The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-03-16
KEY TO THE SITUATION.
John Stedman Believes It Is in
the Method Of Securing
Good Men.
He Points Out Some Leaks
and Abuses Under the Old
System.
we Must Soon Have a Change-Why Not
Accept the Amended City
Charter?

charter, gave LIS SAeWS yoS0oA~"J
three features of the instrument whion nave
invited criticism. "These are the election
Of aldermen at large, the board OF public
works and the arrangement for street
work" said Mr.. Stedman. II say the COM
mission found after thorough consldera-
ton of the subject, correspondence ana
consultation with those best able to judge
and who had experience in this matter, That
by the election of aldermen at largo the
CITY would be enabled to secure a better
class of men for the purpose. under the
old system many good men refused to allow
their names to 90 before the public as can
dates for Office. If the new charter Is
adopted we can get that class of mon;
faithful and capable business men who are
in every way qualified to fill the positions
with credit to themselves and the city. By
this method Of selecting aldermen the city
will be able to secure men of recognized
business capacity. That is the key to the
whole situation. 1t is we'll known at the
present time that the nomination and cleo
ton of a mayor depends to a great extent
on how many he promises office. The new
arrangement would make him entirely IN
dependent of them. 1t appears to me that
the strongest and most popular and best
fitted man would get there.
"Now as to the board of public works.
The three members will virtually take the
place of the three present heads OF depart
ments-the street commissioner, the city
marshal and the fire marshal. Inc salaries
and expenses of the members OF the board
would not amount to any more than the
present officers mentioned are getting. The
cost of boarding Of prisoners, as now man
aged, is enough alone to pay the salary OF
one member of the board. This goes to the
city marshal, who is getting 80 cents per
day for each prisoner. One days board is
charged for every prisoner brought to the
city Jail whether he is furnished a meal or
not. I am led to believe that the marshaIs
Office is worth from $4,000 to $1,000 per
year. If this is true, this amount under the
new charter would be saved and made to
pay the salaries of the members of the
board of public works. So it cannot be
said that the board would be
an additional expense. If this
item does not come up to the
expectation I feel reasonably certain that
enough leaks will be stopped to supply the
deficiency. Another abuse which has al
ways been prevalent to a greater or less ex-
tent in the past has been in the contract
ing. auditing and paying of bills. 1t ap-
pears to me that every person in any way
connected with the city government uses
his own discretion about bills and the ..
X. of the council auditing committee is too
easily obtained. Many items are passed
with hut scanty investigation without look
ing into their merits. Under the new
charter all purchases will be made by the
board of public works upon regular requlsl'
tions, which will be returned with the bills
and be subject to the inspection of the
council. This would stop another bae
leak.
"Another point. The chairman of the
different committees are supposed to looi
after and enter into the minor details of the
affairs of their several departments
For instance, take the chairman on
streets and alleys. He ia expected tc
see to all the details of street work, and SEE
carried out. AS it now stands he cannot
afford to devote all of his time to these du-
ties. He is able to accomplish but little in
the way of saving the city from unnecessary
expense, because he can only work through
the council by way of log-rolling for a ma
tain piece OF work should be done. Nc
matter how upcalled for or unreasonable,
or what the expense, he can only see tEal
the work is carried out as ordered by the
council. 1t ia easy to see that this super
vision by heads of departments amounts tc
next ,;nn to !; nothing 9Ss;s. orai Wb.t TINS msv situ 3,
called heads of departments, namely
chief of police, fire marshal, ane
street COMMISSIONS are now appointed by
the mayor, generally as a reward for polltl.
cal services rendered, and confirmed by
the council, without much consideration
as to fitness. Each runs his department tt
suit himself, backed by the dominant part,
in the council. The result is the employ
ment of unnecessary numbers of men j,
many instances, and keeping a large forc'
employed after the work for which the,
were engaged has been done and they cal
no longer be OF any practical use. 1t seem
easy under tho present system to fn
authority to employ. but the authority t.
discharge is not easily invoked
"The board of public works, after tn
first year, would a but one membe
elected by the council under which th
board would be acting, the other two mem
bers not beng in any way beholden to tina
body for their positions. Not more than tw
of the board can be of the sam
political party. The board can make II
extraordinary expenditure without the col
sent of the council, and the council cannc
act without the advice and corporation
the board. 1t will thus be seen that i'll sue
a way they will be removed as far AZ poss
Bile from local or political influences. A
their work must be submitted to tn. inspe
ton of the council. and in such a way as
be known to every citizen who will take tt
trouble to read it. They will not only tai
the place OF the present heads of depar
ments, but also of the chairmen of tt
different council committees, thus putin
each department under one ~responpib
head subject, of course, to the control
the full board and the acquiesence of Il
council.
II fail to see how any reasonable pers,
can doubt as to which of these two systeI
would be the best for the city. The pr
vision for street grading. ETC., i think, Is
matter that will affect us more in the ne
future than any other in the new chartt
We know there is no money ut present
the treasury for any public work, and the
improvements this year. Under the pr
posed arrangement Is per cent. of the sire
grading will be charged to the proper
benefited. And under these conditio
there ia a prospect of a greater amount
street Improvement during the coming &c
son than we have ever had before. II
will give the people the benefit of a Lar
expenditure of money without depleti
the city treasury to any great extent a
allowing owners of outside property to I
for the benefits they will receive in the
HANGED value of their lands.
THE charter commission accepted
task OF framing the new charter at this
quest of the people of this city. They tr
to do their duty; they obtained all the
formation possible from every source be
ing on tie subject; their interests W
identical with other taxpayers of the G.
they received not a dollar for their servit
for the public good in this direoti
and believe they have offered to the p
pie of tho city in the amended cha,
as good an instrument as could be posi-
devised at the present time.
II will say for myself that ten years