Putnam patriot., 1909-11-19
Putnsm,s Nuni,irai Interests.

Putnam NnnsSirai Interests.
 The interests Of a city are committed 10 the care of its citizens, and what they to and how they do this duty will mark the growth and character of the city for good or bad. Just now, ali over the land.there is an awakening to the need of improvedmunicipal govern
 ment. 10 have cities affairs managed on strict business principles. It is sta
 ted that over two hundred and tifty cities are al present agitating this qaes-
 tion. About fifty have already made change in their charters for this desir-
 able end.
 But whether the system of manae-
 ing the afiairs q city Is good or bad,
 what Is impss1e1scly needed for their just adnainistrastsn is the appointment
 of publicsptrited men with the bust.
 ness cspacies requisite to have them best managed for the benefit of the en- tire community.
 A second result In the agitation for improved city government Is to arouse dormant public spirit. When people do get aroused they seek for the most
 capable men fitted for the specis! work
 required, and are ready to pay them the price that work is worthy--sny.
 thing less Is folly. should merchant ] or manufacturer hire the cheapest help they can find for the most responsible 1 positions in their business, every level
 headed business man would pronounce
 such action gross folly and sure to
 bring with it loss and damaged repnta- l ton. All business should be done on
 business principles whether tn city or
 commercial affairs.
 | Our city needs an awakening--mat- 1 ters have been allowed to drift along haphazard too long If our citizens | can only be aroused and come together 1 to discuss public matters they would
 soon learn how the eity's atiairs could
 be improved. We are not linding fault
 with the present or past city officials, | They have lacked the impulse of pub | lie sentiment te encourage them, and | they feel they are doing ardnous work | that the honor of the office does not re-
 quite them. That alone creates dis couragement. Besides which the char | ter is too defective to secure the best
 administration of the city. The ofii- cials of the city should be made to real I ize that whatever they do In advance the 1 interests of the city has the approba-
 ton of the public they serve, express | ed in some form. Officials are human.
 and can appreciate appreciation deserv.
 ed--and they should have it as an in- l ducement To exercise their full ener- l gies.
 l The city of Putnam k one of the l prosperous places in the Staie. II has 1 the many natural and other advanta- | ges ie attract both business and resi- dents to join in with us. The outlook l is that the nation is entering career | Of business prosperity that will exceed anything hitherto witnessed and in which this city will participate in large l degree The General Government is l doing great deal to stimulate agricul- l lure and to arouse interest among far mers to double the country's products. | Commercial and manufacturing inter-
 ests are receiving the careful attention I to widen their fields of service and to protect their interests al home and | abroad.
 With this prospective new era of prosperity our citizens should do their
 part in any. way that offers, and an
 aroused public spirit that will lead to
 n more active and united effort to im- prove the administration of city affairs
 and inspire general feeling to provide for the city the very best the country has to offer to make it honored and
 respected at home and abroad as n
 model city for homes and for business.