The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1906-04-06
The New City Government.

suit of Mondays city election it seems
reasonably certain to the most casual
observer that the contest was decided
according to what the majority of voters
believed to be for the best business in
terests of the city during the coming
year. The fact that a normally large
republican majority in the. city was
turned to give Mayor Parkill larger
majority than on either of the two pre-
vious occasions when he has been elect
ed, and that in the face of the fact that
nothing except good could be said of the
regular republican nominee, shows that
the voters of the city are in no mood to
be tritied with, and was splendid en-
dorsement of Mayor Parkill.
An examination of the results in the
various wards in the election of alder
men shows further that the voters, the
majority of them, were equally determ-
ined to put an end to any continued
blockading of business and policies
which they elected the mayor with the
express purpose of having carried out,
at least so far as many of the most i'm
portant policies are concerned. But one
regularly nominated republican alder
man was elected and in this case, that of
Alderman Rigley. of the fourth ward,
the same fact was shown which the cleo
ton of the mayor and the citizens can
didates for aldermen in the other wards
brought out-the confidence of the vot-
ers in the absolute integrity and the un-
questioned ability of their candidate
and the desire to retain his services in
the new administration. In ward
ordinarily republican,, the same voters
who gave Alderman Rigley the magnifi-
cent endorsement Ct which he has such
just reason to be proud, also came with.
in two votes of giving Mayor Parkill q
majority for reelection, showing con-
clusively the appreciation the voters of
this ward in general have of the worth
of these two men.
1t is worthy of note in passing that
matter of supervisors to represent the
city, while the defeat of the republican
candidate for treasurer seems to have
been, so far as can be seen, due to the
fact that he was one of the retiring
members Of the board rather than to
any lack of confidence in him personal
ly. AS to the republican nominee for
clerk, the fact that he had been a mem
Der of the committees which had audit
ed Clerk Edwards books and reported
them all right alone can account for his
defeat. The whole city election was
the expression, not so much of distrust
however, and condemnation, of the re-
publican candidates as an expression
Of the determination to cut loose from
any other influence than the mere con
sideration of securing the best and most
untrammelled city administration for
the coming year.
The result is evident. The voters ex-
pect better administration than that
of last year. They have their eyes on
the administration and have shown q
disposition to place the blame for any
thwarting of their wishes where it be-
longs They have reelected Mayor Par
kill and by so doing have expressed
confidence in him which is not only
highly complimentary to that officer
but which demands consideration on
the part of council. members. They
have also plainly indicated that they
wish the members of the council to
stand with him, giving him a chance to
make his administration for the coming
year what they think he win make it If
properly supported. They have also
shown by their temper what they may
do another year with any who may de-
feat their purposes during the coming
year. 1t is Mayor Parkill's admins
tration and his appointees, unless men,
bers of the council have absolute in
formation of their total unfitness,
should be confirmed. If the appointees
do not make good it will be charged to
the mayor anyway, not to the council,
and the people have plainly said that
they wish the mayor 10 have the chance
to try.
The voters of the city look to both
the mayor and the council to forget
past differences and work together this
year for the common good. They have
the right to expect this, and THE TIMES
repeats, judging from the temper
shown at this election, they will judge
for themselves another year whether the
members Of this years council have been
serving them or have been using their
trusts for their own selfish ends and in
opposition to their wishes.
All good citizens wish to see Owosso
continue to grow and improve. Let all
citizens, council, and Mayor alike,
yes, and even the press and newspapers
correspondents-do their best to support
each other and carry out such policies
as will build up the city at home and