Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1902-02-18
CHURCH PETITION.
Council Criticised for Ignoring
Church People.
An Open Letter On City Affairs
And The Eleven o clock
Closing Law.

I Isuppose it will not be accounted
treason, at least by the masses of
of the citizens of Hopkinsville, to
inquire what action the city coun
Gil, the guardians of the people S
interest, has taken upon the petition
presented by Mr.. James West some
time ago from the congregations of
the various churches in the city.
1t has been said that after the pcti.
ton was read, "a member of the
council asked Mr.. West if the peti-
tion was concurred in by all of the
city churches, and without further
notice the matter was passed over,
after the council had been assured
by the gentleman presenting the
petition, that the pastor of the only
church not joining in it assured
him of his full sympathy with the
II o'clock closing ordinance. Ger
tainly great many good people
are interested in this petition, and
are in earnest about pressing the
matter, aud 1t seems incredible that
the guardians OF the people"
would disregard their obligations
to those whom they are supposed to
represent, unless indeed they are
under obligations to another class
preceding these they we're sup
posed to assume at the time the peo-
pie elected them to Office.
Most people have been taught to
believe that the organization of so
ciety into cities, counties. &c, is to
promote the we'll being of people
to promote right and punish wrong;
and it would hardly seem necessa-
ry to require an oath upon entering
Office to secure this sole object; and
yet, on account of the weakness of
human nature, l suppose-to give a
man all the inspiration that comes
from a solemn oath, and help him
by solemn warning to crush any
temptation from within or without
that can draw him away from this
single and plain road, our wise an
cestors added this to the obligation
practically acknowledged when one
agrees to accept place of trust as
the agent of the people.
To add an additional safeguard
both to the people and officials
would it not be wise to publish the
proceedings in full of every council
meeting in some or all of our city
papers? It might help to stiffen the
backbone Of some weak brother
when he felt giving away under
the strain that might be beating
against his uprightness and loyal
ty; and then besides it would keep
the people informed fully as to the
work done and planned for future
by its servants. l have no doubt
the papers would all gladly well
come these offerings from the news
field, and then the city could be
spared the expense, if this feature
should thus be thought worthy of
consideration.
Is is a serious question of doubt
with many of us in these days
whether servants and masters have
not changed posItions-whether Of
ficials are still the servants of the
people. or whether the people are
the servants.
We might have these doubts set
at rest-at least for Hopkinsville-
should our honorable council listen
to the voice OF the people and ac-
knowledge themselves still the SER
wants and not the master. If they
are not the servants of the people,
then we would like to askwhose ser
wants they are? They can answer
in the next meeting; and we trust
they will prove loyal to the people.
LAW AND ORDER.