The times., 1899-07-02

bad government under vicious manage
ment, We naturally ask ourselves the ques-
ton, why should reprehensible neutrality
attach itself to a citizenship which is in
all other respects so admirable and so eX-
cellent? Surely if innate apathy alone
prevents an active participation in all pub
lie elections it should quickly disappear
when men interested in the good of their
fellow men realize how active and aggres-
sive are the adversaries of just laws and
just men. Disreputable schemers with
which so many communities are afflicted
are untiring in their endeavors to advance
their own selfish plans, even to the extent
of destroying the very bulwarks of honesty
and morality, and we refuse willfuliy or
indolently to combat vigorously. energet
ically. and successfully these characters,
who are Indifferent alike to State and city.
The responsibility is ours alone, and We
should have the courage to acknowledge
that the fault is not in our stars,
but in ourselves; that we are under
lings.' The enemies of city's
good name are never passive for
moment, they possess a restless activity
that begins a new struggle for supremacy
before the echoes of an old one have been
stilled, with another stimulated by wealth
and pampered by unlocked for political
recognition, they arrogantly assume the
vi anu llt lldudSt-
ment of legislation, by which States are
dishonored and municipalities ruined. De-
feated time after time, crushed again and
again to the earth Antaeus like they gath
er renewed strength and they continue to
furnish to a wondering people the gro
tesque spectacle of laws, violations pre-
scribing laws, and even candidates for the
laws observers. They are outnumbered
by respectable people in every well estab-
lished community, and they should be de-
feated by law-abiding people in every elec-
ton. Mr.. President, I earnestly hope and
confidently expect the present executive
and legislative branches of AleXandria's
government to be in thorough and agree
able accord in all matters appertaning TO
our citys welfare, and there is nothing to
induce the belief that this laudab,e antici
patton will be disappointed Public good,
not public advantage, should be the object
and aim of all legislation. and the slight
est deviation from this course would cause
an intelligent people to quickly notice the
error Our people have ready apprecia-
ton of the difference between measures
intended to benefit the public and ms asures
that are only intended TO deceive the peo-
pie. We have a city council composed Of
representative men whose reputation as
citizens in private life justly entities them
to be looked upon as men too independent
and too discerning to be swayed either in
judgment or action by meddlesome ad-
visors. In fact modern Warwicks who
are so prone to give directions possess an
impudence that is only confounded with
influence and intelligence by people who
live beyond the precincts of our city.
Never by Alexandria's own people. The
members of our council have gratuitously
given their time and services to our peo-
pie, and as custodians OF Alexandria's S
chartered privileges they Will prove faith
full to their trust. With these remarks,
Mr. President and with apology for de-
tanning, / will now, with your kind per-
mission, assume the obligation of my Of
fice."
New Era for Alexandrin.
The reorganization of the city council to-
day is indicative of new era in Alex
andria. 1t means that the town is no
longer to remain at a standstill; that the
citizens, having thoroughly concluded that
the time has come TO take a step forward
in the line of progress, elected set of
gentlemen to the city council who intend
to push the town forward to the posi-
tion of prosperity of up-to-date towns
! which 1t ought to have long ago occupied.
The election of Mr.. Strider as President