The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-03-23
CAIRO AND IT'S OPPORTUNITY.

CAIRO AND ITS OPPORTUNITY
There's a great opportunity for pro
gress in Cairo this year Conditions
all favor it and II seems that citizens
feel the impetus and are moving for
material betterments. A number OF
very substantial Improvements are
being made by citizens which are de
manded by The growing business of
the city, Two fine new business
houses are going up on Legee street
by nr. Grinstead and by the Wood
ward Hardware company. some Of
the lumber mills are increasing their
capacity, a new bank haG been start
ed. d third ice factory Is about TO be
established, another wholesale dry
goods firm has begun business.
In addition to this there are
railroad improvements in progress,
and In prospect, which win add
something to the general welfare Of
the community All this indicates an
Industrial and commercial activity
among our citizens. which must mean
something and must count for some
thing in the permanent upbullding OF
the city
Citizens. therefore. are doing their
share. their full duty. as the eondl-
tions demand or Justify; but what is
the city government doing toward
the Improvement Of the city? Leaving
out Of account the completion of Ohio
Levee street, which was planned and
inaugurated under Mayor Wright's
administration. there have been no
public improvements in this city dur
Ing the last year. beyond putting a
few car loads of gravel on streets in
bad condition building few new
crossings and repairing a few wooden
sidewalks Some important improve
ments that We're planned and
provided for have been held
up or utterly neglected by
those to whom the people hado
right to look for intelligent energy in
pushing them through Instead ofobe
ing promoter of material improve
nient and generalprogressin the city,
the leader in the development of its
varied resources, the city's admins
tration has been drag. negecting It's
opportunities, ignoring its duties in
the pressing needs of the city. frit-
tering away its energies In the pur
suit Of administrative yagarics that
brought disgraceful notoriety TO the
city, pursuing wildly fantastic
schemes that forced the city to the
verge of financial bankruptcy. seen.
ingiy for the sole purpose Of serving
the ends Of petty spite or petty poll
ties Such is the record Of the year
What a pity So much needs TO be
done SO much could be done by an
exhibition Of the right spirit and or.
binary good Judgment. The state law
Is favorable 10 cities situated as
Cairo Is. for ordering and making
street Improvements. How long il
will remain 50 Is problematical Very
likely the next general assembly will
change II and Cairo's opportunity will
be gone. The mayor started in splen.
didly, yes Some street improvements
were ordered, the subway was plan
ned and the agreement to build It
bears his signature as mayor Of
Cairo" But because some citizens
objected to certain street improve
ments, therefore these have been al.
lowed to 90 by befault; because the
mayor had a personal grudge against
q leyee commissioner, therefore the
subway has been abandoned and the
city's written contract tepudiated
Why not try to make a fresh start
this second year Of Mayor Winters
administration? Why not urge the
mayor to rise TO the full dignity Of
his position and grasp the opporfuni
ties presented to him to redeem his
administration? All Is not yet lost
Much may yet be done If the mayor
win lay aside his prejudices. be true
10 his reputation as "a good fellow.
harmonic contending elements. es-
pecially in bis council. and be the
mayor Of the whole city. and all the
people IN It not merely Of faction ~
the faction Of looseness in morals and
OF distraction and rstrogression in
the material affairs OF the citv. II
ne will advise more with the cool
headed. practical men In his council
ana be Guided more by his own judg-
mens than ~ his passions, he may
yet DO much good for the city before