The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-04-13
ALL THE YEAR

ALL THE YEAR
The week brought, first, the result of the city election for
which those hoped who have at heart the progress of Mis-
soula along right lines. The verdict of the polls left no
room for doubt as to the sentiment of the voters. Their
declaration was positive. The result Of the balloting was
the best thing that could have happened for Missoula. 1t
places the city in a position to go ahead.
The result of the municipal election, while a splendid
personal victory for Commissioner Houston, was not entire
y a Houston triumph. The campaign against Mr.. Houston
was, in some of its more important phases, a campaign
against the commission form OF government. Therefore,
the verdict of the polls was essentially an expression of
confidence in the commission system.
The return OF Houston to membership on the commission
gives Missoua an opportunity to test fairly the new form Of
government. Most of the time since the adopting of this
system has been spent, of necessity, in readjusting the city's
affairs from the old and cumbersome order OF business tt.
the new and adaptable form. The change from an order so
long established could not be made at once.
Now, with the commission thoroughly organized and the
departments OF the city government efficiently manned, we
may expect the results which we believe, confidently, will
follow the operation of the commission system to our local
affairs. This is not a political matter, in any sense. 1t is
the application OF business methods and business principles
to the conduct OF the municipal affairs.
The past is the best indication of what we may expect in
the future. We have seen order brought out of disorder;
we have seen economy supplanting recklessness in expendi-
ture; we have seen cleanliness produced out of corruption.
That this policy will be more fully developed we have every
reason to believe. That the results will be for the better
ment OF Missoula, morally and physically, there can be no
doubt.
No system of government will be successful unless good
men are in charge Of it. There is no reason for the local
opposition to the commission government except that it has
broken the strength of the old political gang that used to
take advantage of city opportunities at the expense of the
city. Traced to it's source, this opposition will be found to
have its origin in the desire of the politicians to handle the
city government, not for the benefit OF the city, but for
their own political purposes.
The election of last Monday does not end the opposition
to the commission government, but it gives the friends of
the commission form an opportunity to demonstrate further
even more conclusively the advantages of this system.
1t now becomes the duty of good citizens to stand back of
the commissioners in their campaign for a better and
cleaner city. The opposition is campaigning the year
round. 1t never quits. And this makes it all the more
necessary for the friends Of the commission government
the friends of clean government to make their cam
paign a continuous performance.
There need be no red fire and no brass bands in this cam
The work in behalf of clean government should be
quiet and always effective. But it should be incessant and
persistent. Missoula must be made a clean city and must
be maintained a clean city.
And this means not only the cleaning of streets and
alleys, but the cleaning Of evil places. 1t means not only
the removal of the winters accumulation of rubbish, but
the removal OF that human rubbish which is a detriment to
the city. The city commission has undertaken to do these
things. The people of the city must uphold the commits
sioners in this endeavor.
the cleaning of yards and alleys and for the cessation of the
practice of sweeping litter into the cutters. This is the be-
ginning OF the physical cleanup and it will be followed
closely to see that citizens do their part. Missoula was
cleaner last year than ever before and she will be cleaner
this year than she was in 1912.
The other cleanup campaign is in the hands of Commits
sioner Houston as head of the department of public safety.
That it will be carried on quietly and effectively, we have
no doubt. But, this Sunday morning, it should be the firm
resolve of every citizen of Missoula that he will do his best
to cooperate in this campaign; that he will lend his aid
wherever it is possible; that he will take pride in the sue
Cesstul outcome OF this campaign.
And, always, we must have in mind the idea that the
s%trictest economy must be exercised in all municipal work.
The commission is pledged to cut expenses to the lowest
notch. There is no time now for trimmings. But the re-
suits which are hoped for can be obtained with little ex-
pense if everybody lines up. This is a good time to enlist