The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-18
THE PEOPLE ARE A

There is a wholesome indication of a desire on the part of
the people of Memphis for a better order Of things in their city
government, A good evidence was the selection OF candidates
for mayor and commissioners, by a number OF representative
men, who have never held public office, and have no ambition
to build up a machine to dominate the city for selfish interests;
whose intentions in the outset are good, and whose success as
candidates and as officials, if they are elected, depends upon
their ability to remain free of the insidious influences that, under
specious guise, already are endeavorng to lead them into faction
alism.
There are some who would prefer that the candidates dwell
~perpetually upon the past and its evils. There are others who
prefer that the candidates assume a constructive attitude, and
devote their attention and their energies to the future.
That representative business and professional men have
announced as candidates for office is the best evidence of dis
satisfaction over conditions as they were, and as they are at
present. The ticket already announced and the one or two others
in process of formation no doubt will make promises equally fair
and encouraging in wel-formed phrases.
After the tickets are completed the people can Judge between
platforms and the candidates promulgating them. They can
Judge by the candidates and their previous records the weight
and importance to attach to their platform announcements, If
their records are not sufficient TO warrant an intelligent conclu-
sion their utilization will provide sufficient evidence,
What the people Of Memphis need to be concerned with at
nresent i the election Of a set Of officials who will be faithful
to the people who elected them. There has been quite enough
Of this thing of the people going to the polls and selecting Oil
Gals and then having the officials browbeaten into submission
by the selfish interests that have some pet scheme to put over
at the expense of the people. Perhaps the fate OF such taithless
officials will be sufficient warning to prevent its repetuon, ol
it may be confidently assumed that the attempts at intimidation
will not cease. A good deal depends upon the power d resist
ance that the officials show, and the quality OF the stuff they
have in their makeup,
The News Scimitar will welcome and contribute in every
possible way to the fastening of the day when there shall be a
city administration unfettered by henchmen Of low order Of
mentality and no stability of character at all, that will give the
city Of Memphis a moral and physical cleaning from the ash can
in the alley to the mayors office in the city hall
The people elected the board Of education to run the schools
The city administration has no right to make the schools OF the
city a political adjunct or attempt to do so. The city administra,
ton should give every possible encouragement and financial
support to the efforts of the board OF education to secure better
pay for the teachers and better conditions for the children,
The county court is elected by the people, There is no
reason why a city administration should attempt to control the
county court by employing relatives OF the members at fat
salaries and slim work at the expense of the people OF Memphis,
The city hall is infested with relatives Of the mayor and com
missioners. 1t is bad taste, repugnant to the people, and ought
to be and would be discontinued by a government capable Of
approaching the ordinary decences.
The police department. should be made clean and effective
The job Of no capable official should be contingent upon how
he expects to vote in some future election, Members Of the force
should be chosen according to the civil service provision of the
charter. The police should be instructed to break up automobile
thevery, bootlegging and other lawessness that have been pro
NOTED under the present government, whose heads are so sus
pcous that most Of the s%euthing is confined to attempts tc
keep up with each other.
A mans task lies before the next administration. But tn,
people are liberal and generous. They will stand for a lot. The,
have stood for too much. Honest, courageous, hard-workint
officials who will give the people the best they have is all tina
anyone expects, The people are in no humor for small or petit,
things, but there isa wonderful welcome awaiting some rea
men with a will to do things.