The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1899-03-18
NExT MUNlCLPAL ELEc-
TON


gun to betray umistakable eviden-
ces of ebullition and aspirants for
the marshalship ard various other
positions Of trust or emoiument are
even now bending every energy in
efforts to form combinations which |
will advance their personal and pc
cuniary interests. While nothing |
definite can be learned as to the
stage of development which marks |
the progress of these as yet en-
at least one has secured the nomi-
nation of an entire ticket. Whether
this faction has also perfected ar
engagements for the election of the
predetermined and it is not the Pur
pose of this article to discuss the
question. 1t is safe to say that self
interest is one of the strongest mo-
tives governing human action and
no surprise need be expressed when
men endeavor to further their Pc
cuniary or material welfare. All
honorable efforts are lauda0le and
it is therefore in no spirit of con-
domination that The Gazette offers
few suggestions pertinent to the
issues involved.
In tie first place, the election Of
city administration for the town
of Lafayette is a matter OF grave
public importance and by no means
should be left to the tender mercies
of any man or set of men intent
primarily UPON the qualification of
personal ambition or the acquisition
of pelf at the public expense. 1t
of this city, for years to allow its
entire machinery to be controlled
and m AIDE subservient to the will OF
some politician sufficiently shrewd
Council and mayor pledged to do
his bidding. Some wears ago, this
practice was relegated to the back
ground by the regular nomination
of municipal ticket by the people
in public meeting. The administra-
ton then selected certainly deserve
praise for the honest, economical
| and business-like manner in which it
conducted the city's affairs. Later
another set of officers were chosen,
and while severe criticisms have
been expressed as to their manage
ment, yet any fair minded citizen
will consider the peculiar and al
most insuperable difficulties with
which the present administration
has beer confronted ever since its
induction into office.
No doubt there exist just grounds
for many complaints and possibly
some better selection of officers
could have been made. However,
let our people give the devil his
due, and address themselves to the
problem of rectifying existing evils
and securing the future by the Sc
lection of a municipal ticket whose
personnel shall be guarantee
against all that savors of favoritisn
or maIadministration. This is {
matter that appeals to all good Cit
zens irrespective of factional diff.
ferences and should receive thought.
full consideration as it is of vita
importance to the welfare and pros
perity of the entire munity.
There is too much at stake for the
public generally, too much at stake
for the business and professional
men, to permit one or two designing
politicians to manipulate and con.
troll the entire municipal govern
4 ment from mayor down. And ye
if nothing is done TO prevent it, this
will inevitably follow. The proper
remedy therefore lies in the promp'
and intelligent consideration of the
subject by our people in order te
arrive at some satisfactory solution
Let there he an earnest, we'll.
directed effort made to place in
Epower true and tried men. whose
character shall be a pledge for the
faithful and judicious exercise o.
all vested authority: