La Junta tribune., 1909-04-03

knew him. or did business with him.
statement. Not one dollar OF his
money was acquired dishonesty.
When he sold ton Of coal. II weigh
ed just a ton. heard him once tell
man that IL he had any doubt
about 1t to go and weigh II himself.
An honest man does not object TO
being watched. and a dishonest man
ought to be watched.
In the city council chamber he
scanned every bill that came before
that tody. and II any bill was too
high, he called the attention of the
board to IL. and had 1t cut down.
He did the same on the board OF
county commissioners. He was EN-
phaticaliy and truly the watchdog
of the treasury.
admired MIR. Daniher's candor and
straightforwardness In everything he
did and said. When he was asked
some question about any action OF
the city council or county commits
sioners, he did not hem and haw. and
hesitate. and then ask you what you
wanted to know for.-oh no. but he
answered promptly and without hest
tation as he had nothing to conceal.
He never spent any time concoct-
ing complicated or mysterious
schemes. through the intricacies OF
which he expected to get his hand
into other peoples pockets. There
were no star-chamber sessions of
any board while he was on it. Verify.
verify. he was an honest man. and
the poet says An honest man is
the noblest work of God"
He never sought for an office. but
was always sought after. He never
aspired to an office he could not
fill. He never committed blunders
in office and then asked the tax
payers to foot the bills. He never
went about foraging after popular
ity. He was all wool and a yard
wide. but did not care a fig whether
anybody took him for wool or shod-
dy. IL any one did not like his
style. they need not put it on. He
was content to do his plain duty as
he saw II. and take the consequences
like a man He was content to lead
his own life In his own way and al
low others the same privilege.
ha ar
square on the law governing saloons.
l once heard him say in council
meeting that he wished to see every
body obey the law. and that II the
saloon keepers of La Junta would
not close up their saloons at midnigh
as the state law required. he was in
favor of compelling them to close.
The city council then closed up The
saloons at midnight for the first time
in the history OF La Junta, under
the administration of Mayor Sabin,
and they remained closed till The
next city election. At the next
city election Mr.. Daimler was beaten
for reelection. by the saloons and
their hangers-on. with their usual
stupidity. just to punish him
for his zeal and enterprise: but Mr..
Daimler was bigger man in defeat
than he was sitting in the council.
and that. too. in the estimation OF
all right thinking people. for he was
beaten for a principle which he ield
dear, viz: that all people. regardless
Of class, should obey the law alike.
He was a true son of the great Re-
public
Men like him are needed in every
town and village in this country. and
though his body lies in the grave,
his spirit and example are still alive.
l have not time to notice other quail
tiles of his character. as this arti.
Gle is sufficiently long.
Mr.. Daimler practiced the strenu-
Gus life, and some of his friends in
the city are fearful that he overdid
II. The strenuous life is to be COM
mended In a young man. but when a
man passes fifty. it is risky. for he
has not the strength and vitality Of
youth. However. very few err in
this direction.
/ never was intimately acquainted
with Mr.. Daimler only in business
way. but frequently met him in
council meetings, where had a good
chance to study him. Those who
knew him longer and better. will no
doubt unite with the poet in saying:
Green be the turf above thee,
Friend OF former days;