The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1904-03-16
SHOULD SELECT GOOD MEN
Problems of City Government
and Public Franchises
Demand Best Men for Council Regard.
less Of Politics-"Citizen- Makes
Some Suggestions Particularly Pert.
iRent al This Time.

To the Editor of the NEw DOMINION:
The problem Of selecting a body o
officers to conduct our municipal at
fairs, is one of such great momen
and importance that it is entitled
to the serious consideration OF ever,
citizen of Murgantown. The objec
should be to select such meu as arr
most fit to handle the reins OF GU
city government, regardless of theil
party politics or preludices. Tae,
should be men well versed in th,
theories and principles OF public
finance and Political economy, and es
peci:lly at present should they b. IA
miliar with that phrase OF the above
sciences which deals with the subject
OF public franchises and natural mo.
nopolles. Above all they should bt
good, broad minded, and up-tcl-date
business men.
do not believe that the question
OF national politics has~any bearing
on the subject Whatever. The coun.
Gil OF our city will never be called upon
to deal with the questions OF imperial
ism, trusts, or monetary standards.
Neither will they as city council, have
a voice 10 determining the attitude
our county will assume 10 the Eastern
turmoil. But they will have to deal
with the questions OF city revenues
and expenditures, franchises, fire and
sanitary regulations, a competent po-
lice force, aud innumerable other
questions Of vital Importance to Nor
gantown Aud their opinions and
beliefs as to questions OF Q political
nature are In no manner evidence of
their capacity to conduct the affairs of
our city.
/ do not believe that a greater mis-
take could be made than to select a
city council on strictly party lines.
And more especially when that idea
is carried TO such extremes as it was
at the primary Saturday, when men
were selected many OF whom had no
other bid for the nomination than the
mere fact they had heretofore voted
the Republican ticket. No doubt
that was noble act and worthy Of
great commentator and reward, but
let Us not sacrifice the future and the
dignity OF our city for the mere sake
OF rewarding these noble patriots for
their heroism. Let US erect mnnu-
ment to their memory aud bare our
heads when / their august presence,
but let us not burden and hinder the
progress Of Morgantown In our mad
desire to do them homage.
l WOULD appeal to the political
ring which has in the past been so
Jealous to place partisan ticket in
the deld, il you must continue this
practice in the future, in the name Of
all thas is good aud holy, select repre-
sentative men, men capable OF fulfill
ing the duties of office, II elected, and
don't use this ticket as tool or rleans
OF encouraging and strengthening
some OF the weak AID wavering hreth
ren. The fact that man can con-
duet grocery, or livery or any other
private business Is no sign that be Is
equipped for running the affairs
of growing city like ours. And the
fact that good Republican is out OF
a job is no excuse for electing him to
such an important and responsible po-
sition as that of Councilman. MIR
gantown can hot shibe as city
among other municipalities with any
more brilliancy than the individuals
who frame aud control her policy
shine among their fellow men. And
il she is to be known As an up-to-date
and cultured city she must be gov
erned by Up-to-date AMI cultured men.
l main .ain, with all the yehemence
possess, that The ticket named on
last Saturday does net, as whele,
constitute body ~ meB which is
representative of the spirit OF progress
and advahcemenJ which We would
have our city assume, and believe 1t
is the imperative duty OF every loyal
citizen, regardless Of party bias and
prejudice, to attend the meeting to he
held in the opera house Dext Satur
day, aud assist in selecting ticket,
composed OF men fitted TO iii the pc
sitions, whether Republican or Demo-
cratic, or both. CITIZEN.