor of the GRAPHIC were,
the refore, very unseemly and
inappropriate. The GRAPHIC is not
disposed to antagonize any progress
i've movement, but the articles in
question fully reflect the editors
sentiments Mayor Bell, in his eff
forts to beautify the city and build a
monument to his administration, is
possessed of a laudable ambition.
We would be glad to see q new city
hall built on the site of the present
disgraceful old rookery that would
be admired by all observers, and an
edifice so imposing that it would eX-
cite the pride and command the en-
thusiastic admiration of all Pine
Bluffians. Nay, more; We would be
glad to see a public edifice built on
every square, our streets improved
and our side walks beautified until
modern Pine Bluff rivaled the beauty
| of A thens in the time of Pericles.
But, if Mayor Bell desires to pose as
a modern Pericles, he has selected a
most inauspicious time for the ae-
complishment of his laudable deeds
We are in the midst of panic, the
| like of which has never been wit
messed in the history of our country,
and, in consequence of which, all
business and enterprise is in sore
depression Our citizens are bur
dened with the highest taxation al
lowed by the Constitution, in addi-
ton to which, they have volun tarily
taken upon themselves additional
burdens for street, sewer and other
improvements. In addition to these
is the present high rate of insur-
ance, all of which combined make a.
burden too heavy to be borne in
a time Of sore depression by our
/ property holders and business men.
Every business is taxed to its utter
most extremity to make s'bucllle
and tongue meet, and, atsuch a pc
Rod, any thing that partakes. Of the
nature of an additional burden
serves to cypress our citizens
Mayor Bells enterprise can we'll
afford to wait until the present panic,
which prevails throughout the en-
tire country, has blown over, and
until more flush period shall. have
arrived At present we are, indi-
viduallyan and collectively, confronted
with necessities; anything that par
takes of the nature of a luxury can
we'll be postponed until some more
suspicious time.
Mayor Bells statement of the re-
contained nothing new. But, to the
rehectiLe mind, it is somewhat as
tonishing that it should require
s41,976 per annum to defray the
running expenses Of the city govern
ment