The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-11-05
SHOULD BE CONFIRMED,

city council on Monday night wore its
war paint. 1t refused on what might
be called a party vote to confirm at
that time the nomination of Samuel
Kelley as building inspector in place
Of S. H. Robinson. removed.
The first sign of hostility to the
a member of the committee on Off
ces and elections refused to sign the
resolution of confirmation. Open hos
tility broke out when the question was
put to vote, the political lines being
drawn as strongly as to admit of no
doubt that the Republican aldermen
intend, for the first time, to defeat the
aims of the mayor in filling the offices
with his own advisors.
1t was claimed by those who fought
the measure that Mayor Cullum prom
Used to retain Mr.. Robinson for one
year. Since the aldermen did not take
the trouble to investigate this report
the matter was retired to the table for
one week, when it will again be taken
up and it is reported finally disposed
of. ,,
Just why the Republican aldermen
wish to thwart the mayor at this time
the World is unable to see. All the
other appointees handed to the council
last spring were confirmed without
even a discussion, the word having
been given out by Republican politi-
clans that Mayor Cullum was to have
full swing in his appointments. Far
ing inspector were the positions Of city
engineer, health commissioner and at
passed along without the slightest OBJ
lection. 1t is strange that in the wan
ing days Of the mayors first year the
aldermen should experience such re-
markable change of heart, and were
the air not surcharged at this time
with politics and politicians the thing
would be little short of marvellous.
If 1t is POLITICAL scheme, 1t falls of
its own weight. The mayor alone is
responsible for his appointments,
whether they are good, bad or indif-
fercnt. If he selects an incompetent
man for office he will be obliged to
answer for it when he stands on his
record before the voters for reelection.
On the other hand, it is easy to see
that if the council refusejs to confirm
his appointments he will be able to say
to the voters if he decides to ask their
support again, Il tried to institute re-
forms where needed, but it was the Re-
publican council who prevented me
from doing Sc by refusing to confirm
my appointments" thus Justly throw
ing the penalty for his own mistakes,
If they prove to be such, on the oppo-
site political party. The World does
not believe that the change suggested
by the mayor is mistake. We are
only using an illustration that may
come to pass.
The Labor World sympathizes with
Inspector Robinson. He is advanced in
years, is poor man, and we believe
needs the salary. It is we'll known,
however, that little else can be said in
his favor. There are many things, of
glazing Importance, that we could well
have brought about for the public
safety and welfare. When asked why
he has not done SO he said that certain
mark that it would injure the building
operations in the city.
No good law was ever passed that
somebody was not injured; but behind
the few toes that were trod upon were
thousands who benefited, by the
change. The interests of the few must
necessarily be sacrificed for the bene-
fit Of the many. This is shown in the
calarnities that have crowded SO close
ly upon one another during the pres
ent year. commencing practically with
the Iroquois theater and the Slocun,
disaster. Had the principals in these
terrible events been compelled to fur
nish protection to human lives, how
different would have been the result!
Mr.. Robinson may have many good
ideas about unsafe buildings, fire
escapes and the proper enforcement oil
existing building ordinances, but so faa
as the council knows he has kept them
to himself. One must search the rec
ords for several years back TO- find
suggestions from the building inspecto,
to the council. That body has not even
had the opportunity to turn him down