The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-09-29
A DISGRACEFUL ACT.

Such boldness rs the House of Delegates dis
played in choking the garbage reduction bill To death
IL an insult TO public opinion for which there
is sufficient explanation. In the House there is
a combine of so-cailed legislators Of alleged repre-
sentatives of honest. taxpaying constituents which
deies the expressed desires and appeals Of the adj
ministration and Of the whole community: which
slavishly obeys the interests Of system which
has been instrumental for years. in corrupiing the
public service. As if the business and political af-
fairs Of contractors and disrepuable padrones
were paramount to the common and the municipal
good this aggregation killed this reform measure
without xcruple or fear.
In killing this bill the combine broke the organic
law Of the city. opposed the administration and
affronted the people Of st. Louis. Are the MEM
bers who have NO acted willing to he classed as
serfs of the pernicious power welded by expert
despoilers Of official character and pagers Of public
funds?
The bill is dead: it cannot he brought up again.
The obstructive Delegates apparently enjoy their
discomfting work. The administration is forced To
devise other plans TO meet the requirements of
householders. and. above ALL to put end TO the
influence Of a monopolistic And the people
are silent but angry.
This public silence will not last long. The feel
ing against the House for this action will be signi
fed In some vigorous manner. The Delegates who
are responsible must he taught the lesson of respect
for the people. II the House, present consti-
tuted will not respect public opinion. public opin-
ion can create House which will do so.
The people OF every ward must make the per-
sonal record Of their Delegate personal matter;
the people must convince every recalcitrant
legislator that he is not Mt liberty act contrary
to public interests. II is the time TO organ
ize civic associations in the wards for the special
elected by the people to serve the municipality i'm
plies by his acts either that he is incapable Of doing
this or that he cannot distinguish between the pub
lie welfare and private advantage, that he lacks
in civic virtue. F
There is doubt that in killing the BILL the gang
did not help the city, whatever the motives may
have been. The gang did not help the city. ad-
here TO approved standards Of legislative process.
In violating the Charter by holding this bill longer
than the permissible time of n0nactiOn. The gang
did not help the cty.sin killing bill which con-
templated q garbage-reduction SYSTEM which would
only result in improved service but in releasing
the city from monopoly. The gang did not far
any conscientious citizen see, promote public
or municipal interests.
1t devolves upon the people Of st. Louis. and
especially upon civic organizations. to pick ont the
offenders In the House and to exploit their offenses.
Insolent defiance Of popular Demands and disregard
OF beneficial plans cannot be tolerated The public
make these Delegates suffer, and it should make
them suffer. Otherwise the gang in the House will
continue to do not as the public pleases but Il
or its master pleases