Daily Kennebec journal., 1898-02-26
The Coming City Election.

and ward caucuSeS to be held the latter
part of next week to nominate cand-
dates for mayor and members of the
city council. our citizens may we'll give
little candid and serious attention 70
the question of candidates. The
Journal has often had occa-
sion TO impress upon its Re
publican readers the Importance Of
a full attendance upon the primaries.
1t is here that all differences of opin-
ions existing within party lines should
be fully and freely expressed. 1t is the
right of every man to entertain his own
views touching candidates. and give
expression to those views in the party
caucus. But it is evident that where d
number of different views exist, .lIl
cannot prevail Our whole system NJ
government is founded upon the rule of
majorities. SO in the primaries this
principle must determine results.
Those candidates VINO secure the sup
port of majority of the voters in
primaries are entitled 10 serve as the
nominees of their party and to receive
the hearty and united support of IFS
members.
1t is right that voters shoul |
he Interested in the municipal affairs of
their city. for it Is a big corporation in
which they are members. 1t is directly
to their interest and advantage that
good men-the best who can be secured
for the pur1osc-shouldi DE selected for
the conduct Of its affairs. They may
well be men Of character. of business
training and experience, and actuated
by desne to serve. without fear on
favor. the best interests Of the munich
age that too many men are Indifferent
to the duties of hip-especially
as they touch the important Interests
that lie Immediately around them, and
in which they should feel a special con-
cefn. II is true. that service for the
city involves a sacrifice of time ana
labor upon the part Of any citizen who
may undertake it, and too often his
best efforts for The welfare of the com
munity, unselfishly and honestly given,
may cal forth criticisms from those
unfamiliar with the facts and circum-
stances under which he has worked.
which are both unmerited and unjust.
But every citizen owes some degree of
fealty to the community in which he
resides. and should stand ready to
make some sacrifices in its behalf. It
is a dispouraemg fact. too often en-
cnuntered that Frequently citizens
who are conceded to he especially
qualified to conduct the affairs of a
city. refuse to permit the use of their
names in the party general
ly upon the ground that the pressure of
their own business affairs is 50 great
that they could not spare the time nee
essary for the proper discharge Of their
duties. in case they should be elected.
The fact remains however. that busy
men, familiar with affairs, trained to
correct methods, and successful in the
conduct of their own private enter
prses are the ones best qualified to
conduct the business of the munich
pality Every effort should be made -
prevail upon such men to serve in the
city government.
Ii should be the endeavor of every
Republican primary to put into the
field the strongest possible ticket. In
this work the views of every member
Of the party are entitled to weight, and
press them with his vote. When this
has been done, and the weight of opin-
ion, as expressed by such votes, has re-
suited in the selection of certain
nominees. the duty of every member
of the party is to give them the benefit,
not only of his vote. but also his active
and earnest personal influence. ma i
ever differences of opinion may exist
should be expressed fully and freely nj
the party primaries. When this has
| been done. let the party line up at the
! polls with unbroken ranks, and present
a solid front to the common enemy.
The Journal would again urge upon
the Republicans of Augusta the I'M
| portance of a personal attendance upon
! the primaries Let no voter remain
/ away May the best men available nc
put in nomination, and then every
member of the party do his full share
in securing for them substantial ma
iority at the polls.
! Confirmation of reported French aH-
| ereSSiuns upon British territory in west
| africa rut a really serious face upon
the situation. 1t is hardy possible thai
III n,,t