, 1877-09-30

We hope there is no citizen of Chicago
| who will allow himself to forget that there
are five members of the County Board to be
are to bo elected by the voters residing in
| the city. These five mombers are Of moro
| importance to the protection Of the public
| interest than are all the other officers COIL
blned. These men will be the controlling
power in the County Board, and the pro-
ceetlings of the County Board are of more
direct md pecuniary concern to the people
of this city than are those of the State Leg
islature. This Board leyies more taxes to be
collected in this city than does the Legisla-
ture. It is an anomaly in government. It
levies taxes, votes the appropriations, and
its members personally expend the whole
revenue of the county. The members make
I'LL the appropriations they personally pur-
chase the food and clothing for the insane,
for the hospital, for the 'alms-house, and for
the outdoor relicf. They vote the money to
pay for building the Courthouse, aud all
other pub blic buildings; they fix the
price Of materials and Of labor, and vote such
extras in the way of gratuities as may be
asked and perhaps paid for by the contract
OTIS. They are only limited in these e1pend-
itures by the amount Of taxes they can levy
and collect. The Board consists of only
fifteen members, and eight arc at the same
time quorum and majority, and eight
members have absolute power: It is need
less to repeat the history of the present
Board. Several Of the members are now on
trial for official misconduct and dishonesty.
The vacancies happening this year are of
such character that the present ruling ma
jority will DO pcrpotuated, or that majority
will be changed TO a minority, according to
the character of the men who may be elected
this fall. II five honest citizens can be
found who will give their time to the public
service, and they shall be elected then the
public will have some degree of protection
for at least the year to follow. If. however,
q different class of persons shall be elected.
then the disgraceful transactions of several
years past will be repeated with renewed !
Energy.
The Office Of County Commissioner was
1ever intended to be one of profit. To any |
nan having an honest way of living, it in-
Tolved a serious sacrifice of time and |
natter Of lrksome labor to accept the office. |
To the man who seeks it rs matter of |
profit and rs means of living, it presents
many opportunities. No man ought to bo
elected who expects to live upon what he
mn nuke out of it. Any other class Of men
will find that Office, like jury duty, great
burden, however necessary it may be.
In selecting candidates and in voting for
:andidates, the idea of picking out men who
re in want of a means Of living should be
bandoned. The office ought not to pay
over $3.50 year, and that for
II immense amount of labor and of time
10 man ought to be elected who seeks the
lace for the money there is in it, because
onestly there is no money in it. 1t is to
e hoped that every voter in the city will
e impressed with the Importance of this
lection, and that there will be general
nd hearty union Of all parties in the cleo
ion of men who will reform the character
+ that Board.