Morning journal and courier., 1883-11-26
THE TAXPAYERS, ASSOCIATION.

TaE TAAPAT ER$' ASSOCIATION.
 We take great pleasure in publishing this morning cali for 8 meeting of taxpayers signed by number of prominent citizens. This meeting will deubtless be we'll attended, and progress will be made towards forming taxpayers association. As our readers well know, the JOURNAL AND CoUR1nR has for some time been advocating the formation of such an association. A week or two ago VIC called attention to the association which exists in Rensselaer, county, New York. One article of the constitution of this association pro- vides that it shall keep itself wholly aloof from politics We are informed that some of those active in the movement here wish to have this feature of the New Haven organi- zation. If the intention is to have nothing to do with party politics we should say that this proviaion was a sine qatG ,ao7a To lend it's aid to either political party would utterly destroy ths efficacy of such an organ izasion. It would be regarded, and justif- ably, as piece of party machinery. If an organization of this kind is to have the conf dence of the people, and ia in the name of the tsxpaying public to exercise any infIu- once in our municipal affairs, it must not only be strictly neutral politically, but it must be believed to be 30. It must not only not be captured by politicians, but It must not give them prominent place either in it's organization or it's councils. It must avoid even the appearance of evil
 But while we believe that a taxpayers as- sociRtion should be free from party politics, we cannot assent to the view that in a broad sE -l politics. If the article in the constitution of the Rensselaer, association goes to this ex- tent we think that the association has made mistake. It has placed . very unnecessary limit upon it's own povers-has deprived it. self of one of the most eminent agencies of reform. The primary object of this orgeni- zation, as indicated by its constitution, seems to be that of investigation, to discover the sources of high taxation, to find out where the waste is, to unearth fraud and to bring these matters to public attention. But hers it's mission seems to come to 8 sudden stop. To be sure, to go even thus far is to accomplish goed deal. It is to take the first and perhaps the most necessary step. The evil must be pointed out bsfors it can be remedied, bat, after all, to point 1t out is not to remedy it. Even to secure the con- viction of public thieves is to punish but not necessarily to prevent corruption. In prosecuting it's reforms the society is obliged to work with, or more often against officials chosen by political methods which are corrupt and which are themselves the source of cor ruption. Tho society by its constitution has cut itself of from making any effort to pro
 vide itself with any better tools than these. It proposes to root out corruption, but in doing it, so far as public officials are neces- sary instruments for this purpose, 1t pro- poses to use only those which the corruption ists themselves supply. The purpose of the association does not reach back far enough. It may expose, perhaps punish corruption, but it does not touch It's source. The society has unquestionably done good work, but it 1oust of necessity be incomplete work. It doubtless diminishes but it does not prevent corruption or extravagancs. The only way to prevent them is to effect the choice of honest aud capable officials, and this cannot be done by keeping aloof from politics. The taxpayers of Philadelphia chose 8 committee to look after their interests This committee very soon found that if it was to accomplish anything at all it must have something to do with politics. It made selection from Sue candidates nominated by both political parties. But in doing this it aid itself open to the charge of partizanship,