Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-11-08
Baltimore,s Reform Mayor.

Ex-senator Whyte was fnaugurated mayor Of
Baltimore yesterday, and, in view Of his manner
OF election, twthout opposition), and OF his posi-
tive declarations In favor of municipal REFORM his
administration will he watched with interest out
side of Baltimore well inside OF that city. The
cities OF the Union which have. like Baltimore, suf
Tered from ring rule, are numerous, and efforts to
overthrow bosses and establish honest local govern
mentS are being made in all parts OF the country.
Mayor Whyte enters upon the duties of his office
under favorable auspices, in some respects. He
has held high and responsible public positions hith-
erto, which he filed with honor To himself
and satisfaction to his constituents. He is
given credit for an honest purpose to enforce
the measures which he regards as essential to
the welfare and prosperity OF Baltimore.
The new mayor, no doubt, has the sympathy and
support OF all good citizens of his city and Of
other cities. in his determination to reform the
evils which have grown up under years Of success
siye partisan rule. The question OF paramount
import nCe is, Will the city councils support or
tagonize the mayor in his policy: The Old parti-
san regime succeeded in eecting ali the members
o; the councils and il is feared that these men
may hold their allegiance to the ring as superior
tn the claims OF the people upon them. Possibly
this obstacle may not present itself, but If IL does
brave determined mayor, with public sentiment
ut his back. can still accomplish good deal.
In his inaugural address the mayor displays that
courage and determination which he Will prob
ably need during all of his term of Office He dis
tincty points out the reforms he considers neceS-
sary, and declares his purpose TO achieve them.
He takes issue with the old regime in a number OF
questions but on no one point does he emphasize
his departure from old methods with more posi-
tiveneSs than when he declares for redivisiOn OF
The wards and new registration In this utterance
ne declares war against the ring, for 1t Is by and
through the old registration that the politicians
have maintained their aScendency. Mayor Whyte
also commits himself to a revision of the city de-
partmentS. with the view OF correcting evils and
OF economy. He proposes better system OF street
Cleaning. by putting responsible man at the head
or that department instead of the health officer.
He thinks the paving and repaving OF streets
should Dr. done by the city, and that it could thus
be done 1T less cost than now He proposes TO urge
upon councils an improvement and extension of
the sewerage system The drainage. he says, is
utterly inadequate and one OF his first duties will
be to see 10 its improvement He fayorS Stree
water with general tax to bear the expenses of
maintaining the water works; advises the erection
OF drinking fountains throughout the city; pro-
poses a change in the police commissioner law,
50 as TO make the mayor an er-OGciO member OF
the board. The message has been received with
general approval, and Baltimore evidently expects
much from her new mayor.