Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-04-18
Alefan0rla Qbax&tte
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1877.
The Proper Government of Cities.

The Proper Government of Cities.
Whatever may be the practical outcome ie
the form Of legislation the discussion excited
by the report Of Gov. Tllden's commission on
reform in the government OF cities to the
New York Legislature cannot fail to do good.
Whatever may be thought OF the commission 4
recommendations, no one eau question the cor
rectness Of the statement and analysis given Ci
the evils incident to the present system OF mu-
nicIpal government and their causes. The CON-
mission find no remedy short Of radical
change in the system ITSELF The great evil they
find to be that the control Of municipal expen-
ditures under the present system is too fire.
Iquently in the hands OF persons who have little
or no personal stake in the prosperity OF the
community, who pay 90 large amount Of taxes
| themselves, and who are rarely fitted by educa-
ton or experience Tor the management Of the
| affairs OF great public corporation. Not feel
ing themselves the burden of taxation which
they impose upon others, city cOuncilmen aud
aldermen are found to be remarkably generous
and liberal in the expenditure Of tho public
money. Not being, as rule, trained and ex.
perlenced business men-ior that class unfor.
tunately too commonly shrk all personal par.
tieipation in public affairs and in politics gen
| erally-they arc liablo to be imposed upon, and
| when personally honest give their sanction to
| measures which are mere jobs and raids upon
the public treasury, speciousy yelled under
the name Of desirable public improve
ments" From these causes Spriug the reckless
ness and extravaganza IN muDlclpal expendl-
lures for which, equally With downright steal.
ing and corruption, the New York commission
ho, Ibo
law of the State OF New York for the incorpo-
ration of villages aud snail towns, passed 10
pursuance Of Il provision Of the State cons!ltu.
ton OF 1916, prohibits the creation Of any debt
by the corporations thus formed or any extra
ordinary expenditure, except By the EOtc OF the
taxpayers. This provision Of the general la~
the commission recommend shall be applied to
all municipal governments, by placing the con-
troll OF all their expenditures IN the hands OF
special bodies elected in each town or city by
the votes Of the taXpaylug and rentpaylOg cltl.
zeDs, and styled boards Of finance. ln other
words, the commission think that relief 10 tax
payers and property holders in large cities can
only be had through restriction Of the sui
irago and the introduction oil modified sort OF
property qualification. The effect OF such
scheme would be necessarily 10 create for mu
nlcipal purposes two classes OF voters, the one
embracing the Whole body Of legal voters elect
ing the ordinary officers Of tho city government.
the other and smaller class choosing the board
of finance. The practical working of such
scheme may well be dlstrusted, while the like
lihood OF its adoption, even by way OF expert
ment, is extremely small. After all, the eth.
cheney OF any government must depend upon
| the men who are selected TO admlolster II.
There is no such thing possible as a sef.actlog
nj which
correct its 0wn Irregularities, and relieve the
people OF tho responsibility OF looking alter
| lis operation. There is nothing which vii!
make good government possible either iu
villages, cities States. OF in the country
at large, except care aud attention on tho part
| of those who have the greatest interest in hav-
| inc good government While VIC have sug'
| cested that the field OF discussion opened up
| by the commissioner report is most import
ant one, and the report itself Is worthy OF care.
| ful study and consideration, more can be gained
| lust now by cndcavOrng to make an improve
ncut in the character ot the two men who ad'
| minister our municipal governments than by
seeking to alter tho basis upon which those
| governments rest. The one is on object, i'm.
| mediate, direct and practicable; tho other OF
uncertain utility aud doubtful accomplishment.
| The new system, if it we're possible TO adopt
one, like the old, YOU'D depend altogether ior
| its efficiency upon the Interest maultcstcu ny
| by people generally in public affairs and the
wisdom exhibited in their choice OF men TOR
public Office. Otherwise the new system might
work as badly ~ the DID, and the neglect OF
| their political duties by the many lead, as ncw'
| 10 the concentration Of political power IN the
hands of the fcwthc machine politicians and
professional managers ln Baltimore what Is
needed, and perhaps all that is needed, Is
healthy, active interest 90 the part OF citizens
generally, taxpayers and Icntpaycrs Included,
in the choice of proper men for the City Coun'
ell and tc represent the city IN the State Legs
Iature. The system may be far from perfect
hut pcrfcction is not 20 be hoped Or-aDd IT'S
nractical working will occasion little trouble II
II il in the right hand4 We cannot escape
taxes altopether but we can have them kept
within reasonable bounds; aud above all we can
avoid all waste aud useless expenditure OF the
public money il We make selection or prudeh',
honest and capable business men Tor the prac'
tcaI manapcmcn, of nunicipaI aif.rs.-BdHo.
SIN.
\ CHURCH INCIDENT.-Au amusing Incident
occurred recently at a church IN Connecticut.
The clcrpyman desired to call attention OF the
CONGREGATION to the fact that, it being the last
Sunday in the month. ne would administer the
rite OF baptism to children. Previous to haVc
ing entered the pulpit be received FROM one oil
the elders, who. by the way, was quito deaf, 2
notice to tho effect that as the children would
be present that afternoon and lie had the new
Sunday School books ready for Distribution, nc
would have tiem ready to sc to all who de-
sired them. After the service the clergyman
began the notice Of the baptiama service thus:
"AlI Of those having children aad desiring TO
have them baptscd will brlOs them this after'
Doou.' at this point the deaf elder. heaFlog
the name OF children supposed it was some
thing in relerenca TO his books, aod, rising
said :-"All Of those hagiog none and daslrln9
them will be supplied By mc tor the sum OF 20
cents each.
80 CSCAK +. BAGGEIT, EEyE7a
GTS.S&TA Dealer in VEEg3