San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-02-13
MONDAYS LESSON.

settled several things, not the least
Of them being the determination OF
the people to rid themselves OF the
opprobrium that attaches to any
city openly and VIGOROUSLY in the
hands Of a combine. San Antonio
bu ness and hard horse sense h ave
triumphed over the combination
in city and county office holding
that for at least ten years have
been considered invincible. This
fact of itself is sufficient to charac-
terize the Monday election as one
opening a new era in the modern
history OF the city. That every
effort that it was in the power Of
the interested spoilsmen to make
was made is apparent. Those efforts
even extending to the dragooning
into the service of the ring certain
members of the state legislature
who have thereby disgraced their
constituencies and rendered them
selves the laughing stock Of the
state. 1t is we'll that even this I'M
heard Of measure Of party, or at
tempted party, coercion was in
voked, as it demonstrates the
utter inability Of all the forces Of
the opposition to override the will
of the people when that will was
expressed with unity and firmness.
That this election ia the end Of
ring rule in county or city mat
ters is not for moment imagined,
but it is shown that the intrench-
ed enemy is not as invulnerable as
was imagined. The fact OF victory
over such elements, as were com.
bined against the existing city
administration, is Of itself
an assurance OF the power
of the people to break
the heads Of all combinations not
exercising their strength for the
public good. 1t speaks in language
that cannot be misunderstood that
the future government Of this city
must be more representative Of the
L, foh inf ~
the city than the past has been.
That no considerations of personal
feeling or friendship is going to
elect in the future those whose
part and lot has been cast with the
representatives Of the non-business
classes. The coherency Of the
tickets, the almost straight vot-
ing, the few names scratched,
all show that the forces are we'll
defined and that there are to be
fewer assertions to the enemy in
days to come than in days past.
That there were some as good men
on the defeated ticket as on the
elected one no one denies, but these
men were in the wrong company,
they were representing the wrong
idea Of municipal government, they
were the opponents Of the views Of
the leaders Of the oligarchy and as
such were condemned to stand or
fall with their leaders and assocl-
ates. Personal popularity was not
enough to elect against such odds,
and it will grow less and less so.
The men who were out OF harmony
with the head of the present city
administration are now out Of seats
at the Council board and there
will be less friction. The work Of
the City Council will be harmo-
NOUS, and what differences of
opinion develop will be over mat
tiers Of real policy without any Of
the bitterness of contention for
future place. 1t is now in order
for the elected council to arm it.
self with all the wisdom in organ
ization that it can command and
so devise and execute for the best
interests Of the city as to confirm
the wisdom Of their selection. They
must remember that they are only
representatives Of the city and only
its interests are to be considered in
any and all matters that arise.
There Is work cut out for that