The Cairo bulletin., 1904-03-17
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.

In the absence of the required an.
nual message from the present may
or, perhaps some suggestions of value
may be found in the following intro
ductory paragraphs Of a message de-
livered to the city council of Cairo or
the evening of March iS, 1867. by
Hon. Jno. FL Oberly, then mayor OF
Cairo, and editor Of The Bulletin. His
argument in favor of good municipal
government as an important factor In
household happiness is TO the point
and timely:
Just inside the threshold of new
official year in the history of Cairo.
you have met together in your official
capacity this evening to enter upon
the discharge of the important duties
which your fellow etizenshave im-
posed upon you. This occasion is
therefore one of more than ordinary
moment and feel impelled TO avail
myself Of the opportunity which il af-
fords me to call your attention to
matters, in my opinion, bearing upon
the interests of your constituents, and
also to certain measures OF local poi
Icy which, in the language Of the
charter, deem expedient for the ad.
vantage of the city
Local Government.
"Ge1tlelon, the position you occu-
py as councilmen Is one of RESPONSE
bility. The character OF its citizen
and the advantages Of it's locat.cn
have much TO do with the growta Of
city; but there are many causes be-
yond the control Of the citizens. and
altogether independent Of its location
which may contribute to its growth
and prosperity. II the men who en-.
act its ordinances and those whose
duty it is to execute the will of the
municipal legislature. are able and
honest, no city is fortunate and its in.
terests will not be retarded, but lie
fostered with care and skill. The
federal and state governments are al
o great distance from us, are clothed
with something like mystery, and q
the casual observer seem TO be the
fountain from which household hap
pincss as well as national greatness
flows; but an analysis Of cause and
effect in chr American system OF
politics would prove that the LOCAL
govcrnmentsIof our land--the govs-u-
mentgHof the townships, counties and
cities--bring either happiness or dis
content to the household within their
influence; that, In fact, these act
upon, give tone to and make up The
character Of the grander government
of the states and union When the
municipal corporation Is we'll gov
erned. the people who compose it
have little reason to complain, even
though the nation is controlled by
corruption and fanaticism, or domi
neered over by epaulated ignorance;
but when the municipality is led by
extravaganza. thoughtlessness and
corruption, the people who compose
it will have gbod cause of complaint
even though consummate statesman
ship, honesty and sterling patriotism
give shape to the policies Of the cen
trail government. If there IS truth in
this proposition, and | am at loss
to surmise who can doubt its sound.
ness, nothing could be more difficult
than the naming of position Of
greater responsibility than that which
YOU are now entering a position re
quiring cool headed deliberation. tact
and wisdom, and from which even
the suspicion of corruption and The
folly Of prejudice should be summar-
lily excluded. J am cure. gentlemen.
you will meet the responsibilities Of
the position wisely and perform It's
duties we'll"