Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1896-04-06
WORDS IN SEASON.

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day for this city. The people will
then decide at the polls whether East
Las Vegas shall, for the ensuing year,
keep alive the spirit OF Improvement
which has marked the past twelve
months, or whether tho city manage
ment is to be entrusted to new and un-
tried hands. 1t is no time 10 expert
ment on new and visionary theories,
to enter upon schemes for the purchase
4 lands for the city upon which to
run experimental stations, by a new
and untried mayor, but rather an ex-
cellent time to keep right on with a
first. class business administration,
which ran point out on every hand
decided benefits for Las Vegas as the
result of the goUd, business. like man
agement OF the past year.
The solution of the tramp question
alone should entitle the old city ad-
ministration to the endorsement OF the
people at the polls. L. is a bard thing
to turn a man away, If he IL a tramp,
for among the many who will not
work, and who adopt tramping as a
mean Of living without, there are
some who are unfortunate, and no
man who is willing to work should be
allowed to suffer for food or clothes.
The establishment of the soup kitchen
and the opportunity for every man
willing to work on the streets, to get a
meal, has not only been profitable to
the city, but it has given every man,
no difference how poor, an opportu
nifty to relieve himself from hunger,
and has relieved our people from all
obligation to contribute a meal to
every tramp that comes to their doors.
The number of this class who have
called at the doors of our residents,
the last year, has been less than ever
before. The announcement to the
daily caller that he could be fed at the
city kitchen and pay therefor in work,
has been enough to reduce the number
of such calls to the minimum. This
arrangement has given food to the
worthy and driven out those, to a
great extent, who would rather starye
than labor. 1t is a move in the right
direction. While providing for the
worthy and needy, it relieves the citi-
zsn and furnishes work -or the streets.
Give an endorsement, tomorrow, to
this measure for the public relief.
THE OPTIC adopted as its motto for
this city campaign, "Let well enough
alone.n We believe the motto express
ses a truth that will commend itself to
the voters of the city of all parties. No
good business mar would think of dis
charging a faithful helper, who had
been efficient and helpful. Why is
this not a sound principle in public nf-
When a public official is found
able and willing to look after the public
interest why discharge him for new and
untried men. Patrick Henry said, 81
know Of no way of judging of the fu-
ture but by the past" This express
sion is often quoted and always with
approval. There is no more certain
mode Of determining what a man will
do, than by looking over his life work
and then make his past the basis of
Judgment, as TO his future work.
Judged by this standard, what may
Las Vegas expect in the current year,
by a reelection of the preset mayor
In the prime of life, for ten years a CIT
izsn of Las Vegas, a property holder
who has proven his faith in lis future
by investing his means in permanent
city property, q mar who pays his
debts as promptly as they become due,
who brides himself on his word and
verbal promise is as sacredlY
kept as his written obligation, a prac-
tical business man, who never procras-
t~inates, but who does a thing instantly
when it needs dong, and does it we'll.
He is a citizen who is proud of his city
and wants 1t TO become %populous,
beautiful and great and who is willing
to spend literally of his time and money
to make it so, who has already by his
past acts proven his liberality both in
time and money for the advancement
of the Greater Las Vegas. Here prop
erty owners and citizens are bound to-
by a common interest.
Las Vegas, that has done SO we'll in
the days of depression, should arouse
herself for future action. "Let we'll
enough alone Maintain the city adj
ministration by a majority and by an
endorsement hat will say to all future
officials, "Stand by Las Vegas and she
will stand by you.H
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