Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-08-28
LEADING CITIZENS

Water will not rise above its own level. Neither will
the standards of a community rise above the standards of the
people who make up the community. The people choose
their leaders and whether these leaders are good, bad or
Indifferent, progressive or unprcgressive, depends largely
upon the public.
Every town looks up to its leading citizens. They are
its symbol of power and success. They may be unworthy
of their pedestals, but there they are. They may be occupy
ing their high place entirely on their own assumption, but
it is the public that keeps them there. Inferior and unprin-
cipled men need never continue their authority if the pub
lie wills it otherwise. SO after all, the public is half at fault
if unworthy men continue their leadership.
A story in a recent issue of the Saturday Evening Post
entitled, "The Heart of the Loaf" tempts one to moralize.
The story has to do with a young artist, come back nome
from a few years study in Europe, to find his native town
on the verge of a feud between the two leading families.
The cause of the feud was the claim of each family that its
own recently deceased patriarch had, more than any other
person, left his impress on the town. The family OF the
nudge had inscribed their claim on his tombstone, and now
the family of the banker was to place the same inscription
on a portrait of the banker to be painted by the young arts!
and hung in the new bank on its gala opening day.
Of course, the feud was on as soon as the portrait was
axh;bited. TO the artist the boast of each family was empty,
inasmuch as both Judge and banker: glorying in their con-
servatism, had steadily opposed any progress in the town.
Newcomers were not wanted, industries were kept out, ana
The town had for years absolutely stood still. Ihere hao
been no growth in any direction.
The general outlook of most of the inhabitants was
slightly soured; and the young artist, had partaken OF lhe
village bakers hot and heavy bread for his 1lrst Dreaklas1
in town. discovered that most of the inhabitants Dought Ihelr
bread from this same baker of soggy bread, ana mos' VI
Them suffered from dyspepsia. Whereupon the young arus'
nod an inspiration. He modelled a clay likeness OF te
baker (who had conveniently died), and set II up one hlehC
in tbe village square, with the inscription that had caused
The feud Erected to the memory OF hermann ochall' paher'
Tho more than anv other person has left his impress on the
town. 49,, NIL.
The town read and laughed and paused to think. The
laugh ended the feud.
Rut here also begins the application OF the parable.
The "imnress" left on the town by the baker was dyspepsia,
and perhaps as a result of dyspepsia the impress leit by 'he
two leading citizens was provincialism, which, being inter-
preted, is stagnation.
leading citizens are to the town what the parents are
fo the family, responsible for its ideals, its morals, It's health
and it's growth! Surely there is not much hope Tor any town
If its leading citizens are Indifferent to its growth and It's
health. or to the careful and wise administration OF Its FUNDS
Here we might ask, What is the matter with our town?
How our leading citizens leaving their impress? Are
thew interested first of all in the good of Our Town, or are
thev first. last and all the time for themselves-pohtical
mower. fnan. al gain or mere notoriety?
Are they interested in working for the development OF
our Town in every possible direction? Are they working TO
ot q dollars worth for the town out of every one of the
towns dollars? Are they lending their influence toward
vecnring the most advantageous contracts for the town, the
best and most durable pavements, safe and adequate school,
buildings. Fairgrounds, and parks, necessary hospitals, ral
service from public officials and employees?
Do we want Our Town to be the finest in the state?
Then let us choose our leading citizens from the finest
50 that we can honor their leadership.