Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1906-12-13

July II, and proved a money-maker
from the start. The city officials are
looking forward to profit of 10 per
cent. at the end of the fiscal year.
Every conductor and motorman on
the system is required to sign a pledge
that he will not drink or gamble, on or
off duty, while he is working for the
city. They must also declare to the
mayor that they are morally clean
When any provision of this pledge is
violated 1t is understood that the Of
fender, by his own action, has severed
his connection with the municipality.
The traction department is under the
direction of G. A. Downey, who is re.
sponsible to the mayor. The water
power and light systems are directed
by j. N. Stafford, who also reports to
the chief executive. A. ]. Renaud is
secretary and treasurer Of the munich
pality, and through him pass all funds
after being received by the mayor.
The street railway system has re-
Gently been extended eight miles to
suburban park owned and operated by
the city for the especial benefit of
those in moderate circumstances. The
park embraces 1875 acres, skirting a
lake where free bathing and boating is
afforded the masses at the expense of
the municipality. A summer theater
on the lake shore was erected by the
city council, and is operated by staff
in the employ of that body, all profits
reverting to-the city treasury.
The same arrangement applies to a
baseball diamond and grandstand, and
half-mile racing track. All these
amusement enterprises are owned alb
solutely by the city, and the revenues
are devoted to extending vital depart
ments of the city's utilities A certain
per cent Is set apart for street paving
extension, another for additional sew
erage lines, more for water service,
and the remainder goes in the surplus
fund.
Plans for the interurban extension
of the electric railway include a COM
plete belt rs miles in diameter, the
intention being to throw the popula-
ton In that territory, into direct touch
with the city. 1t will probably be
necessary to issue bonds for this ven.
ture.
There are plenty of opportunities for
graft in Monroe, but advantage of them
has, never been taken. The municipal
ity is operated ON strictly business
principles, and there has never been a
hint of dishonesty on the part Of public
officials. There Is no such considera-
ton as municipal politics in Monroe.
The people vote at the city primaries
merely to carry out the form and be in
line with the parish and state govern
ments.
Another unique feature of the city is
its high liquor license. Before Mayor
Forsythe was elected, the dramshop
license was 500 a year, but three
months after he was elected he had II
increased to $500, and later to $1125.
The law compelled most of the saloons
to go out of business.
Monroe is the county seat Of Ouachi-
ia parish, Louisiana, and is 35 miles
south of the Arkansas line and 55
miles west of the Mississippi river. It
is $50 miles north of Baton Rouge, the |
state capital, and 215 miles, as the |
crow flies, northwest of New Orleans |
Two railway lines and the Ouachlta |
river figure in the commerce of the
place. The government census Of 1900 |
gave Monroe population of 5,42S, but
these figures have been materially In.
creased.