The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-11-17
NunicIpal Government Nashville's
Effort at Reform.
Harper's 5 Weekly.]

Harper's Weekly,]
The city of Nashville, in Tennessee,
has adopted municipal policy which
from its admirable results Is well wor-
thy of general attention. The story Is
well told by Mr.. A. 5. Colyar, of Nash
Vile, in the October number of the
Southern Bivouac Until three years
ago the city was governed upon the
ward system-a system which pushes
local government to an absurd extreme,
but which is common in many villages.
Il divides the municipal area into small
sections, just large enough 20 be
"worked" successfully by small men In
the usual venal way. The representa-
tive of each ward is taken from the
ward, and works" for the ward, not for
the city. In Nashville there were two
municipal Houses, of forty-two members
in all, elected by wards. ''When a man
made up his mind to be a professional
politician" says Mr.. Colyar, she estab-
lished a grocery In the ward, or had
friend do it, and with one years work
his election to the City Council was
assured over the best man in the world.
The result was a city government of
small "bosses," which became intoler
able.
A City Relief Association of POO
members was formed, which prepared
charter abolishing the two Houses, and
creating a City Council of ten, to serve
without salary. This Council was TO be
elected upon a general ticket, and was
empowered to enact ordinances for the
government of the city, and to elect a
Board of Public Works composed of
three men, in whose hands the entire
business of the city was placed. The
members of the Board were to devote
themselves exclusively to its duties, and
were each to receive yearly salary of
$4,000. As the duties of the Council
would require very little time, it was
believed, as the result proved, that
thoroughly competent men could be
| induced to serve, and that the salary of
the members of the Board of Public
| Works would secure equally fit men,
which also proved, happily, to be the
fact. The ward politicians fought the
proposed charter in the Legislature, but
| they were defeated. and the Relief Asso-
citation, nominating well-known and
trusted citizens for the Council, pre-
vailed over the ward bosses
/ The secret of the success Of the new
government, according to Mr.. Colyar,
lay in intrusting the business manage
ment of the city TO business men. In
other words, it lay in treating the city
as what il really is-a corporation for
certain common purposes of convenience
and order which have no connection
whatever with politics. Mr.. Colyar ex-
presses some cardinal truths upon this
subject with great force and freshness
not to say with extreme pertinence &C
the city of New York:
ssThe management Of cify's affairs Is simpl.
business and ward politicians cannot frznzact busi
ness The experience of all our cities, without ex
ceptioa, IS that ward politicians have no more 1T
ness for the business be transacted BY city thar
pirates would have for holding religious serrice
lt may he set dewn fact that gang OF war;
politicians could not run hem house
He specifies some Of the good result
of the new system after three years
, trial:
aTaxes have been reduced, streets have been vel
paved. the Fire Department has been greatly i'm
proved, magnificent bridge across the Sumberlan
has been buiit Eafer-Eorks have been undertaken
the tank account il all right the city bonds hay
gone above par and what IL Hnusuais the pcopl
pay their taxes chearfuliys knowing the nsone
win be lsefully expended"