Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-04-21
Election OF A Mayor Aud Council
OF Rockville.


Mr.. Editor AS we are on the eve of
electine Mayor and Council Of Rockville
to administer the affairs of the corporation
for the next two years, it should not seem
Inappropriate for citizens to discuss the
issues and questions which naturally arise
at such times.
There is one fact which stands out con-
spicuously in this matter, and that is, our
people every two years about two weeks
before the first of May feverishly. excitedly
and with great deal of criticism, favor
able and unfavorable, discuss the fitness
of the candidates, both old and new. make
our selections and then proceed immedi-
ately to forget who they are, what they
stand for. and hold them responsible for
nothing. We apparently ignore him. forget
him. take no interest in what he is doing
for himself or us. give him no ENCOURAGE
ment or advice until the next two years
roll around, then proceed to throw brick
bats and bouquets so Unfortunately that
no one can tell for whom or for what the
one or the other is intended. The conse-
quence is that the average Mayor and
Council become careless of and callous to
public opinion because three-fourths Of the
time they don't know what II is and don't
try to find out.
1t has often occurred to people who think,
that If the newspapers Of Rockville would
take more active interest in town affairs
through their columns, we would be greatly
benefited, our town would grow faster. the
people would take more intelligent notice
of conditions. good and bad. and the papers
would grow in strength and influence for
good. There might indeed be presented
more brick-bats than your publication could
conveniently digest. but "the blood Of the
martyrs is the seed Of the church" and no
one could properly ask, Why is a Rockville
newspaper speaking from a civic stand
pointS
Our town being in the heart of one of
the most productive districts in the State,
made up Of families who are intelligent,
educated. wide-awake. up-to-date and pro-
gressive. with fine homes, all modern
equipments. with their automobiles and
motor-trucks moving over roads as finely
built as an asphalt pavement to the limits
Of the corporation, where they Immediately
drop into mud holes. slop and broken
drown streets. Automobile parties, tourists.
and home-seekers take up a map Of the
country, put their finger on Rockville and
decide to 90 around it. If possible. or travel
in an opposite direction. Nobody need de-
ceive himself. the conditions are known
for hundred miles around us.
The above is not meant to be criticism
of any one man or set Of men. The con-
ditions are due to the system. granting we
have had any system. antlquated. out-of-
date. thrown into the discard by every
progressive community in the country.
The next Mayor and Council should take
under consideration the question of divid-
ing the town into four parts, or wards, and
as the people usually select man from each
Of the four sections anyway, there being
four ceuncilmen. each member should be
held responsible for conditions in his own
ward The Mayor being selected from the
wn-at-large. could oversee. guide. advise
and generally support and aid the members
Of the council as to their desires. wants.
and needs in their respective wards. at the
same time making needful recommended
tons, keeping watchful eye on expendi-
lures, holding them within the bounds Of
reason and expediency. Some such idea
as this would meet with the favor of the
taxpayers and give them system they
could readily understand and appreciate.
II is not unreasonable to think that our
town would be greatly benefited II the
women taxpayers in the corporation had
a vote in selecting the men who are to
handle the affairs Of the town. it being
well known that women hold large por-
ton Of the property in the corporation
limits this, Of course. would depend on
the Constitution Of the State. as to whether
1t permits or prohibits such departure
from the present custom.
The Street Car Company should at all
times contribute its just share in the up
keep Of the main street.
The possibility Of giving the town an
additional thoroughfare running parallel
with the main street should be considered
as early as practicable. in order that traffic
can be handled in case Of tie-up on the
one outlet we now have. A great many
think 1t can be done. although there are
difficulties 10 be overcome, which. however
are not impossible.
In selecting men to serve as Mayor and
on the Council. partisan politics should at
all times be frowned upon and in every
way possible eliminated. No man honestly
has the good Of the town at heart or is a
sincere well-wisher Of his neighbor. or can
hope to see the community progress or ex-
pand, who injects such matters into town
campaign.
Our merchants, our lawyers, our profess
sional men in general and taxpayers In
particular should discourage any attempt
along these lines. wherever 1t appears
The necessity Of paying more attention
to the conditions surrounding the section
occupied by our colored population cannot
be too often urged not only for their benefit
and wel-beine, but for the interests Of
every man. woman and child in our COM
munity. | submit as broad proposition.
that any money spent or other effort made
to benefit any one section Of our town will
in just proportion benefit the whole.
Legitimate advertising. welcome to the
stranger. encouragement to the new CAPT
talist. is the keynote to urban and subur-
ban progress and development.
GEO. L. EDM0NDS.
Educational Day.