Amarillo daily news. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 19??-current, 1912-12-27

we should nave IL. But, unless We
have some assurance that rests on
more solid foundation than the az
itator's promise. we should be cauti-
Gus indeed. about changing our pres
ent attitude. We are not suffrine
materially at present. 10 say the least
OF Il, We have. at least. a good. ay-
erage city government under a form
that has prospered for more than q
quarter OF n century. as the state IT.
self and all the cities in the state
have prospered This should be
accepted as proof that we are not In
danger OF immediate damnation II
We do not follow the agitator.
In discussing this. as any other
question. ideas that are born OF the
love OF attention, greed. hope OF gain
and kindred motives. are the worst
kind Of rotten fume from hot air. "
when spoken or written TO Influence
action by the public ANY form of
charter that Is not based on abso-
lutely fair and honest principles. be-
comes not only an instrument of
wrongful oppression. but a founda-
ton head from which flows corrup-
ton of divers kind, and Is breed
er OF distrust and anarchy The
basic principles must be truly hon
est and fair, and not merely declar-
ed TO be so by some ambitious time
server whose standard OF honesty
and fairness is his own selfish ends
and purposes.
A system OF government taxation.
which taxes any part OF the people
for the benefit OF others. is but a
little short In morals OF highway
robbery In fact. II might be seri-
ously contended that II has all the
elements of highway robbery except
that courage which leads one TO take
his chances In a contest with law
For such reasons the old line Demo
Gratis for years have been fighting
certain features OF the Federal Tar
iff Laws enacted by Republicans For
like reasons. when any set OF peo-
pie undertake to incorporate the ru-
raj precinct into the city for taxa
ton only and make them paw paw
ing taxes. sewer taxes, Hight taxes.
water taxes. and the like. when
they are not given for their use and
I'm connection with their property.
payements. sewers. lights. water. etc
Justly provoke opposition. and ought
TO be defeated. For one, very much
fear that the idea OF "more money
10 spend for lights and the like. Is
quite factor In bringing about the
present agitation.
To say that our city government
could not be improved. II we should
happen TO have the general common
sense and good judgment TO select
the best. would be ridiculous: but Il
is worse than ridiculous to say our
present government very much re-
tards us in doing all that our resour-
ces and productive ability justify.
Everyone who has the brain. energy
and disposition 10 think. knows that
wealth comes from the earth and
the natural elements surrounding.
and that II is produced by labor Co
ing in debt and living on hope will
not produce wealth, nor build a city
on a firm foundation. lie who makes
an argument that we ought TO char
ter in order TO get more funds mere
ly is simply beside himself or has a
sinister motive behind his express
sion The growth OF the state and
the cities OF Texas brands as false
all those cries against our system. q"
which claim that We are being tied
down by the form OF our city govern
ment True, our form OF city gov
eminent does not afford an unlimit
ed opportunity 10 boom thing"
continually by levying taxes. Issuing
bonds, and spending public funds
promiscuously. but this fact alone
speaks volumes in its favor, and com
mends 10 our reverence the memo
ries OF those who lad the foresight
10 protect Ms from our own follies
What Is ever, body s business Is no
body's business. and n We will pro
tect ourselves from public bankrupt
cy such restraints are essential and
commend themselves 10 the thought
ful To the Soldier OF fortune. g"
who comes among us when We have
a boom grabs what he can and
passes on. and 10 those who hope
only 10 do their DAYS work and spend
their wages In a saloon and moving
picture shows. without any ambl-
ton 10 build for The good OF them
selves and posterity great public
buildings. continuous taxes. and i'm
provements sound well. and the more
graft. the better but. 10 those who
are the bono and s.now Of our clti-
zenship who arc fixed. home-bulld
Inc and homo-lo. Ing residents. such
course IS violatite OF the very first
principles OF economy and often OF
moral honesty
The craze FOR a commission form
Of city government Is O''en de-