The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-04-06
CIVIC DUTY

Tomorrow is the date of Missoula's city election. Unu
sually heavy is the responsibility which rests upon Mis-
politics-there is none of that involved in this election,
except that the socialists have a candidate. The socialist
candidate is in the race as a socialist; we presume, follow
ing the practice OF that political party, he has placed in the
hands of his party managers his written resignation, to
become effective whenever the members of that party are
dissatisfied with his course, should he be elected. This is
the only party politics there is in this election.
The issue before the voters of the city this spring, then,
is not political. 1t is not personal, either. However, it is
an issue which is clearly defined-sedom is a question
placed before the people of a city so sharply as is this. 1t
is a question which every voter may ask himself when he
enters the booth, That question is this: Am in favor of
a clean, effective, economical administration Of the citys
affairs or noty
The voter who answers this question in the affirmative
must cast his vote for Bill Houston. That a great majority
of the voters will so answer it we are sure. We are conf
dent that the people of Missoula desire good governments;
that they want a clean city; that they want a city commits
sion which will handle the cty's business in a manner alike
efficient and economical. A vote for Houston is a vote for
conditions such as these.
This is not idle talk. Every assertion which is made
here is supported by the record which the commission has
made, a record to which Houston has contributed by his
administrative ability and by the splendid efficiency of the
department which he has organized.
View the situation from any angle YOU will Your con-
oltslon must be, If your consideration is honest and sim
cere, that Houston has given the city excellent service and
that this service entities him to reelection.
axe the mora condition of the city. There is no gam
Ding here; the city has been ridded of the vile gang of sec
retaries which infested it; the restricted district is quiet
Sand its street presents nothing of the old offensive condi-
tions which formerly characterized it. There has been a
minimum OF disorder in the saloons; Commissioner Hous-
ton has put these places upon their own responsibility to
maintain order; failure so to do will result in the revocation
OF licenses. Houston is strict with the saloons, but he is
square; there has been no grating.
lake the financial end OF the question. The records at
the city hall show that the police department costs the city
$4,000 a year. This is $1,000 a year less than it used to
cost. There is a saving Of 81 200 a year in one item. Is
NOT the COMMISSIONS expense a good investment when it
results this way?
The rOf;ra apor+r,o ,o .oaoaA ..-
year. he records at the police court show that the rev.
nue. to the city in fines has been $1,000 up to the first of
March: Not only has the department maintained itself,
but it has contributed a surplus to the treasury Of the civ.
This is an item for the taxpayers to consider.
But, this Sunday morning, it is not the financial phase
OF the situation to which we wish specially to direct the
attention of the people of Missoula. Even if the police
department could not show a credit balance, it would be
worth while to have such a man at its head as Bill Hous-
ton; The betterment which his administration has accom-
enough for his reelection.
You fathers, with boys and girls growing up in this
cry IS It not to your advantage to have the city clean and
asset is the state university, is it not to your advantage to
have it a good, safe city for the abiding place of Young
men and women while they are gaining their education?
Does not this condition enhance the worth of the univer-
sity and, therefore, better the town?
me question is just a question Of whether or not Mis-
soula w1shes to be a city that is clean and we'll admins
terea ana is SO recognized. Mr.. Houston has shown his
ability in his department.. There is no honest man in this
city who will contradict this statement or will denv it's
ruth. ne has proved efficient and, in conjunction with
MS associates on the commission, he has given the city an
honest, businesslike administration.
1t is a good Sunday theme for the people of Missoula to
consider today-this question of what tomorrow's vote will
De. 1t IS not a political question. 1t is a question of de-
cency, OF honest government, of progress. The opponents
OF Mr.. Houston have declared that they must defeat him in
order to accomplish the failure of the commission form of
government That, in itself, is reason sufficient for his
election. IVA "'
1t is a question for each one to take home to himself this
morning 1t is a question which involves the very advance
n1e11t OF Mlssoula. 1t is a question which every voter, who
aeslres TO see Mlssoula the city which she should be, can
pest answer BY casting his ballot tomorrow for Houston.
most warmly appreciated by the men which is bdnp river, to ou+,,,;,,
who are keeping the FRS National in ment of this nrnn,ro d,n,Ha.a, .,