San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-03-22
CONTRIBUTED SCRAPS.
Written for the LIGHT.

| hSg 10 D"O MAUI W
know and understand the true
facts in reference to the sewer con-
tract.
They are most C ertainly entitled
to be informed as to the real status
of things. Mystery and concealment
are not becoming in public officers
and always afford handle for ex-
aggerated reports, unfriendly COM
ments and scandals. There is al
ways something suspicious in
mystery and non-committalism on
the part Of public officers, although
they may proceed from a contempt
for the people.
Has Mr.. Hindry forfeited his
contract? Has the council declared
said contract to be forfeited? Has
Mr.. Hindry executed the local
bond, which was required by the
| Council? 1t was given out that the
first bond was insufficient in
amount and designed to be merely
temporary.
Has Mr.. Hindry sublet and sold
| his sewer contract, and will he
pocket a nice little sum by this
deal? Has the Council approved
and ratified this subletting by Mr..
Hindry?
These are questions which the
people desire to have explained.
They are entitled to the eXplana-
tions from the city government.
Hocus pocus will not go down with
the people, and mystery breeds
doubts and suspicious. Frank
ness and above-board conduct are
the trump cards in the hands of
public officers. They never fail to
take the trick and secure the hon
ors, too.
"The council proce edings are as
dumb as an oyster and as silent as
the grave" about the status of the
sewer contract. The council have
pigeon-holed the subject. The mat
ter has not been so much as men,
toned in the council.
Why all this studied reserve and
unbroken reticence on the part of
the council, in the sewer contract
matter? 1t is indiscreet and I'M
wise in the highest degree, and it
is also most unsatisfactory and
disappointing to the people OF our
city.
They had not the remotest no.
ton that the present city govern
ment would enshroud itself in
mystery and entrench itself behind
a reserve and reticence. They are
disappointed.
From all accounts, the work on
the sewers is being daily prose-
ecuted, but no one knows who is
prosecuting the work. Is Mr.. Hin
dry the real, bona fide contractor,
and has he executed a good and
sufficient bond? Is he the ostensi.
BILE contractor, or has he sold and
sublet his contract to other par
ties?
Is the city government aware
that Mr.. Hindry has sublet and
sold his contract, AMI is secretly
playing into his hand, in order to
enable him to realize profit of
$4,000? This mystery aud reserve
are damaging the city government
and with good reason.
Let tn 9 people have clear in
sight into all the facts about this
most singular sewer affair; let
them be made acquainted with the
true status of the sewer contract.
| They are entitled to this
full and frank explanation,
and the city council will
repent in sackcloth and ashes,
should it refuse to give such an eX-
PLANTATION to the people and con-
tinue the unwise policy of envelop-
ing itself in mystery and entrench-
ing itself behind reserve and re-
ticence.
Agents should conceal nothing
from their principals and employ
ers. The city officers are the agents
and servants Of the people, and as
such Loyalty bound to give them
full information and to keep them
fully posted.
| 1t is burdensome to the taXpay-
ers for the city government to keep
Engineer Gray here at $50 and his
expenses per day, in addition to
the large sum stipulated to be paid
him for his plane, maps, etc. He
should be allowed to leave cat once,
il not sooner" Economy in the
expenditure Of public funds is a
shining virtue, at all times, but it
has been so out of fashion for many
years that it would just now be
"good for the sore eyes,"
| The people are Of the opinion the
cutting down of salaries should
have hnrnn at the ton and dnscand.