Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1922-01-05
GOOD MEN M TRUE

With the beginning of a new year there a come ~ nontono
tidings of a reawakenlng OF industrial life that has te eliec'
of a rebirth of optimism covering the entire state. Inc a. ~
uerv vocation q Montana. This was probably not realized until
the state had suffered from an almost complete eclipse o. t M
uuickening and Frightening of the industrial outlook has raised
the courage of the people IN q way that cans U nlnu se uas
when Montana was young; when its boundIess resources were
not wholly known; when there was no limit to hope In q glorious
future for the commonwealth that had always given iavisniy u It's
There is no doubt now that Montana has awakened to a future
more glorious than anything in its past. And right now is tne
time to consider and rectify the errors that have been committed
by its ctizenry. We have got to pay for those mistakes, put
we can do it. and do it more cheerfuIy if we feel there is an honest
attempt made to guard against repeating them. Montana mas
suffered from extravaganza, both private and pubic. Most oi Is
as individuals, have learned the virtues OF economy through the
teachings of hard times, and are also taking a much more per-
sonal interest in the conduct of our public business. TINS interest
is finding expression in the various taxpayers organizations
throughout the state, and if kept free Of political sef-seekers WIN
exert a powerful influence in the way OF a lesseneo cost IN puDlc
affairs. The really useful man IN office is the one VINO wn msr
come the activities of these taxpayers organizations II ch-
slider seriously the suggestions they may put forth. There can De
no loss of dignity or prestige in deferring to an honest attempt
to make our government less costly to the people VINO are loyal
to it and support it with their own good money;
1t is rather a t~hreadbare saying that only good men and
true should be elected to office. Our democratic institutions oe-
clearly demonstrated his ability in office is deserving OF recog-
milton, and occasionally gets it, but too often the undeservlng also
manage to retain a hold upon office to the detriment of the public.
AS a rule it is extremely difficult ITO get good men and true to
accept office. For recognized honesty ana aolay IN not thnn
anything that public life has to offer. And especially difficult is
# r. induce the right kind of men to accept the minor public of
fees which demand more or less of their time with no compen-l
sation, or at least remuneration totally inadequate to the service
performed.
The right kind of citizen is aware that he owes something
to the community in which he lives. If he feels that ne is Iual
flied for public service, there should be no hesitating in accepting
his share of public duty. It is natural for most everyone TO 1ee-
step the minor office and '1et George do it." The trouble with
a great many of our community affairs is that George" has fallen
down on the Job. In many cases he has done it very poorly and
the rest of us have to pay for it. 1t is high time to change
this and the place to begin is right at home.
The operation of a municipality s. business which demands
business ability of the type that IAN show a profit at the end OF
the wear. Advertising is good business, but it can be overdone
when applied to community affairs, and under all conditions
it requires a n expert for real results. Judieious spending IS also
good business at times, but that also can be easily overdone, and
evidently has been in most of our public affairs in the past few
IN
Montana is now clearly and decisively on the upgrade. The
time is approaching when we are to choose men to take charge
of our municipal affairs and it is none too soon to begin to look
around for the right kind of material to correct the mistakes of
the past.