The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1911-04-09
THE PAST AND THE FUTURE.

fourth time; and although probably will be
for HIS opponents than may expect there
be little doubt that he will be again elected by good plurality
o the east cahates for that office. There will b
some citizens who will Vote only candidates for the ohe
lofces because of N candidates for mayor suits them
and there will be others who will vote for Mayor Parsons OF
ponents because they would like to either of them
mayor Of Cairo, but because they would show their dsap
prevail of the present mayors administration.
II may surprise people who have been always close
friends of the mayor standing by him in all things whether
fright wrong and who not conceive how may hon
crticise another without being his uncomomsng foe
1T may surprise these to be told that for great many
sons The Bulletin would rather George Parsons mayor
of Cairo than almost other man. He is of wealth
aud leisure with ample time give the cys affairs proper
attenon he is liberal minded pleasant in his intercourse
with generous entertainer; he is public spirited; he
has shown commendable energy in prosecuting public i'm
prov for the accomplishment of which he is entitled
his share of credit in common with the associated will
him in the city government and with the public generally
He is largely interested in the city materially is familiar
with the ctys affairs and could if he would do thar
mos men that might be named promote its welfare in every
direction There few however which prompt
THE Bulletin, in with great many others f not {
large majority Of the people of Caro) to prefer almost any
other than George Parsons for mayor of Cairo
one who could give reasonable guarantee of good govern
ment;-reasons which have nothing at all to do with him per
sonalv but which embody faults of administration grave
that their evil effects upon the city, at home and abroad
they far to overshadow all the good that be claimed
for him and his record as mayor of Cairo
1t is necessary here review the events of the pas
several years to Justify this declaration. They in
deby impressed upon the mind of citizen they have
left hei, lasting imprint upon the annals of Board
Trade Commercial club, Citizens League in
grand jury reports and the military records of the state
The Bulletin is willing that veil shall be drawn th
most appalling chapter in Cairos history; it willing tina
the disorder, the depression, the heart aches the tears thu
corruption riot and bloodshed which have marked Mayo
Parsons administration other administration in Cair,
Marked shall be henceforh closed book ia
it concerned PROVIDED it shall be made clear that this
dark chapter not written vain that the lesson whc
it must teach every receptive mind has been earned tina
the which brought these grevous experiences chic
among them the persistent abuse of official power by Mayo
Parsons nderlng shall be recognized and shall not aga
be permitted perneate and dominate the ctvs government
Upon this assursance The Bulletin would have the peop
of Cairo forgive but not forget would let the dead pas
bury its dead but would mark we'll the graves warnn
pecept for the years to
But what of the future? Are we to judge the next tw,
years of Mayor Parsons administration by the last two
four If heaven help the people of Cairo! The Bu
en not in position to speak for the mayor. 1t does
know his mind 1t has not been in his confidence for
past The enlargement not of its seeknsN
but the inevitable result of circumstances and condition
of the mayors creation-the circumstances
conditions which cost him the confidence and good will
nearly all the strong in the city who erstwhe wer
among his staunchest friends excepting those who hoped
profit by his favor the circumstances and conditions
which brought down upon his official head the condemnation
of the cys religious and civic organizations supplemented
by the singing rebukes of four grand ures His Honor has
tried to make appear that The Bulletins criticisms of hin
prompted by personal prejudice He has been mistaken
Its criticisms but echo of the voice of the people
fused to whose motives Clean whose plea good
government, whose demand that he be faithful to his
admirable promise of April g. 1905 cit will be nv constan
desire to deal fairly with all the people and all classes
business that there be just for criticism
forcing the law for the equal benefit of all and special priv
ilege to none!"
1t is well to recall this excellent pledge because it seemed
to have been bloed from the mayors memory almost i'm
medlatey after had been made Instead of holding himself
III position to deal fairly with all the people, he became
the special friend of class and permitted himself bel
controlled absolutely BY the element in that class Nor
did he permit his mental vision and of justice assert
themselves IN respone to the many protests that made
publicly and prvatey there always those who With
specious pleas sought to absove him from blame echong
his ofmade declaration that the people blame
for they wanted it so all critics enemies; only flat
terers friends; his police department could do mol
wrong Some Of his trusted advisers were fawning
hypoerits in his presence binding him with Establishments
that appealed to his seove and with assurances that all
was well; but who their official positions and conduct
were dctaors, cruel INSCRIPTIONS cormorants using their
official power to pedde awes privileges for personal profit