The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1914-06-12
OPPOSES CHANGE IN CITY CHARTER
Hon. j. r. Mercer Gives Reasons
Why Officials Should Not Sue
coed Themselves.

coed Themselves.
! Editor News: l am informed that
there is a movement on foot to re-
peal that part of our city charter
which forbids the mayor and alder
men to succeed themselves. | do not
know just what has brought about
this move. The law is an excellent
one and should remain just as it -.
There might be no especial objection
to changing that part which applies
to the aldermen, since once in a great
while there may occur some measure
which means enough to the city to
allow the board originating the same
to remain in office long enough to
consummate the same, as was true of
the movement set on foot some years
ago to rid the city of the foreign own
ership of it's waterworks. There is
much room here, however, to ques-
ton the wisdom of allowing even
an alderman to succeed himself.
There is much human nature in all
of us. There is in many of as a
thirst for office This thirst will Of
ten cause us to forget our obligations
to the body polite in efforts, through
policy and otherwise, to secure our
own reelection. We are not unlike
ly to favor him whom we feel will
prove a political asset when we are
in position to extend such favor, and
we sometimes play the reverse act
with him on whom we look with
question where our personal interest
is concerned. There should exist no
temptation to practice any act IN Of
fee which has for its object only per-
sonal political interest. There is now
marked tendency even in national
matters to make men ineligible to
succeed themselves in the highest
Office in the gift of the nation. This
result will, l am sure, soon be at
tanned. Again, it is a pretty sure
prediction that United States judges
will ere long not be allowed life ten
ure in office for similar reasons.
The mayor of Dawson is now elect
ed for a term of two years. He
knows he is to have but that length
of time to hold such position. If he
has a thimble full of patriotism or
ambition the first thought which
should come to him on assuming the
official function to which he has been
called is, What can l do now to best
serve my town and produce the i'm
preston that l have made good?
How can l act as to convince my
fellow citizens that no mistake was
made when l was called to direct for
two years the destiny of my town."
Such thoughts as these are but nat
ural as matters now are. There is
no room for the thoughts which go
to looking after his own political flu
ture with no regard for the real bet
terment of the town. There are many
citizens and always will be who are
well able to serve as mayor. No man
will ever be so important as that the
town cannot prosper without him.
Should man make an unusual
record as mayor it will be a grace
full compliment after he has retired
to private life for a couple of years
for the people to again place him in
charge should they so desire and if
he is willing to be again offered as
target for criticism.
| earnestly hope this movement
will be 'nipped in the bud" 1t can
not benefit the town, but can do
much harm in ways intimated above
Respectfully, j. R. MERCER.