Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-04-07
AN OPEN LETTER.


TO the Editor OF the Optic.
LAS VEGAS, N. NJ, April lib, 1897.
Permit me TO say through your paper
a few words to the people OF the city
First. / wish TO express 70 those friends,
one and all. who, yesterday, manifest.
cd their confidence Ia mcs my most
earnest thanks. For two years l have NIL
cd the Office OF mayor and had no desire
for nomination or election, but me
wishes OF friends under conditions that
developed, seemed to require that they
should have their own way.
II must be apparent to all That tne
Office is personally and professionally
a detriment, requiring much time tnas
could be ~proftably devoted to my per-
sonal and professional interests. In
addition, an energetic discharge OF
official duty necessarily creates antag-
onism detrimental to an Individual 10
his business; Notwithstanding this, l
felt for two years willing to contribute
nv mite toward the development OF
Las Vegas, but expecting to retire ~
the end Of that Time, and only for the
circumstances we'll known TO exist,
would I have consented to continue for
an additional year. 1 expect to live
and die here. All my interests are 10
this city and 1t has been my most
I earnest wish that the municipality
should grow and prosper, and become
one of the leading cities, and the very
best In the Territory. That / have
made mistakes is without doubt, bul
they have not been Intentional, u !
shall not be able to escape mistakes 10
the future. 1t lie often o difficult ques
ton to decide exactly what 10 best e
be done. In the year that 10 to come
criticism must be expected, that 10 thu
lot OF all charged with public duty
especially where improvements arr
being made, about which men MAJ
differ, and calling for expenditure from
property owners. nN
The hard contest Of yesterday wa
manly a friendly one and those who sup
ported the opposition ticket, a rest as
sured that I entertain for them nothing
but friendly feelings. 1t 10 the RICH
of men to differ and to express thei
differences. My relations with tn
head of the opposition ticket have al
ways been and | hope may continue Q
the most friendly character.
The battle is over. All around. lie
} bye cones be of the past, and let u
unite together In Q friendly an
harmonious spirit to build up Las We
gas. Instead of criticism, let rs hav
unity of spirit. A common interes
binds us together. With n hear
!, and united hands, let us pull togethe
, Ito make of this City q place so attract
i've, so ~hospitable toward strangers
that those who come as visitors, vii
remain as residents.
To the retiring city council and eac
member, | hereby express my thank
for cordial cooperation, and for to
zeal always manifested by the councl
for the public welfare. To the inconl
ing council, I express the hope that
, will become o band of brothers, read
TO make all personal sacrifice needle
. to push Las Vegas to the front. Street
are to be graded, cutters placed, park
beauti6ed, sidewalks renewed, crosi
! ings replaced, streets opened and In
improvements OF various kinds carrie
: out. In this work 1t 10 earnestly to |
hoped that we shall all, council, ma,
or, officials and people, unite togethe
and work h~armoniously for the con
mon good.
q Permit me again to express m
thanks to the people Of Las Vegas K
cooperation and support. and 70 sta
that under no circumstances will |
r a candidate for reelection, but for 1t
coming year will do my utmost TO G.
, operate with my fellow citizens in at
vancing and promoting the growth
: the greater Las Vegas.
F. E. OLNEY.