The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-04-10
A TRUST AND NOTA SNAP
As Such Public ONCE Is Termed By
Rev. Mr.. Reid.
TALE OF A CUNNING SHEEP
How It Hlbsrnated In a Snow Drift
and Awaited the Approach of
Spring to Make Known It's
HabItation.


usually large congregation in Elks' hall
Sunday morning on sGood Government
Tor the City," His text was the 18th verse
OF the 2,st chapterof Revelations: "And
tho city lieth foursquare." After dis
cussing the growth OF urban population in
America and describing an ideal city gov
ernmcnt, which. he said, he was optimistic
enough to believe would be attained. Mr..
Rcid called attention to several proposed
reforms and particularly to non-partisan
government, saying: --s
Among those who have given the mat
ter attention from the standpoint Of tho
public good, there is a practical consensus
OF opinion that the city 10 not a political
division, but that il is rather in the nature
OF a business corporation, and that there
fore 1t should be managed on business,
and not on political principles. This
point wish to discuss at acme greater
length than the others. The management
OF the affairs of the city is not politics, it
Is business; and tits going to be either
bad business or good business according
to the zeal, intelligence and principle pos
sessed and exercised by the voters. But
the possession and exercise of these
qualifications must not be disturbed by
alien Influences; and the introduction of
partisan politics into the sphere of mu-
nicipal affairs is the most disturbing alien
influence that plays havoc with them. We
shall do well to ponder these wise words
of Washington, found in the farewell ad-
dress: The common and continual mis-
chiefs OF the spirit of party are sufficient
TO make 1t the interest and duty of wise
people to discourage and restrain it. 1t
serves always to distruct the public coun-
ellis, and enfeeble the public administra-
ton. 1t agitates the community with ILL
founded jealousies and false alarms
kindles the animosity of one party against
another"
How prophetic seem these words in their
application TO the baleful relation exist
ing between partisan politics and our
municipal governments. The conduct of
municipal elections on partisan lines, APP
pealing to partisan motives, is distinctly
to the public damage. We can all see il.
1t Is for the benefit of nobody in the
community but a handful of professional
politicians. 1t serves no combined inter-
est except that of now one. now another,
political party. and il does this by exploit
ing the city. 1t has come to pass in many
cities that government of the boss, or of
the ring, has been, in great measure, sub
stituted for government of the people.
<hh1 81 aGCuotOtHGu uaNe the DeODl0 De-
come to this state of affairs that there is
great deal of confusion in the public
mind regarding the ends for which gov
eminent is instituted. We need, perhaps,
to be reminded that it is the interest of
the office, not that of the official, which is
the main consideration. The question
ought never to be. Whose turn is il next
to fill this Office ?" but only this, "wherc
is the man who will most faithfully and
efficiently perform the duties of this Of
fcef" Not because he wants the office,
but because the office wants him, should
be the ground of bestowai. A city cleo.
ton ought not to be used to "recognize''
this or that party, or element, or faction.
DR. individual who is supposed to have
claims" For the. sake of all that is
priced in our national inheritance and
iestiny, the only interest that has claims
m this regard is the interest of the COM
nunity in its length and breadth. Let us
earn the lesson that public office is not a
private snap, but a public trust. and get
orever rid of the pernicious view that il
s plum" to be maneuvered and bar
.ained for.
do not say that the candidates for city
'iiices should not be party men. do not
wen say that they may not be party !
nominees. l only say that the party
Initiation has absolutely no bearing on |
he question of fitness to discharge the |
lutIes of city Office. Character and |
bility are the exclusive considerations to |
'e held In view. To vote either for or |
gainst a candidate for mayor or alder |
ian merely becaus Q he is a republican,
e de mocrat, or populist. is extremely |
oolish. You might as well vote accord |
n tn. H@ .lr.x~ II
r their height, or the church they belong |
0. or any other irrelevant peculiarity.
The speaker said that he realized that
official parties are inevitable, but they
ave aought to do with municipal affairs.
is men we want--men of proved capa-
ity and honesty, who can refuse a favor.
'hich would be against public policy, to
is best friend. There should be but one j
arty in municipal politics-the party of
ood government. To attain this is
coded, more than reform, q moral stim-
las. majority of the people is intelli-
ent and honest and an infusion of civic
IN is needed to cause them to take active
ltcrest I'm the business of the city.
IL Is vol for US to think of these things
nd to keep thinking. II we will only
link to the point, and not give up, we
hall end by doing ksomething-not every
ling all at once, but some one useful
ling, at least; and after that something
lrther. And 50 will come an increase of
vic consciousness and civic spirit that |
III allow US no rest until the affairs OF
10 city are as we'll ordered as the best |
'nducted private business within its
orders; until the atmosphere OF tho city
in every way coagenial to the high
4 Developments of its schools and its
'mes. and 10 the cultivation of every !
AGO and virtue in its citizens. Do YOU
y that this contamination is n long I
ny of? Well. 1t is just as far from US I
We are from ii. II is we. ourselves.
10 maintain the distance. The noun '
in will not come to Us Let ms, then, go
the mountain:
PIN up the gaps In our files,
Strengthen the wavering line.
'Siabllsh. continue our march:
On 10 the bound Of the waste. :