The daily gazette., 1883-05-01
aIsg6zette
wILMrNeToN. TUESDAY, MAY !,
The water CommissIon.

l
Mr.. william 7, Porter would either resign
his position on the new Water Commission
or " rise above party considerations" which |
means to favor the Republicans in everyin-
stance in the matter of appointments with |
OUT regard 10 questions Of htnees, he was I'm |
the eyes of the Republican organs Of this
city gentleman most emipently qualified
for membership in the Water Commission. |
But at the moment be shows the
least indication of exercising his own
Judgment in the matter OF SELECT
ing chief engineer of the Water De
partment 1t is intimated that in view Of this |
state of affairs "the position of the Republi-
"can member of the Commission is rather
ridiculous" and that "many things may |
"occur which it will be difficult for a man |
"of self respect to endure Had the |
Democratic members of the Commission per-
mitted the Republican member to control the
choice of chief engineer and have his way in
all other matters it would have been all
right, and everything would have worn an
air of extreme non partisan loneliness. The
Democratic members would have been
statesmen fthe first water; their position
would not have appeared at all ridiculous,
though they would be permitting minority
member to control the commission
Now, we think that the Water Comms-
sion ought to be run upon business princi-
plies, without the least regard to party con-
siderations, as well in the selection
of the officers OF the Water Department.
as In the administration of the
department itself. The position Of chief
engineer ought by all rules of non-partisan
logic be giveL to the man who is known to
be the most qualified among the available
men for the place. Judged by this rule the
choice of the commission, if they hare
selected Mr.. McIntire, could not have been
better. There is not another man in the
city, Democratic or Republican, who is
known to be his superior in the possession
OF that practical knowledge of the manage
ment and needs OF the Water Department
which is necessary to insure success, Or who
is better qualified by experience to assume
its control; and there is but one man in the
Republican party-Charles II. Gallagher
who is known to be his equal in these mat
ters, but, as is well known, his appointment
to the place is barred by facts which it
would be neither kind nor pertinent tip spe-
city here.
We cannot believe that Mr. Rodney is de-
sirous of assuming the uutenabe position
which his party organs are attempting to
force upon him. We have not con-
suited him upon the subject, but
we have grave doubts as to whether in the
selection of Mr.. MGlliire for caief engi-
neer bis choice in the matter ls 'ujuR over
ridden in the least. There are strong reasons
for believing that if the appointment were
left entirely to him it would be the same
We know that among husiaess men gener
ally, Republicans and Democrats there wa,
considerable dissatisfaction at the ousting OF
Mr.. McIntire and the election oil Mr.. Coyle b.
Council last December. The proceeding wal
= SO BADLY partiaan-lacking, aside from
party consideration, a single logical reason
for its support-that one of the RepublicaI
Council men felt called upon to publicly pro
test, and finally voted for the change only
on the earnest personal assurances of hi
party associates that the new man was il
every way fully competent for the position
Had the Management of the Water Depart
ment been the issue on which the last mum
cipal election depended it is quite certai
that the change in the Chief Engineershi
made last winter would never have take
place. The people gave no warming"
Mr. McIntire. lie was displaced by I'll
force of partisan circumstances whic
turned, as everyone at all fam liar wit
municipal affairs knows, upon cousidcratio
entirely apart from any question atfectin
the management OF the Water Department
Therefore we maintain thaat the choice
Mr. McIntire is an excellent one, not b.
cause he is Democrat, but because he
the only available man proDeR by u
test Of practical erperiPnce
be fully qualified for the discharge of tf
important duties that devolve upon tt
chirf engineer OF the Water Departmen
while on the other hand he is free from
single objection that can be reasonabl
urged against him upon moral ground
Did the question of competency fl
the place alone enter into the co
sideration of the subject, we should
equally pleased to see Captain Charles
Gallagher at the head of the departmeI
Excepting Mr.. McIntire, there ID not anoth
man in the city who POSSESSES an equ
familiarity with the workings of tie depa
ment, or more intelligent appreciation
Its needs and the means necessary to its 81
cessful management.