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THE COURIER
ray of Bunshine and hope, and spirits 'that have been dragged down
and are aweary will be refreshed and revivified. There will be some
thing to hope for, and the notes of joyous hilarity will fill the air
where before all was still and sombre. The base ball seasoD will
open in a few weeks and forgetting the cares of business and the
troubles that afflict us, we will make our voices tired and sore, ask
ing, ever asking, "What'B the score?' " .
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EKTEEEI) AT THE LINCOLN' POSTOFFICE AS bECOXD-CLASS MATTEU.
PUBLISHED EVERY SATUKDAY BY
THE COURIER PUBLISHING COMPANY.
OFFICE 1134 N 8TREET.
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W. MORTON 8MITH, Editor.
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A limited number of advertisements will be inserted. Rates made known on
application.
Lincoln, Neb, Saturday, April 14, 1804.
The afternoon newspaper that has been throwing stones has of
late been endeavoring to pull down the blinds of its own mansion.
Albany, X. Y., gave the democratic state ticket a plurality of 5000
last year. Tuesday of this week a republican mayor was elected in
that city, and he had about 3,500 votes to spare. Straws in "94 point
to a deluge in "96.
The country that Mr. Cleveland and his party have bankrupted
can issue bonds to make up deficiencies; but the individuals who
have been bankrupted by the demoralizing policy of the government
cannot issue bonds to cover their liabilities.
Republicans in this state are beginning to realize the importance
of sending a republican to the United States senate and it is prob
able that the election of the legislative ticket will receive more at
tention this year than it has usually received.
Mb. George J. Woods was elected president of the city council
at the meeting Tuesday night Mr. Woods is the youngest member
of that body, and in electing him president his brother councilmen
recognized in a becoming manner an officer who has been untiring
in his efforts to serve the people of the city, and who has in one
year made an enviable record for integrity and efficiency.
Colonel Thompson in making his argument in defense of Colonel
Breckinridge referred to his client as a noble man. There is a class of
more or less polished noble men of the world who move in good society
and who talk much about their "honor, but whose moral sense is so
perverted that they condone almost any infraction of the so-called
social code bo long as there is no public exposure; men who are
gentlemanly Dr. Jeckylls in the drawing rooms and brutal Mr. Hydes
in the by-ways. It is a good thing that the peculiar nobility of
which Colonel Breckinridge is such a shining exemplar is not
more numerous than it is.
The burden of the business stagnation which for months has
crushed the spirit of men. and made the struggle for bread and meat
and coffee, to say nothing of the struggle for the maintenance of
mansions and chariots and footmen and valets, and all that sort of
thing, a desperate and ceaseless toil, will in 'a few weeks have lost
much of its oppressive influence. There's a time coming, and com
ing soon, when thoughts will no longer dwell on falling markets
and empty stores and ditto bank accounts, and impending visits of
the collector or the deputy sheriff; a time when life will take on a
new meaning. Into the depression and gloom will come a bright
The newly elected republican members of the city council were
elected on a platform demanding economy in the expenditure of the
city's money, and the restriction of the annual outlay to the amount
of the levy. A strict adherence to this demand is what the people
want, not only from the new members, but from the whole council,
and that body can engage in no more important work than that of
trimming the edges and cutting off all useless expense. It seems to
us that the resolution which Mr. Webster introduced at the meeting
Tuesday night is in direct accord with the platform of the late re
publican city convention, and with the desire of citizens generally.
It provides that no member Bhall vote for any expenditure that
would exceed the amount of the levy; that the funds for the street,
sewer and water extensions be divided in the same ratio as the as
sessed valuation of the ward bears to the total valuation of the city;
that all unnecessary employes be discharged and that expenses gen
erally be cut down. These provisions are based on sound business
principles, and they are fair and honest. The council could have
made a very pleasing showing of a determination to do the right
thing by promptly passing this resolution.
Mayor Weir in his annual message to the city council made some
recomoiendations that are deserving of careful consideration. His
suggestion that the charter be amended so that the salary of the mayor
shall be 82.500 or $3,000 with the proviso that he give his whole
time to the administration of city affairs, is in line with the recom
mendation of nearly every citizen who has give public expression of
his views on good municipal government in the recent agitation of
this subject in Lincoln. The salary of the mayor ought to be in
creased to such an amount that the man elected to this important
office could afford to give his whole time to his official duties. The
smallest amount named by the mayor, $2500, would be large enough
to recompense a good business man for his time, and it would be a
stroke of real economy on the part of the city to increase the salary
to this extent. The mayor's remarks about the financial condition
of the city are apropos. The city is living beyond its means, and
under Mayor Weir's reform administration there has been very
little evidence of a tendency to reduce the expenditures of public
money. Despite what ho says about the excellent credit of the city
at the present time it is a fact that the financial affairs of Lincoln
were never in such a hopeless state as now. The city should indeed
live within its income. It should have commenced several years
-ago.
Ever' few days we read of some honest farmer being caught in
the net of the green goods man. This spring the crop seems to be
unusually large, antLa great deal of money is being squandered by
these susceptible citizens in the attempt to realize wealth at a single
bound. The desire to get something for nothing is an inherent
trait in a portion of humanity, and needs only a touch to become a
passion. Hold up a chance to suddenly acquire wealth and a man
who has always led an honest life; who has scarcely ever had a dis
honest thought, will grasp at it eagerly, no matter what the terms.
Honor is thrown to the winds and conscience is put to sleep. If it is
a gambling transaction, a counterfeiting scheme, a lottery, a forgery,
or any other swindle, it is all the Bame, once the spirit of cupidity is
aroused. Money becomes the object of life and the end of all things,
and in the contemplated possession of suddenly acquired wealth
there is a sufficient solace for the act of degradation. Many a staid
and honest man has been tempted by the vision of a few thousand
dollars, and in the desire to become a rich man, ready made, has
bartered away hk manhood, spoiled an honorable career and sold
his soul. Men who are willing to try the easy road to wealth, which
honest people should shun, are found in the country and city ' alike.
The only difference is that residents of the towns and citiew have
had a little more experience and know the perils better. '
There may be only a narrow way between, insanity and
a good many people pass through it.
genius, but
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