Mexico weekly ledger., 1903-01-15


obtain. Thus 1t is seen that anything
that tends to destroy division OF labor
destroys the agency by which most Of
our leisure and opportunity for enjoy
ment are obtained. So II the people
operate their own electric light plant
it will be an added duty to be attended
to, detracting from the energy and
thought that would otherwise be
spent In adding to their efficiency in
their chosen occupation and thus
partially depriying them of the power
by which to obtain enjoyment, beyond
~encroaching upon that small amount
of time available for qualifications. 1t
may be said in opposition that many
persons have the leisure TO spend In
the assisting Of the operation of such
a plant not only without any injury
to themselves, but may make 10 q
means Of some enjoyment to oil I'M
occupied time. However. in refuta-
tion Of such a statement it is clear
that a majority Of the citizens Of this
city have enough to occupy them
without the added amount Of lab,r Of
managing an electric light pant,
an added amount of labor which would
be detrimental to them Further
more, at this period Of social progress,
on account of probable difficulties
from corruption, there could be no
pleasure in such. au activity.
On the other hand, If 1t has been
shown conclusiyely that the added
duty of the management OF an electric
light plant would be detrimental to
effort in other branches Of industry
and would cause attendant evils be-
sides impairing such effort, conversely,
1t is just as true that effort in other
branches OF industry needing such IN
divided attention TO be properly per-
formed, would, If the other industries
be not neglected to a great extent, in
turn interfere with the proper man
agement Of an electric light plant.
Thus IL is seen that either the every
day business would be properly done
and the public business suffer a great
deal, or vice versa; or time and effort
being more equally divided between
the two, both would suffer TO the
point of bad management with its
accompanying bad effects.
The next objection to municipal
ownership is one too well known to
need explanation. Because OF the
great opportunities ii offers for max
ing dishonest gain, municipal politics
is in a great many instances infested
TO a large extent by those members Of
society with selfish ends in view; and
there is no particular cas- that the
politics Of Mexico should be exempt at
all times from this practice. AS long
as such a class Of humanity exists,
public corruption is liable to steal
upon US at any time, no matter how
secur the present or the outlook for
the future. OF its bad effects every
one knows without their being COM
mented upon.
Again, when a city Of 5000 inhabi-
tants undertakes to Jointly own and
operate an industry at this stage Of
social progress, their sO-called social
consciousness, +" that is, their reeogni-
tion Of their common ~interests-is
altogether too undeyeloped for right
management. There are too many
people with wrong interests and preju-
dices that conflict. with one another
or with the proper interests, for the
progressive management of an electric
lighting plant. or course, it is not
denied that at this time the interests
will slowly unite and forward move
ments be made as each question pre-
sents itself, but not nearly as cum
plete and satisfactory results eau be
obtained nor can nearly as much
progress in improvement aud adapta.
bility to needs be acc mplished, as 10
a plant owned by me person or a
corporation composed OF only a few
persons. No better Illus ration can
be given than how large numbers If
the people will pursue a political, idea
causing contention for years before
abandoning it for the proper course
The incessant political strife from the
township Office up ~ the presi-
dency are an evidence Of 1t.
In regard to the bonding Of the city
the anne objections may be inter
posed as are given against any mort
gage, with the further very important
considerations, that, II as stated 10 the
preceding paragraphs. there are proba-
bilities OF bad management, the pay
ment Of the bonds will be deferred
BY that bad management, and also as
yet forth in that paragraph treating u {
The division Of labor, by the extra
Of managing the plant the (
;apaclty for individual effort will be :
impaired, thus in another way deter
ring the payment OF the bonds. For
4 a man, because OF the extra and
iiferent species OF labor called for In
managing an electric light plant, has !
ability impaired, Of course be can !
not as readily earn the tax money for i
payment OF the public debt. In ad-
iition TO the arguments Just shown :
.'oncerning the payment Of the bonds !.