Deming graphic., 1920-04-06
CITY POLITICS AND POLICIES


progressive ticket from the city elec
tion, the present board OF trustee:
will. having no opponents, be elected
as now constituted. II Is source OF
satisfaction that an eleventh-hour com
promise was reached whereby the tive
mctions have laid aside their differ
enccs for the good Of the city. The
agreement was made that the pre- sent
board shorld re-enact the anti-gnm al
rling ordinance. which was tafen from
the books several months ago, and
which has served to encourage gam
bling In Deming. Public sentiment will
approve Of the strict enforcement OF
the law. Ii will not stop all gambling
IN the city, but it viii do away with
visible" gambling, which is the real
cnd sought "penny ante" probably
will flourish as a recreation among
some Of our citizens. as Il always has,
lut few W in object TO that. There are
those that differ from this view. but
the Graphic believes It speaks for The
great bulk of those that believe In
Medication.
The withdrawal of the progressive
iicect will be- a keen disappointment to
many who believe that the present adj
Illustration has failed TO take larger
view Of the obligations Of the city to
ca uurage improvement The Graphic
d0, IS not enter into this feeling, but
does believe that the attention OF the
trustees should be drawn to the more
prg ssing needs. and is unsOphisticated
ru ugh to think that the present board
viii move in the matters upon the ad-
Vice and announcement of the citizens
und when the city finances permit
Nobody wants a campaign of reckless
expenditure: but neither does the more
tuoyant and youthful portion Of Dem
ing's citizenship desire the continual
tion Of the ltra-conservative attitude
which has ruled since the departure Of
the camp put 'crimp" in the courage
in incomes of the citizens. 'There is
no use crying over spilled milk
II has been charged by some that
the present board is largely under the
influence Of those who desire a return
90 the ancient regime, both as TO po-
lice control and ideas Of civic better
mentS. The Graphic believes this Is
more or less true, though IL does not
believe that II is altogether conscious
weakness on the part Of the majority
Of the members Of the board of trus-
ices. The influence indicated In
dominating one and apt. unless curbed.
~ be selfish and dOmineering. IL Is
the voice Of the ultra-conservative fac
tior and well worthy to he heard ON
matters Of public concern, but its i'm.
portunce Is much overrated by its men,
hers and it certainly should not be per-
mitted 10 form a high court from whose
decision there is no recourse. II is
this rather than gambling, or any
other mere details of legislation and
administration. that forms the real Is
sue Is Deming to he controlled and
rcprcesed by n few large property own
erS. or are the freeholders and other
citizens big and little, tU be allowed
voice in city affairs and an oppor-
tmity TO look forward to a larger ana
more beautiful city?
or course. there IS int so-called
church element" that is apt to lay
stress on purely moral issues. This
faction Is well worthy Of a hearing
also; hut the Graphic wishes TO point
ont that good morals consist in good
works rather than in the ethical or
religious formula. The narrowness Of
creed ,hould have no part in city gov.
crnment or any other government.
Ours should be n policy that unites
Christian. Jew and lowest heather for
the greatest benefit 10 the greatest
number Hell and heaven will be full
Of all Of them. 50 they might just as
well try 10 get along here. The average
citizen wants 10 get along with his
neighbor. and why not?
Deming is not sumken in debt as
some would have us believe. and the
present taXes win take care OF all OF
il in two years The city owes less
than $40 900. mere trifle considering
the value OF property here 1t should
not be used as an excuse for not taking |
care OF the pressing needs II putting
the water question before the voters
the present board has shown that Il !
d1cy not always yield to the influence !
of the a-conservatives-the pessim-
ists. II YOU willard IL looks hopeful |
Cor more aggressive and progressive
policy from this time forward The
citizens expect II. The library, the
streets, the public schools. the fire com
nauy. need attention. Everything can't
be- done this month. or perhaps this
year. hut 1t would seem that Deming
can look forward with more hope to
The future and begin to lay the founda-
tion for better things later on.
II is with an open mind that the
great majority Of Deming citizens look
10 the present board to institute a
new era Of progress. forgetting the |
dead past and with the courage to levy !
taxes 20 nut the new policy in force. /
The choice has been practically unan-
im0us and the citizens expect every |
fnction to get square deal and no
more Difference win arise, but II |
has been shown many times in the
past that they can be composed read |
ily and without interrupting the good |
work OF boosting the city. A rotary |
club has been suggested; It VIII be /
great factor in harmOnizing conflict
ing elements and interests.
Everyone wishes the new board Of