Daily national Democrat., 1860-02-29
Reform Movement.


The Mayor and members Of the present
City Council have done very well for the
city in many respects, and the people will re-
member them for it, They have been gov
erned. upon the whole, by a rigid spirit OF
economy. and the effects will be felt sensihly
for some time to come, in a financial point of
view. 1t is true, that good many necessary
improvements in the limits Of the city have
been neglected, but this has been owing to
the careful desire of the Council not to eX-
pend more money than was in the Treasury
and thus bring the city into debt. still
many very important improvements nave
been made, not the least among which is the
construction of the street Sewer-a work
both economically and lastingly done.
But. the chief evidence which the Council
has given Of their interest in the public good,
is their movement in favor of reduction OF
the expenses of the city government, and in
deed of the county government also. 1t was
the Council who first suggested the policy of
tightening the public burdens, by direct ae-
ton of the people Through them, meet
ing Of citizens was called to take into consid
eration the question Of consolidation or such
other measures Of Reform as might be deemed
most expedient Other meetings, sometimes
of Committees and sometimes of citizens fol-
/ lowed ana the result was that the people,
while they rejected the policy Of consolida-
ton Just at this time, decided in favor of the
/ immediate reduction of the fees and salaries
of county officers. a report Of the Commit
tee appointed by the last meeting will ere
long be laid before the people, and bills pre-
pared to be introduced into the legislature by
the Representatives of this county, cutting
down fees and salaries Of county officers.
In the meantime the Council have not been
idle in forwarding the reformatory measures
for the benefit Of the city. The Committee
appointed to suggest to the Legislature
amendments to the City Charter, the object
of which is the abolishment of certain un-
necessary offices and the reduction of the
emoluments and pay Of others, have already
we believe, completed their work, and sent
down their proposed amendments to the
Legislature There can be but little doubt
that these amendments will be incorporated
into our charter, for the Legislature cannot
well refuse to heed the voice of the people il
a matter in which they alone are interested
The only objections which can possibly be
anticipated to these proposed amendment:
are to come either from the holders or the
E expectants Of office, and they will hardly
have the brass to thrust themselves forward
= At the same time that this work is going
G on, the Council are busy in carrying forward
such measures of reduction as are withir
their own power They cannot alter th
charter but there are various offices in tn
= city which are entirely within their control
- Some OF these they will abolish, such as tn
Office Of City Attorney, which is a perftc
sinecure Others they will reduce as to sala
; ries, fees, ct cetera The City Clerk will hav
" only 81 200 year, which is enough. and vii
have his duties increased The office of Cit,
= Treasurer will probably have all compensa
y ton cut or there being many honest an,
capable men who would be glad to take tn
office for nothing in consideration of tn
!, pecuniary advantages which all business mel
- know the office itself affords. Reductions vii
also lie made in the expenses of the Polio
y Department. These and other measures ar
, already partially Incorporated in several ord
nances introduced into the Council Monda,
evening, and which will be passed.
We congratulate the people of this city OIL
the honesty, integrity and home patriotism o
the present members of the Council, and only
hope that we may secure as good ones iD the
future.