Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-30
PITrsBURG. TUESDAY. DEC. so, 1890
THE MAYORS MESSAGE.

Mayor GourleY'S message to Co1ncils con-
veys the idea OF a broader and keener SER
veilIauce O. CITY affairs by the Chief Execu-
tive than has hitherto been customary, This
is one of the results OF the Charter of 1887,
which divested the Mayor of the petty func-
tions of police magistrate, and set before
him instead a larger consideration OF all
matters of municipal interest Mayor
Gourley approaches this task with an ade-
Quate view OF its scope. The most salient
OF his recommendations yesterday is an
amendment TO the Charter by which the
heads of the departments shall be elected
bv the people, in place of being chosen as
now by Councils, and that the Mayoralty it.
self be vested with authority involving
larger responsibility than attaches to mere
suggestion and review. Both points are
we'll taken. The present heads of the
departments In Pittsburg have in the main
been very efficient; and some of them,
notably the Chie.s of Public Works and
Safety, have shown even a laudable zeal
for good government and for the city's inter-
est. These officials hold their placa by
Councilmanic selection. This, however,
by no means vitiates The idea that an amend
ment placing the choice directly in the
hands OF the voters would be guarantee
for the future. That the people are capable
of direct appreciation OF efficient and honest
work in office is not to be doubted; and the
tenure of capable men would be more likely
TO be secure in this way than otherwise.
A three years term would prevent too fire.
Quent changes.
The Mayor discusses with considerable
force tie need Tor a reformation in the sys-
TEN of real estate assessments, better equal
ization of burdens than is now done. Until,
however, a new system be devised city
assessments remain matter of detail for the
judgment and conscience of the assessors.
1t would be good thing if Mr.. Gourley
and others were to present plan 10 work
out the desired end. The present system has
been abundantly and justly criticised, so
that interest would readily awaken in any
thing better that might be offered. The
same remark applies with even greater
force to county assessments, which are not
only not SO fair as those OF the city, but are
often mere travestY.
The Mayors position on the free bridge
question and upon the management of the
sinking fund will also commend itself to
the public as sound. He realizes that the
difficulty and delay in purchasing any of
the existing private bridges, at such prices
as the owners would be sure to put upon
them, would either postpone free communi-
cation with the Soutnside Indefinitely or
else involve burden OF cost far beyond the
extent of new constructions. By selecting
the site TO- the initial free bridge at Twenty
filth street, near which no bridge now
exists, and which would YET give the most
direct and immediate connection with
Schenlev Park, the Mayor follows the DRIFT
of popular needs and opinion upon the
Southside, and at the same time gives no
excuse for such opposition as the private
corporations owning the present toll bridges
would interject into Councils if the first free
bridge came so close as to trench upon their
revenues.
The Mayors message, on the whole, is
worthy of attentive consideration and OF
favorable action hereafter by Councils