St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1908-06-06
st Tan'tuatty gar,uer.
June 6, 1908.
THE NEW MAYOR AND COUNCIL

FOR the first time in twenty-eight years the
regular ticket was beaten atssthe polls last Mon
oay' =. ). Frederick being the only one of the
Regulars elected, while Walter Galatas, of the
Regulars and J. L. Smith, of the Refornners
were tied.
what effect this change will have upon the
town OF Covington depends entirely upon the
course that is pursued by the new Mayor and
Councllmen. 1t has been claimed, and perhaps
not unJustly, that factional strife has been
largely responsible for a condition of affairs
detrimental to Covington's advancement, and
mat SO long as complete control rested in the
hands OF continuously victorious party nothing
could be done to relieve the situation. The new
party is now in possession and all eyes are
watching with eager interest for the fulfllment
OF the promises that have been made and for
what steps will be taken to give the people a
government that will meet all demands and sat
lsfy the cravings of all reformers.
There are some reforms that can and should
oe accomplished, and there are other that should
De, but which we fear the Reform Party will be
as l1npotent to install as were the Regulars.
10 plan and to execute are so remotely apart
Chat many good projects are lost in the inter-
venlng space, and we would not be surprised if
the difficulties which beset the path of the en-
thuslast will be the ultimate means of bond Of
sympathy that will be an effectual eliminant of
fractional strife and discord Such result is
much to be desired.
The opportunity is now offered for uniting all
the best forces of Covington for it's advancement
If the newly acquired power is used for civic bet
terlnemt, and not for building foundation for
political strength. The latter course will insure
perpetuation of the old factionalism, and spell
certain defeat year hence, for victory at this
time is the result of indiscretion, carelessness
and apathy, induced by overconfdence and under
estimate of the strength of new forces. The
Office of Councilman is merely honorary. There
is nothing in it but responsibility for the really
honest man, and the fear of injury to business
interests has been so strong as to make it diff
cult to secure the services of all the best-ftted
for the positions. This condition will continue
as long as individual effort is hampered by fac
tional interests. All recognize this fact, and it
should be a strong appeal for united effort to
do away with party differences, and to work
purely and unselfshly for Covington and the
best interest Of the community.
The work of the new Council must be full of
accomplishment. Not only must it do things,
but those things must meet the approval of the
people, or the one short year that marks its term
Of Office will also grind out material for it's de-
feat at the next election.
When the old party was in power everything
they attempted to do was tabooed, what they
did not do they should have done, and they got
little credit for sincerity of purpose in anything.
We do not speak of this in spirit of resent
ment We call attention to it simply because
we believe in the main they did the best they
could, and because we know the time is coming
when every member of the council is going to
ponder over these remarks, when the same old
charges are made against them and the disap-
pointment at unappreciated effort fills the cup
to overlooking.
But one point we wish to make plain: Just
as the Farmer shall criticise and condemn what
soever it considers unwise or injudicious, also
will it praise and aid every effort that it consid-
ers rneritorious and to the interest Of the town,
and this it will do without fear or favor.