The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-05-08
NOW. IN CONCLUSION

AM w. ~ N.NfA' 49, - -
Having pointed out some Of the
weaknesses of the mayors recent
message to the city council its faults
OF omission and its errors Of assump
ton and Interpretation regarding the
results Of the late election, The Bul
letin feels in humor 20 refer approx
ingly to some Of the features which
the message contains, of which there
are many, and Ii does SO In all sin
cerity, with no tinge OF dstrust of the
mayors motives, realizing that there
il much truth in the saying that ne
who serves the public obliges no
body" and with a desire to disabuse
the mayors mind of the impression
that it can see no good in him, and Il
determined to spend its time hunting
for pebbles to fling at him.
The mayors recommendation as t.
the Improvement of Ohio Leyee street
and Sycamore street Is excellent. All
that he says as to the need of these
Improvements, the benefits the city
would derive from them, il true, and
much more. II is to be hoped that
this suggestion viii find ready re
Spouse in the city council and If it
does not. that the mayor will not be
content with this first suggestion. but
will follow 1t up with urgent talks in
the proper committees,
AS to the Sycamore street subway
the mayor complains that he has been
unjustly criticised and defends hl
refusal to carry out the contract he
had signed. by saying that the coun
Gil was led into 1t without knowing
fully the city's rights in the matter
and that he was outvote1 in his ei
forts to save the city the cost Of huili
ing the loop leyee. He still belieyes
that the city can be saved this ex
pense, and urges the committee ia
take the subject in hand reopen ne
gotiations with the other parties con
cerned and seek to reach an equitable
understanding with them. 1t is much
to be regretted that the city has been
placed in the position of fepudiating
a written contract deliberately made
but II what the mayor says is true, Il
may be taken as an extenuating cir
cnmstance and il may be that some
amicable agreement can be reached
in accordance with the mayors sug
gestion This feeling is borne out
by the mayors statement that the Ii
linois Central officials showed a will
lngness at the previous negotiations
10 bear part Of the cost of the levee
Nothing could be more commend
able than the suggestion that tn
street improvements be taken NJ
where they were dropped nearly
year ago, and that proper precautions
be taken to prepare the ordinance
carefully, 50 that no ground may b.,
left for objection from a legal poin
OF view, also that citizens join in ar
effort to keep the streets clean; that
additions be made 10 the fine depart
ment; that Improvements be made in
the drainage system, especially In The
upper part Of the city. with an addi
tional pump at Thirty.fonrth street
all these are good suggestions
No less important ana merii9rious
Is the mayors expressed desire fof
more and cheaper light both gas ana
electric, IN the streets and Tor privat,
use; and while he is probably in @,
ror in saying that the Cairo City Ca.
company's charter rights have beer
forfeited and is certainly in error in
assuming that the question Of estab.
fishing a municipal electric lighting
plant was squarely and fairly present
ed 70 the people at the recent election,
and was carried, yet his suggestion.
on these subjects are worthy Of care
iul attention from the city council
and If anything can be- ACCOMPLISHED
in spite Of the city's distressing G1au
cial condition, that viii insure Nh,
public good service at less cost #
should certainly be done.
But the mayor is particularly happ,
IN his concluding sentences. We ma,
overlook bis complaint that there arc
certain persons who can see nj,
good in any effort he may make 70,
the good Of the city. is a fantastic hal
Inclination, or the natural suspicious ot
one who Is himself open to some criij
cism; but il there are any such per
sons they must be hard hearted. IN
deed, and quite beyond the pale Of
thai forgiveness which. sooner OF
lsteT, al must ask. If they decline ID
accept the olive branch held ont +,
them In the following paragraph:
! want to uphoild the town as
much as possible I do not want
The III viii of any psrson ar an
class Of persons. It is for the
benefit Of all the people of Cairo
that We all pail together with