The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1893-02-17

results, for the rate of taxation depends
largely upon the management of the
city machinery. The lower the taxes.
other things being equal, the more read
ny VIII we. as well rs stranges, invest in
honles and make substantial and sure
our progress. Our mayor should be a
man OF principle and strict integrity. A
clean man and cnphatically free from all
alilllations with any particular ring
clique, or combination.
Nothing would SO lend distrust and
offer disgust to strangers seeking to cast
their fortunes with US az to see the bust.
ness affairs of our municipal government
inf cnced by any man or combination
OF men. Let the conduct of its affairs
be free and unaffected by any but the
natural, legitimate. and laudable in.
fluences that should control, and two
years of such administration would SO
cndear itself to the people that ward
heelers in our city elections would find
no place and we would choose such
agents only as would be fitted for the
work regardless of political influence.
Our mayor should be a man who has
no axe to grind-one who would not, pos
sibly could not, use his official position
~ t'Ni 'ip I l'Audi InttJtblS 10 tIlt
detriment of the public in general. He
should be of little prejudice yet Of great
firmness. One who, knowing his duty.
dared 10 do it. Have our agents en-
acted laws that are undesirable? Then
repeal them. Are all of our laws whole.
some n conducive to our best inter
ests? Then enforce them. He should
be Il man VINO can and will sacrifice, TO a
.rYn .Ntn,t LIZ, .,., ,,,-,
and devote his time TO those of the city.
But you say such an eyaction would
include the poor and possibly the better
qualified from holding that office. My
reply Is pay our agents 4 salary that will
justify competent men to discharge these
duties properly, even 1T the sacrifice
OF ncglccting their personal interests.
lhe past. and our observation of the
conduct If other municipalities. has GER
tainly demonstrated to us the necessity
Of having such men in charge. \ few
thousand dollars expended in TINS iii
rcction annually will yield ten fold
greater fruits that If used in unncccs-
sarlly changing the grades of certain
streets with every appearance of IA new
moon. What | have said of the mayor
applies with equal force to every member
of the council. Eliminate the detrinent-
al ingredient, politics from consideration
and then choose men best fitted for the
places. Let us induce qualified men to
act, men whose fitness recommends
them, rather than select those vino seek
the places under cover of being 'men-
toned by their 'friends.' Surely our
city affords ample material to build such
IA craft of business safety and vigilance;
and 1t Is the taxpayers fault if it is not
done.
For once we might consider ourselves
one Large copartncrshlp. organized for
the purpose of building IA great ard
grand city al little expense, each men,
Der striving to advance the interests
of the firm and thus promoting
his W welfare. Are we such
narrow-minded, mean, little, selfish par
~tizans, that we will not leave off politics
to further our own interests: Do you
not know that if pursued upon lines of
former pnlitics-that of placing Oppos-
ing political tickets in the iield-our
best qualified citizens will be loath to
ent5r the contest of blood and broil. and
that the balance OF power in naming our
agents for these responsible positions Of
trust in the approaching election will lie
with men who have no thought or regard
for our interests on the morrow? Men
who care nothing about the city or its
just SO they reap the reward
mcrltcd by ii pull on election day:
Is il possible that we will neglect to
foster our interests when the road is SO
broad and plain: Why not, through the
central committees OF otherwise. arrange
for IA mammuuth mass meeting at the
opera house and there in the f|ulIncss of
name our agents who will re
fleet credit on us and inspire confidence
IN strangers.