Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-04-13

Separate to work-to build, but unite for defense.
 The office of Mayor, as are all other offices that are filled by the elective method, belongs to the peo- pie, and it must be used in their interest. A well administered city government is q power for good in the State and for the State. With out obedience to law in the city there will be disregard of it's obli- gations due tue State. Sensitiveness to infractions of the law is the safe guard to any community, whether that body be of city State or nation al existence. and there will be no in- fractions of he law where there is a sound, healthy, public sentiment, such as is created, not to serve a temporary purpose and fade away but such as has it's foundation upon principles that are imbedded in character, upon which is built struc- lures as solid, and with spires as towering, as those that point l from the sacred edifces erected for 1 the worship and to the glory Of the 1 God on high, to whom our silent prayers ascend sisll c ii iiiiiivvtsesftions are addressed.
 1t is Il mistaken idea that voters responsibility ends when that of his creature begins. Manhood may ab- solve from technical allegiance to paternity, but never from the moral obligations 10 righteous counsel. The officer Chat cuts loose from the powers that made him, and plays the role Of dictator, will soon be brought to the bar of disapproy- al. The voter must follow the off cer through accredited agents. and insist that all reasonable expecta- tions should be fully satisfied.
 The Council, as it is termed in this case, are the aids ald supports that the law has wisely seen fit to pro- vide for the officers as well IS the peoples interest. Good government can then be secured through thecom- bined efforts ofcach department, and the interests Of the citizens well cared for
 This aid, l am much pleased to say, the voters have furnished their .f ho 9.e to4. dermen to whom they have commit ted the exegeneies and necessities of government. thank them for this 1 bulwark and tower of strength sup plemented, as it will be, by com petent clerk, d safe treasurer, q just police judge and an atle attorney, conservative i'll judgment and well versed in law.
 But apart from sentiment and | praise, let me turn your thoughts to | the practical suggestions that occur to me, not through the work of a moment, but that have come to me during my intimate relationship | with your municipal affairs during my two years term as Mayor, and a [ like period as member of your Board ! of Public affairs:
 FINANCES OF THE CITY.
 The finances of the city, as con- ducted under the present law, have been managed for the past two years in such manner as not only | to warrant the highest eommendat- ion of all thinking citizens of this city, but have been the means of in- viting the attention of other cities of this State to favorable investi- gation, and with the ultimate view | ,Df adopting similar plans. Follow ing in the wake of the suggestions | offered by me in my outgoing mes- sage to the Council two years ago, | you have been enabled 10 raise the market value of your city warrants | from sixty to ninety cents on the dollar, besides succeeding in raising | the city's commercial credit up to | that standard of par excellence which renders her today the subject | of envy among all of her sister cities in this State. All honor to your efficient Council and outgoing Mayor for this wise and sensible act of fi- nancial legislation. II but remains necessary for you now to continue to uphold and guara closeiy these weli-siefined plans. if you would have your city freed from debt, properly 1 improved and kept abreast with the general wants and needs of the times.
 STREET IMPROVEMENTS