The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-04-03
THE ISSUE sQuARELY JOINED.


II there had been any doubt as Il
what the paramount Issue would be
before the people of Cairo in the com
ing city election for aldermen, 1t has
been dispelled.
1t was almost dispelled on Thurs
day morning when the mayor himself
personally procured the circulation OF
nomination papers for ex-Alderman
Calvin v. Neff as candidate for al
derman In the First ward, to succeed
Alderman Hasenjaeger.
It was completely dispelled yester
day morning when various friends OF
ex-Alderman VIM McHale prevailed
upon that gentleman to make the race
against Mr. Neff. and his nomination
papers we're at once circulated.
These two mon present the ISSUE
as strlkingly as IL could be portray
I'd In letters of fire upon the clouds.
They present the issue not In theii
personalities. not In their private
characters. not In their general
standing as citizens, not in their rel
alive Intelligence and experience In
public affairs; for both are perhaps
on an equal footing in that regard
generally speaking.
But they present the issue in the
records they have made as members
Of the city council of Cairo in past
years---the one AGAINST public i'm
provements; the other FOR public
improvements.
No two men could be found In
Cairo whose words and deeds como
more nearly offering black and
white contrast. in relation to this
most important Of all subjects which
confront every community possessed
OF proper ambition to grow and i'm
prove. and make life within its Dor
ders worth the living.
Mr. Neff as alderman and as
private cstizeb hasbeen a consistent
opponent of public improvements
and. being a shrewd man, controlling
the large property interests accumu
lated and left by his father, has al
ways been able to WELD more thar
ordinary influence to thwart the ef
forts OF those who sought to build
sidewalks. pave streets. lay sewers
or make concessions TO gain import
ent industrial or commercial enter.
prises. He was able 10 gain
some following in his attitude in the
city council, not by point blank oppo
stion to proposed improvements, but
by cleverly planned delays. based
upon objections to minor details-by
all the methods known to q good par
Humanitarian. to make the power of
the small minority effective In oh
structing the business of legislative
body. The number OF projects for The
upbuilding of the city which Mr.. Neff
has been able to defeat is consider
able and the injury that has resulted
10 the community in the way of ar.
rested or retarded progress is meal
culable.
On the other hand. Mr.. McHale. ia
miliarly known as Bill McHale
stands for progress in city affairs. He
was member of the city council dur
ing the years of the city's transition
from wooden sidewalks on stills. t.
brick and stone walks. from streets
Of mud and muck to paved streets.
from frame barracks to brick blocks
from rickety bowels to beautiful res
licences: from cisterns and water bar
rcis. to water works; from mule cars
10 electric railways: from putrid
stagnant pools. to healthy drainage.
And Bill McIIaie was the consistent
advocate of all; hard. effective
worker always TO bring about thac
various changes. lie has seen the city