Los Angeles herald., 1909-03-16
MAYOR STEPHENS

nY BECOMING mayor until the
IN recall election, w. D. Stephens
u has added another to the many
proofs of good citizenship he has given
during his long residence in Los An
geles. Mayor Stephens will hold the
fort until the election of Mr.. Alex
ander and the highest hopes of the
patriotic citizens of Los Angeles will
be fulfilled. A first rate, trustworthy
citizen will be in office temporarily;
first rate, trustworthy citizen will sue
coed him, and Los Angeles now, hence
forth and forevermore will have none
but first rate, trustworthy citizens for
mayors. On that the state, the United
States and "all the world and. his wife"
may depend.
We think we-all of us-have had a
lesson we are not likely to forget in a
hurry. The advancement of Los An
geles will not be retarded by the
trouble and the heart burnings-aye,
and heartaches-that have been caused
by the mayoralty turmoil; and since
advancement implies rigorous and
vigorous policy of retrenchment and
reform
'tWere we'll
1t were done quickly"
and now. 1t does not pay to dillydally
over programs of advancement. Sad
indeed is the plight of a progressive
city when, at a critical period in its
history of progress, a period so i'm
portant it may be called one of the
"times of destiny" it is found 1.-The
hour is come, but not the man."
From that plight Los Angeles has
been saved. The crisis in municipal
affairs has passed its acute stage.
Now, with legal complications pre-
vented and with the official future of
the city cleared, public business will
soon be adjusted to the improved con-
ditions, and the progress of Los An
geles will not be interrupted. Optimists
should rejoice at the present status
and future prospect of the mayoralty
episode and at the certainty of a happy
outcome. All of the citizens who have
devoted their energy, their time,
their ability and their experience,
their prudence, their sagacity, to
Strengthening out" the ENHANCEMENT
with which Los Angeles was threat
ened are to be congratulated. Los An
geles had square deal and will have
a square deal at the recall election.
Mayor Stephens, like many Ameri-
| can citizens who have rendered dis
tinguished public service, is an Ohioan
by birth. A civil engineer by pro-
fession, he became engaged in railroad
work, and for five years was auditor
of the Mississippi & Gulf railroad at
New orleans. A brilliant career in
railroading was assured, when the i'll
health of Mr.. Stephens mother made
it necessary for her to come to Cali
fornia. Mr.. Stephens did not hesitate
between business prospects and filial
duty. By giving up his railroad career
and accompanying his mother to Los
Angeles, he showed that unfiinching
devotion to the higher interests of life
which has marked his entire career,
and which makes him mayor of whom
Los Angeles may well be proud. In
this city his business success was
continued along new lines. He became
we'll known in business circles, first
by his association with the wholesale
grocery firm of M. A. Newmark e. Co.
and then through his partnership with
j. e. Carr. Mr.. Stephens has long been
an active, hard working member of the
chamber Of commerce and two years
ago was elected president. From the
earliest period of his residence in Los
Angeles until now Mr.. Stephens has
been one of the most keenly appre-
ciative and alert of our citizens-that is
to say, he has discerned the certainties
mot "possibilities"-w the future
would unfold for Los Angeles, and he
has believed in being prepared for
every new phase of municipal develop
ment. He was one of the leaders in
the consolidation campaign, and is one
of the men whose names will be as
ISOLATED in history with Greater Los
Angeles"