The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-03-15

THE NEW OR THE OLD:

The interview with Mr.. John Z. Murphy
in yesterdays INDEPENDENT clearly sets
forth the advantages Of the new charter
rs seen by an intelligent and sagacious
business man who has made Il careful
study Of systems of municipal govern
ment. Mr.. Murphy, as a member OF
the charter commission, has spent much
time and labor on the new instrument
and is prepared to speak understanding
Nv OF it's provisions. OF the most I'M
portant feature, that providing for a
board of public works and affairs. he
strongly approves. He believes the tax
payers will derive great benefit from the
Intelligent supervision OF municipal eN-
penditures by three men, not more than
two of whom shall be members OF the
same political party. who shall give all
their time 10 the city's business. Mr..
Murphy thus states the good results
that he anticipates from such a board:
The commission concl uded that the pat
ronaee of the city would not be nearly so
apt to be used for political purposes If there
was a minority member of the board of
public works. If there was anything OF
the kind the minority member would know
It.. If all members of the board were OF
one way of thinking it might be otherwise
Tn provision that no two of the board
shall be from the same ward or section was
meant to prevent any favoritism OF locall-
ties. Again, the board is to employ all the
city help-police, firemen, workmen, etc.
The object all the way through was to have
a responsible head. That responsible head
is the city council. They appoint the mem
bers of the board, who are responsible to
them. They city council is responsible to
the people. who will look to them to see
that the proper men are chosen for the
board of public works. If the members of
the board do not do their work properly
the city council has the power to remove.
Such being the case, the board must be in
position to hold those under them to &C
countability. This gets at the responsible
ity at once.
1t must be necessary to have some ono
to see that the city work il done properly.
If there ia a piece of work to be done that
will cost over $500 the board must submit
the matter to the city council and get au-
thority to do it. If the work costs over $50
and not more than $500 it will not be nee
essary to go to the city council, but the
board must advertise for bids. Under $50
the board can act without advertising. 1t
was not thought necessary to hold every
little piece of work till the city council
meets, as all the bills mas be audited by
that body, and that is a good safeguard.
The members of the board are to attend
the council meetings, where their work will
be passed on. and thus save the time of the
council. While the powers of the board are
pretty broad in some parts of the charter,
it will be found that they are very much
limited in others.
This is a very fair and accurate state
ment of the argument for the change
proposed in creating this board. What
are the objections offered to it, The
columns of HE INDEPENDENT are open
to all our citizens who may desire to
criticize or commend the new instru-
ment. There is just one week for the
discussion. Let us have both sides
clearly and pointedly stated. Fellow
citizens, you have the floor.