The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1921-03-31
HARMONY. SHOWN
BY CITY COUNCIL
Change in Present Per.
sonnel May Prove
Disastrous

Very little has been said about
city politics or the selection of q
council and the editor of The Repub.
lican. after interviewing good many
people on the subject and taking the
judgment of other people along with
his own, has reached the following
conclusions: The present mayor and
council have worked together in the
greatest harmony and team work of
any council we have ever had. If
, there are any weak men ..On the
| council, and we admit that there
are, they seem to realize their own
weakness, are not over confident and
are not found taking positions on
any questions that jeopardize the re-
suits. If the weak or slow members
of the council were ambitious to lead
or dominate, they might be danger
GUS to the best interests, but that is
not the case. They take the position
of followers and helpers and are not
filled with confidence that makes
them self-asserting.
There are two or three strong men
on the council who are always will
ing to yield In Difference to each
others opinions only after they are
shown. There are two or three such
men on the council who think faster
and farther than other men and
arrive at conclusions more quickly.
There ale men on the council who
are slower of thought, but are
equally reliable in their conclusions.
The strongest man on the council
and one of the medium men on the
council, both desire to be left off for
the next few years, saying that they
do not feel that they can afford to
take so much time from their own
business. We do not think that is
valid excuse. We think any citizen
who is wanted and needed to serve
on the council should yield to the
wishes Of the public and serve even
II he does sacrifice some of his time.
He is bigger, better man for it.
The present cOuncilmen have two
big undertakings in progress: The
paving of some of the city streets
and the construction of the water
system. They have given a great
deal of study to these subjects. they
are better informed than any other
men in the town on those matters
and we believe it would be distinct
loss to the town to change officers.
We do not urge that every one of the
present council be reelected, but in
view of their integrity, their har.
mony of action and their splendid
team work, we believe the public
should be very careful about making
any change in the personnel Of the
council. When we remember the
disasters that have come to other
towns up and down the line that are
traceable to disagreements among
the councilmen, we consider 1t very
substantial asset to Blackfoot to have
council that works in harmony.
We have been advised of some
transactions by the present council
that were reproach upon them and
a reflection upon the integrity of one
or more members of the present city
government. One of those matters is
serious charge and we have studied
and listened and observed for many
months to try to determine whether
there is any basis for the charge and
have recently investigated to see
what the records disclose and we are
not convinced that there is any basis
for the charge. Until there is some
real evidence to back up the ugly
r,,,,oor u,o shall raf,,co <o haI;ovo
and shall continue to pin our faith
and confidence on the present Of
ficials
We believe the present mayor and
council are honest and have given a
good administration of the municipal
affairs and with the years of educa-
tion they have had while in the SER
vice. they are better qualified to
handle the problems ahead than are
any other men in the town. These
expressions on behalf of the present
membership of the city government
are not in any way influenced by
friendship or patronage or the hope
OF patronage or reward. We are re-
ceiving no favors from the present
council and do not expect any If they
are reelected. Our relations with
them are on clean business basis
and we believe their relations with
other men are on the same clean
basis. We think it will help the read
ers to understand the whole situa-
tion II they will read the article in
this issue regarding the opening and
consideration of bids for construc-
ton work and for the sale of the city
hnpIc