Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-03-20
Municipal Reform in the Risht Dircc-
Han

Z
in this city, and desires to make this point
quite decidedly for the reason that, as this
city alone is affected by the measure, the as
sertions that IL is received with public in
dignation here, would If not contradicted,
have some influence with the action of the
General Assembly," and it observes:
1--WE have probably as good right and as
much authority as Others, to speak OF or for
the public opinion OF this city.
We were not aware that the business of
manufacturing and selling newspapers to the
people of Cincinnati, gave the publisher any
more authority TO represent the people in
matters of legislation, than the baker has,
who supplies them With bread, or the brewer
who supplies them with lager-bccr. Are the
people of this city aware that when they pay
their two cents for the Commercial they au-
thorize that paper to represent their opinion
on measures of legislation which take away
their right to govern themselves? Certainly
this is most momentous two-pcnny invest
ment. We doubt if the people were aware
how much virtue went with their two cents
But perhaps the Commercials claim to
authority to speak for the public opinion of
the people of this city is acquired by fur
nishing them their opinions and ideas. Il
that is the basis of the claim, it explains
the Commercials conviction that they
are incapable ofgoverning themselves. That
would settle the question of capacity for self
government at once.
The people of this city are told authorita-
lively, that "the one seemingly hopeless
feature in our government has been the City
Council" and that the Ferguson act is Sin
the right direction of reform" The Ferguson
Bill takes the administration of the city i'm
provements from the City Council, and puts
it in the power Of Board, to be appointed by
the Superior Court. As both of these insti-
tutions are elected by the people, the inquiry
arises why one should be hopeless feature
and the other "a radical reform in the right
direction" The people certainly have their
pick of just as good men for the Council as
for the Superior Court or for this contract
ing board. If they do not elect them, the
fault is in the people; so that really the hope
less feature of the city government is
people themselves.
This is the feature that is to be reformed,
and any measure which removes the control
of the city government farther from the peo-
pie, the Commercial calls reform in the
right direction" Thus, by a hocus-pocus
of legislative interference, taking the admin
istration of the city improvements from the
City Council, which is elected biennially in
alternate years, so that its relations are close
to the people, and putting it in the hands of
board appointed by the Superior Court,
which is elected for five years, places it be-
yond the people for period long enough to
accomplish great many magnificent enter
prises, in city which is so rich placer for
plunder as this This the Commercial calls
"a reform in the right direction;' but in the
right direction merely, for this principle OF
reform is capable of indefinite extension.
Ifremoving power from the people by long
terms of Office and by appointments within
elections, is ''reform in the right direction
why not perfect our Government at once,
and abolish this hopeless popular feature?
The French did brilliant stroke Of reform
in the right direction" The hopeless popu-
lar feature has not troubled them since.
Perhaps the ardent admiration which the
Emperor's Italian campaign inspired in our
neighbor, gave this extraordinary bent to
his mind in the right direction of reform.
Also, if the right direction Of reform is in
reducing the number of those to whom the
administration is committed, why not carry
the thing out at once to its logical conclusion,
in the French fashion
As for the Legislature, let them ex-
anime this question in the light of COM
mon sense, il there is such thing in
that body. Is our Government founded
on the principle that the power is in the
people, and that government should be as di-
rectly responsible to them as is compatible
with practical and convenient working? lfit
is, what right have they to take the manage
ment of our city affairs away from the peo-
ple and put it in the control Of an appoint
ing power? Dare they defend the principle
of this legislation? If carried out in the
State, it would abolish the Legislaturea ut once.
Even if there we're any considerable portion
of the people of this city in favor of this leg
islative usurpation, it would not affect the
question. What right would portion of the
people of Cincinnati have to call on the Leg
islature to deprive the whole people of the
control of their affairs? No such right exists,
either in the Legislature or in the people
The rights ofthe people can not be alienated,
either by themselves or by the Legislature.
The Ferguson act is contrary to the funda-
mental principles of our Government. If
our Constitution is a thing of any positive
principles, it is in violation Of that.
Would any member OF the Legislature like
to go before the people for reelection and
defend the principle of this measure? He
had better be handicapped with a milestone
for political canvass. Let them reflect how
the Republican Legislature will stand before
the people of this city, with this measure, the
principle of which is an insult to the people,
and which, in practice, places the admins
tration of the most important of our city af-
fairs, and those having the greatest facilities
for corruption, entirely beyond their control,
in the hands of close corporation, where
the danger of corruption will be ten fold in
creased. No candidate will venture to go
before the people Of this city with the load OF
this measure to carry; and any defense of il
on the part of any public journal, is only