The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1909-03-04
Such Stuff as Dreams are Made on.

A municipal campaign such as is on
in Kenosha at the present time always
brings out the dreamers, the theorists
and the reformers. There are always
some men who seek office with the idea
that they are going to reform the
Council, the School Board and make
their influence felt on the entire city.
The ambition Of these men is not with
out merit and they are undoubtedly
sincere in their intentions, but their
ideas are "the stuff that dreams are
made on.
The man who has sat in the Com
mon Council of the city Of Kenosha
for year learns a lot Of things that
he did not suspect before. He learns
that it is a decidedly hard matter to
break up existing conditions. The
forefathers of Kenosha established Gus
toms in the city and these customs have
grown to be an established rule and it
will take more than the dream Of the
reformer to dislodge them. High mind
ed men are the greatest demand Of the
City Council made up wholly of men
devoted to the best interests Of their
constituents would find it hard thing
to accomplish some Of the reforms that
are suggested. Custom has established
police regulations in the city in regard
to saloons and it will be a hard mat
ter to change these established Gus
toms. No reform can be accomplished
without the majority Of the people
backing this reform. Precedent is the
mask under which the executive of the
city can rightly hide any of the short
comings of his administration and it is
q, powerful mask. A few men who me-
ditate on "the stuff that dreams are
made on" find themselves butting up
against the stone wall Of public senti-
ment. 1t might be possible co elect a
"Reform Council" in Kenosha, but
until this reform Council is backed by
the great preponderance of public SEN
timent it can not long endure. The
problem that is best suited for the sup
port of these men is one that would
lead to gradual solution or rather dis
solution of the old customs of Kenosha-
The sentiment is changing in Kenosha
this is admitted-but the change
must be even greater than the present
time has shown to make it possible for
the optimist to realize his dream.
There is, however, a distinct province
for the work of the dreamers and the
reformers and that is for them to lend
their aid to the election of men who,
while not pledged to the carrying out
Of their ideas in their entirety, will be
men that will give to the city and it's
business their most careful considera,
ton. Men who will sit on the Common
Council and on the Board of Education
without political friends to reward or
political enemies to punish with view
of securing for the taxpayer the best
possible return for his money and for
the city that progress and advancement
which is consistent with sound financial
management. A half dozen men with
such ideas in Office would take Keno
sha off the cred ledger in single
year and show the people Of the city
just what can be done with reason
able amount Of money expended for the
municipality in a reasonable manner.
Men on the Council should be men of
affairs, not men who sit by the side
Of the CRATE and dream of the great
things they can do. Men whose bust
ness acumen has been shown along other
lines and not men who can be nominat-
ed and elected simply because they are
good fellows. The man who is a good
fellow has lot of other good fellows
to look after and it is impossible for
such a, man to give to his constituents
and to the city at large that fair con-
sideration which is necessary for the
best work of an alderman.