Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-03-05
FORTIFlCATIONS A
CITY SHOULD HAVE
Cannot Be Founded on I'M
buSinesSlike and Graft
ing Methods.
MEANS A SACRIFICE
To Run for Office a Big
Man Is Paying a Debt
to the Town.
MEANS A SACRIFICE
(By w. r. GUIBERSON)

In ancient times the strength of =
city depended upon the height and
width OF the walls about it. Invasion
by the enemy was checked and in
many cases prevented by this fortiii-
cation. Gradually down the ages now
implements OF warfare We're invented
each with increasing power of de-
Struction, until in time a cIty's walls
We're as naught before these deadly
instruments.
Brt not always was "a downfall due
to external troubles; not always to an
invasion of a foreien power; for often
internal strife and petty jealousies,
wrought with such intensity, and car
ried on with such ferver, created a
feeling of distrust and ermity which
augmented by the contemptuouS
schemery by the one, or the open
violation OF civil ethics hv the other.
brought about that unsettled, restless
condition which grew and grew until
1t resched that point wherein 1t could
no Enger contain itself and the city
or country found itself in the throes
of revolution. man against man and
brother against brother. And this has
been the history of the world since
its creation. Great walls are built
about the cities of today, not with
stone, but with moral pulchritude,
and when the morals of a city be-
come rotten. then the walls begin to
crumble and fall and no longer are
n fortification against political graft
and mercenary greed. Corruption
and vice go hand in hand with politi-
cal graft, and such "A condition rend-
ers the city helpless to the many
vultures which prey upon her vitals
and makes progression impossible.
Matter of Policy
It matters not what the city's en-
vironment may be, it matters not how
beautiful the city, it matters not how
rich her resources. If her political
situation is founded upon the policy Of
you get yours and I'll get mne," she
will not stand.
A city must be fortified not with
walls of stone as in the ancient times,
but with walls of open honesty in pub
lie office. II is the public conf
dence derived from this open homes
this public confidence you must select
men, men of unquestionable charac-
ter and ability. But All! There's
the rub. Such men are not seeking
the office as general rule. They
are usually too busy with their own
affairs to dabble in politics. Politics
has a very poor reputation. Why?
Simply because it has been forever
and a day in the minds of the seeker
the means of increased prestige and
legitimate usury. Too often the Of
flee Is made the wedge for greater
Influence in the furtherence of ones
own private gains. And again on the
other hand the successful aspirant
may be only a tool in the hands of
few who WELD their power discrim-
inately, debating the policy Of gov
ernment according to their own de-
sires and inclinations.
A Thankless Berth.
No big man Is ever repaid for the
trials and mental strain undergone in
governing a great city. He is often
made the target for political enemies,
however honest and sincere he may be,
and insults both private and public
are heaped upon him. The big man
comes through them with the laurels
of victory, but ten to one he Is not ap-
preciated even by the better element.
And for all this time and energy what
does he receive? A mere wage. He
neglects his own business for the pub
financially. This say for the big hon
est man. This condition of affairs
should not exist. The city Is large
corporation. 1t needs a man at its
head capable to govern its affairs as
would any large private corporation.
But q private corporation first looks
20 the fitness Of man. The
remuneration is a second consideration
so long as he produces satisfactory re-
suits.
Why should the interests Of city
be any different than the interests of
private corporation; both are striv-