The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-11-26
CITY OWNERSHIP AGAIN.

4H0 mo0IlnS at Il0 court House
on Saturday night, "in the interest of
city ownership of the gas plant"
doubtless means that this much vexed
question is to be again forced TO the
front as the chief issue in the ap.
preaching special city election.
The coming year is going to be a
memorable one in the history of lola.
The reorganization of the town as a
city of the second class involves many
changes that will need to be wisely
considered. The matter of public
improvements, forced upon Us by
rapidly increasing population, must
have most painstaking and judicious
attention. The large influx of capital
which we all expect and the opportu-
mites for the location of large enter
prises will bring up questions of pub
lie policy which will demand broad
guaged and sagaciOns treatment on
the part of the representatives of the
city. 1t is unfortunate, therefore,
that the voters of the city should have
any other question to consider except
the single one of picking out the very
best men in all the town for the var
iOus offices, the men best fitted to adj
vance the interests of the town and to
give us clean, strong, business-like
administration. 1t is especially I'M
fortunate in view of the fact that such |
contest would settle nothing. CITY |
ownership was the one issue last |
spring, and yet it was not settled by
that election, although the majority
against was decisive. 1t is here
again. And however clearly it may
be made the issue next January, and
however emphatic may be the MAORI
ty one way or the other, it will not be
settled. Bonds for the purchase of the
gas plant can be voted only at a
special election called for that pur-
pose. Hence the battle will have to
be fought over again, no matter who
may be elected or defeated in the
coming election. 1t would seem as if
the wiser plan, therefore, would be to
make the fight for city ownership in
the way provided by law-and the
way it must finally be made if it is
ever to accomplish anything-and
make it once for all. No matter what
the individual views of the mayor and
may be they must call an
election when a lawful petition
presented demanding it. Why, then,
do not those who favor city ownership
get out petitions and thus bring the
matter to square issue so that it q
may be settled directly and finally? r
Why should the town be continually O
orn up over question which can be il
settled in only one way, when that
way is so plain and simple. 1
If, however, it is decided not to d
all, or attempt to call, a special bond
'lection, but to force city ownership a
10 an issue in this election, then the
REGISTER appeals for a clean, honest, =
God hunaOred campaign. Whether
not the city of lola should own the {
as plant is purely a business aues- :
ion, and there is no reason why diff =
erence of opinion on it should make
len enemies, any more than there is
eason why difference of opinion
bout the value of a town lot should
lake men enemies. There is no more :,
eason why men who believe in city
should accuse those who
o not of being the tool of the CORPORA
on and the enemies of the people
ian there is why those who do not :.
elieve in city ownership should ac- III
lse those who do of being anarchists g
nd thieves. Men differ about a IL
lousand things every day, and yet .
'main good friends. Why cannot I"
9 differ on this gas question without
tterness or malice? 81
The REGISTER does not believe i'm
ther the principle nor the policy of n
ty ownership of the gas plant. But
stating its reasons for this disbelief
as it shall in due time-it will i'm
Ign no mans motives in maintain
g different opinion. This paper
rs always tried to be fair and cour-
Gus in the discussion of public
lestions, and it will rely in this
mpaign, as it always has in the
lst. on candid argument and an hon.
statement of facts. Let us keep
@ peace.