St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-05-29
{ a'sl,alr1 farmer
saturday, May 90, 1909.
our MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

- - MUNICIPAL ELECTION.
ne municipal election to be held June
PROVIDES situation unique in the politics of
SoYlngton Elections are a necessity, and
.1ile work OF providing ticket to fill the
posltlons necessary for the government of
shs town must devolve upon some person,
Douy OF organization. Hitherto few peo-
pas II private caucus have shouldered the
responsibility of making up this ticket as
Stunning authority by sanction of custom
established through lack of interest by the
general public and the influence of those
leaders who have taken an active interest in
paDllc affairs. fractional interests have
before placed two tickets in the field and
Lne elections have been bitterly contested.
70 gay, however, if there be in existence
aIly factlonal strife it is not exhibited in or
canned, partisan support There is but one
ticket IN the field. It is a free-for-all scram-
pie, IN which each candidate will register
ms strength or his weakness. ANY citizen,
without limitation, who desires to run may
90 30 by attaching his name to the ticket
any time preceding A o'clock p. NJ Of June
!, 1909. While this method may have a
sllpshod, undignifed appearance, it is in
reality the outgrowth of satisfaction in the
work Of the present administration.
There is so far but one candidate for
mayor, and there will probably be no other.
Up to the time the ticket was thrown open
Ito all candidates, there had been no change
proposed in the present administration, with
Y the exception of one name to take the place
of Councilman Hood, made necessary by his
removal of residence, and one additional
name to run for the Office of councilman.
There could be no mutual agreement to the
ticket in this shape and the matter was
settled by making the race free-for-all,
go-as-you-please scramble
Under these conditions there may be, and
probably will be, some change in the per-
sonnet of the council. It is to be hoped
IL any change is made that due regard will
be paid to the fact that at the close Of this
administration there will be much unfinished
business Of importance to the town. With
the election of new council this business
will again be taken up, and it's successful
completion depends upon the point of view
of the members. AS we have pointed out
1T another time, the short term of one year
does not allow time in which to carry out
instituted work It is to be hoped, there
fore. that the candidates elected to the new
council may be in harmony with the
work of the present administration and
not prove calcitrant obstructionists. The
man whose word can be depended upon in
business transactions, who is truthful and
reliable and square in his dealings, is pretty
apt to be safe man to trust in public af-
fairs Such traits of character are quickly
disclosed to the community, and when &C
conpanied by force and stamina usually win
recognition from the people In the coming
election, uninhuenced by partisan considera-
tons voters may be depended upon to weigh
character and fitness for Office, and to vote
for those candidates that possess these
qualities in the higher degree. In other
words, it is probable that the best men will
something that does not always occur
in politics,
The last census, taken in 1900, gave Gov
ington population of 1905, and until new
census is taken we are legally bound by
that, notwithstanding we have a population
OF between four and five thousand. Under
Act 40 Of 1906 all towns are compelled to
hold primary elections to nominate munich
Dal officers. The Constitution of 1893 limits
the effect of this act to towns of $500 and
over. Whenever Covington chooses to have
an official census taken nominations will be
made by primary. Virtually the present
ticket is an extended principle of the pri-
mary system. Probably the next municipal
election will make nominations by primary.
In the meantime let us elect those to office
Who will carry out the work of the present
administration
OUR RAILWAY SERVICE.