The Cairo bulletin., 1908-01-19
THE INTERuRBAN ORDINANCES

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Probably enough time has elapsed
since last Tuesday to enable people
who take an interest in public affairs
to recover from the surprise at the
city councils unusual proceedings in
connection with the interurban ordi-
nance. There has been much discus
sion Of this action during the week
lust past. There have been some
warm controversies in public places
between citizens who took opposing
views; in some instances strong Ian
guage has been used--but no one has
been shot through the breast on at,
count of 1t and no one Is likely TO be,
It is Just and well to keep cool when
things go wrong from our point OF
view-especially when there are so
many who, from one cause or another,
believe that they have not gone wrong
very much or, mayhap, not at all.
This latter is undoubtedly true with
respect to the interurban ordinances.
After weeks of talk about them,
these measures were printed in The
Bulletin of October 18th (some might
call this an nnlucky date, by the way)
They were published by order of the
city council, for the information OF
the public. Perhaps many people read
them all the way through, although
there was about ten columns OF solid
reading. Some of those who read
them may have done so thoughuully
with an earnest desire to understand
all that was in them; few may have
grasped the meaning, or Thought they
grasped the meaning OF every section:
but that reader must have been pos
sessed of an extraordinarily aecute
and well trained mind who could, by
single reading and without the assist
ance OF an able lawyer form satis-
factory and reasonably reliable opin'
ion as to the full scope and legal Ell
feet CT the two ordinances, one upon
the other. or one with another. or
both of. them together as a whole In
their operation or execution.
Rut to the average reader and 10
the average citizen a general and su-
perficial view is satisfying and he is
often guided ins his conclusions con
corning public matters by the fair
speeches and fulsome promises made
nv men of standing in the community.
even though these may have self-in
.terest as a motive in exploiting their
views or schemes. In the case Of
these two ordinances we have the
promise Of an interurban railway
THAT is the Overwhelming fact which
overshadows everything in the genef-
Al public mind; the importance OF
eafch a road TO the community can not
he oyer-estimated-a dream OF years
IN which many have lived hopefully
all their lives. and now about to b.
realized. II is no wonder that meH
are heard to sneer or laugh at objec-
tors who urge a critical examination
nj the ordinances fer hidden grants or
for aa~s of which advantage may BE-
taken against the public interest. OF
Who urge any curtailment Of the priv
ileees. granted II is NJ wonder that
citizens owning a majority of the
frontage on the citys principal thor
ouehfare. a th0rOughfare long held
sacred against railroad intrusion Of
any sort. should nov favor freight
traffic over It. and some Of them de
clare yehemently rather than not
have the interurbsn let them come
IN over the house tops" Let nc one
make any mistake about IL. All o.
the people OF Cairo want an interur
han raIiway t. Mounds. Mound Cits
and villa Ridge Some Of them want 4