The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-18

HOW 10 AtN n 1ffHs
A young gentleman AZ Hanover college,
In1saaa. has won much distinction IA an
oratorlcaI and other prize contests. The
dispatch announcing the fact states that
Als thsFns wgs Our Municipal Problems"
bat does not say whether this was the
theme OF bis Grafton OF one OF the other
exercises. One can readily concesvs OF a
paper, address or essay. especially . sopn-
vnsorle essay, on problems OF municgpAf
government. but IL would not strike the
average citizen as being a particularly
cumulative subject for rhetorical display.
There are supreme moments. such as
shoes experienced by many Yeslsr way
farsrs recently when they sought 90 pick
out thslr feet from bed OF plastic clay.
when the Human intellect can soar 10 tho
highest flights Of apostrophsesl yehe-
aence. bat such occasions call for imme-
date expression and even then II is not
TIA problem which affords inspiration for
the ogatory 50 much as the opportunity
for making fervid and declamatory re-
marks about the csty council
But whether this young gentleman
found IL theme fl to rank with tributes
TO liberty. exordiums to patriotism. or
eutogies upon the giories OF war. or better
fitted to be calmly discussed Ia the priv
aey OF his bed chamber ~ the light OF
the midnight oil after reading newspa-
per reports OF the proceedings OF the Chi
cago city council. his views should be
given TO the public. There - 10 finer fed
FOR the study or tina problems OF munioi-
pal government than ia the halls OF a coli
lega. no period in life whsn impartial. I'M
emhitlcred and dtsinterested views OF the
difficulties OF ruling a great city can be
obtained than in the rosy. joyous days OF
early youth.
When that hllssful period Is passed and
tho hithesoms stgdsnt becomes a city
councilman or a taxpayer his contempia-
ton OF municipal workings - apt 10 be
narre3 and his prsdieatss Jared lie Will
End that there would be no trouble about
running city II the advice Of every ciu-
zen could only be carried Into effect: and
that things ought 10 be done right. ana
IL there is 10 way Of doing them right.
then there ought 10 be. But ne viii nnd
that what Is most needed is a simple.
economical. straightforward course which
shan please everybody
II would be interesting to know how to
give every house owner an iacandescent
light opposite his house with an arc light
az sach intersection. and az the same time
keep the light tax as low as I'm towns
where they have only one light TO every
mile.
Many city oficials would De glad to have
him point out how TO keep The appropriA-
ton for the police down to seven men and
at the Same time patrol every part OF the
municipality. They would also Ike 90
krow bow TO reduce the FIRE department
to The actual needs and al che same time
Keep down the Insurance rates. u l. not
so difficult. perhaps. but stu deserving
OF explanation. how TO keep the streets
welt paved ana clean. and yet not make
che taxpayers feel st IN their pockets.
lie may not De able to discuss It In sn
Grafton. bat Ia might follow up With
&AsNMts raAhNHAAA1 INV 10 NE@A NA~A h's"
seolal evil Hge might tell a perplexed
council how 20 satisfy the church iriiu-
encs aud a. the same tiuls plaeats the
merchants who see thousands and thou
sands % dollars gelnx every month 10
other cities where the authorities recog-
nire ghe fact lhai miners and losgers and
others Will insist upon spending their
money IN dance halls aud saloons. in
smoking and in games OF chance: and that
e they cannot get thess smusements IN
ore pace they win so where they can.
lie might explain 70 these merchants that
Il Is better 20 DC good than 20 have more
business. or "a f3nd II easier - pay the1r
help. their rent. their taxes ana their
church dues; and Il that talented young
gentleman Will Kindly Do this Il may be
added that there Is no amer aoid Tor TIE
display % hts ability than rigat here IN
Seattle.
The problems o. municipal government
call for very earnest attention: bot a
snaa Who eaters upon = term ss city coun-
cUoT utsh a fan confidence in Ms kaowi-
edge - how 20 solve them al. not tn
frequently SLIPS cut Of ths duty ~ the
close - bis time Vtth q firm sas vlrtuous
resoivs never. never 10 - caught RsAia
Ia taat &iud ~ an avsaus 20 pssc~ %
ingaa ana hsFh place 3u the puh.ie esteem.