Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-05-24
OUTSIDE POINT Of VIEW. ];

{OUTSlDE POINT OF VIEW 4
.-.-s-ss-s-s-s
Written for tho Times Republican.
Starting out with the proposition that
strikes are positive logs to the COM
munity, there Is q chance for the argu-
ment that follows. Admitting at the
same time that strikes are as Inevitable
in the future as they have been disas-
trous in the past, then any reasonable
plan to lessen the bad effects of such att
itempts on the part of laboring men to
raise wages or improve their condition
should be considered. Few will deny
but what that the action OF the civil au-
thorities where strikes occur has much
effect on the strikers and on the disor-
derby element i'll every locality where
such strikes occur. Sometimes the poll
icy pursued by a mayor or chief of police
or even the governor of the state. or in
a few instances the president of the
United States. has much to do with a
deplorable result or a happy solution of
the trouble.
Equally self-evident is it that when
an epidemic OF yellow fever occurs In
our southern cities, the immediate and
prompt action or vacillating policy on
the part of those in authority has eN-
erything to do with the suppression OF
the epidemic. or continuation of the
terrible effects OF the dreaded disease.
Not to go out OF Iowa. all of these re-
marks will apply to the scourge of
smallpox SO prevalent in our state at
this time. Such conditions, whether
caused by strikes yellow fever or small
pox. demand instant action by men
placed in authority. These men have to
deal with other men in abnormal condi-
tons. Such disasters make the individs
ual or the massed individuals subject to
the common law of even sinking the
commonsrights Of the person into a poll
.cy that results in the greatest good TO
the greatest number.
Now all thisis intended to lead up to
the suggestion of more care In the part
of the voters in placing men In author
ity who will be equal to the emergency
when 1t occurs. For instance, at this
writing the big cities of Chicago and
st. Louis are apparently governed by
men who are not fitted for the places
they occupy. Some go further and say
these men are capable Of restoring or
der, have brains and power sufficient to
handle the situation, but being politi-
clans in the worst sense of the word,
temporse and Nacillate. having con-
seriousness that every lnanin every mob
is a voter, and when the day OF possible
reelection comes around such officials
Will lose votes This in itself is still
more damaging statement that these
officials are unfit for the places they oc-
cupy.
To get right down to hard facts. to
personal experience, what is 1t that
elects men to the Offices Of mayor and
council not only in Chicago but in Mar
snalltown. Not only in ST. Louis but
Gilman These Iowa towns are men
toned only as Illustrations not from the
writer's personal knowledge OF any of
the men thus elected. When these men
We're elected, We're they selected because
of supposed ability to handle a mob or
u smallpox epidemic, or were they put
in Office becausasone was q good fellow,
another because he belonged to some Sc
.cret society the third because he be-
longed to some church, the fourth be-
cause he opposed saloons, the fifth be-
cause he favored them. the sixth 10 de-
feat the other candidate who favored
paving the seventh because he was In
favor Of allowing the use OF the side
walks for bicycles. and SO on, whether
COWS should run at large, the curfew
bell ring at 4. 8 or - o'clock. or at all.
whether the license on billiard tables
should be $40 or $50 a year. or should the
Salvation Army be allowed to parade In
the streets, or should we have hitching
posts around the public park?
Now, every one OF the momentous
questions has placed in or kept some
man or men out of the city council.
Men are elected every year to office in
our Iowa cities who do not know
enough tot pour sand in a rat hole.
Such men are voting today in the meet-
ing Of some city council. who are domi-
mated by the stronger minds and will
power OF one or two forceful ones sit
ting with them. Incidcntally 1t may be
added all of this applies to our school
boards. 1t extends into state elections.