The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1911-09-10
THE COUNCIL SHOULD NOT BIND
IFS SUCCESSORS.


mission form of government was
created, is fixed for term OF four
wears, of which nine months have
been filled.
There has been considered favor
ably by this Council contract with
the electric lighting company Tor a
term of six years, which has pro-
yoked a protest against its approval
by the Mayor, and requesting that 1t
be reconsidered and repealed, or that
if be submitted to the qualified cleo
tors. as provided by the act creating
the commissioners, of which there
are five.
The objection to the contract Isl
not only as to the term OF years, Dut
TO other conditions which should
have evoked the disapproval OF the
entire Council, but instead, the con-
tract received unanimous endorse
ment of all commissioners.
The principle that the Council
should not bind its successors by
contracts beyond the term OF their
service as elected, is sound from
every view presented, and even the
corporations, or the parties to the
contract. could not seriously dispute
1t successfully, but besides the term
of wears. such contract is incompat-
lille with the public interest and
welfare, especially in view OF the
fact that the municipal ownership
and operation of the electric lights
is a problem which is being agltat-
ed seriously and will be settled by
the people.
A contract of six years Is irter-
preted as a design to delay if not to
defeat the municipal ownership and
operation of the electric lights, and
therefore the resistance against the
proposed contract is made plain.
IT may be true that the Goun;ll
takes the view that number OF the
PEOPLE may be benefited by the ex-
tension of lights in sections now un-
provided, but the welfare of the ma
jority should not be sacrificed for
the temporary benefit of the minor
ity.
And it may be equally true that
the Council, from its present eco
nomic view may have been influ-
enced to this six years contract,
which if submitted to the people
will be buried out of sight by an
avalanche of votes.
In the contract as written and
printed and published there are a
series of objections having a ten
dency to the binding of the peo-
ple. which under the form OF gov
eminent by commission should be
left free and untrammeled from the
grasp of corporations, or the combi-
nation of individuals.
For instance, as an illustration, it
is specified in the lighting contract
that at the expiration of six years
the city may,.if it sees fit, purchase
at appraised value this special street
lighting system with the exception
of the poles and the cross arms
which is ridiculous on its face and
reflective of discredit of the intelll-
gence Of the community, but one Of
the most preposterous of the sew
eral provisos is that in the words
quoted: providing, however, The
city has acquired its own water
works"
What bearing has the waterworks
on the requirement of the street
lighting system of the lighting COM
pany, especially without arms ane
poles?
And as these provisions are crlti-
cised, the explanation is that they
do not amount to anything" but i
they do not amount to anything, why
were they written in and made par
of the contract?
1t is neither singular nor sur
prising that the people have flee
their protest. The people are for
tunate in having recourse through
the system of government by com
mission. If it were of the old style
it is more than probable that they
would have had no opportunity O
registering their protest and of de
feating the privileges recent.
sought By the Traction Company
and their present protest against tn
lighting contract would be of n,
avail.
1t is very probable that action OF
The protest by the citizens may b
considered by the Council at tn
session next Tuesday.
We will not attempt TO forecas
the decision, but will be ready t
meet the issue as it may be devel
oped and presented.