The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-10-22
MUNICIPALGOVERNMHN7
Full Of Evils That Are
Difficult to Remedy.
INTERESTING POLITICAL LECTURE.
Otto Grouse Entertains the Hud-
son Democratic Society-The
Business Session.
INTERESTING POLITICAL LECTURE.

The Hudson Democratic Society held
its annual meeting last evening in its
new clubhouse on Barrow street. The
meeting was well attended and deep
interest was taken in the proceedings
by all present. The election for
officers resulted in the reelection OF ex-
Judge A. @. Garretson President and the
choice of Robert Elliott. Vice President;
Joseph Bedle, Secretary; Fred Carter.
Treasurer, and George Record, Wallace
Fisk and Thomas Eagan members of the
Board of Governors.
The amendment to the constitution
providing for associate members who,
though not Democrats. should be entitled
to all the privileges of the club, but
should not be entitled to vote or take any
part whatever in the business Of the AS
sociatlon, was, after some discussion,
voted down. The amendment providing
that any member of the Board of Mama
gers who should absent himself from two
meetings of the Board in succession with
out valid excuse should cease to be
member of the Board, was adopted.
SOMETHING OF A SENSATION.
Fred Wolbert precipitated q lively dis
cussion by offering resolution that the
club endorse the county Democratic tick
ct. The debate was participated in by
Willard Fisk, DR.. John T. McGill and
others. The resolution was not adopted.
The society then opened its doors and
listened to a well written and carefully
prepared paper by Otto Grouse upon
'.The Causes of Municipal Mis-Govern-
ment in the United States" Mr..
Grouse began by saying that it was
easier to critioise than point out
remedy tor the evil--a simpler thing to
lind fault with a picture than paint
better. But in the realm of municipal
government, If nothing else. one is for
given for criticising and merely crlticis-
So % monumental the defects, SO
gigantic the failures. No form of
government can be devised which will, in
the face Of majority OF ignorant or in
different voters. secure the election OF
honest and capable officers and an Impair
tial and economic administration Of pub
lie affairs.
A SERIOUS PROBLEM.
The problem is great one. The world
has moved faster thBn the combined hon
esty and governmental integrity Of man.
Mr.. Grouse then showed that in this
country and those Of Europe the cities are
constantly growing, while rhe rural
population is declining. He next took up
the history of municipal governments
from the earliest times, which was one of
the most interesting features Of his pa
per.
City government in England was fou nded
800 years ago and was the counterpart of
the National government, the Mayor
standing for the King. the Aldermen for
the House of Lords, and the Common
Council for the House of Commons
New York is our oldest city govern
ment and was formed on this English
plan. In 1864 Governor Nichols ap-
pointed a Mayor, five Aid ermen and
and sheriff. Had Jersey City then been
in existence Governor Nichols would
From this Mr.. Grouse went on and gave
history OF the municipal government of
Philadelphia, Washington and Brooklyn.
JERSEY CITY.
In speaking of Jersey City Mr.. Grouse
said that under the charter OF
was created, and 1t, together with the
other boards named in the charter. were
appointed by the Legislature In joint
meeting. This seems to have been
failure as legislative interference in New
saS.souepts YIgs Tas ,hs boaqds bfsardis' wspa ana
elected BY the people, How any person
reviewing the municipal situation of the
country, and glancfng but hastily at our
existing government could stand
against new charter for this city
is hard to understand. The charter
tQOPtcu Dy OCiSCJt OAbJ Al AOoo 40 AA AAAOOO
line with municipal advancement 1t
gave the executor power which made him
no longer figurehead and placed upon
him the responsibility. In its essential
and salient points. then, the charter was
good one. 1t was defective In many
points; it came evidently from various
sources. Its methods of appointment
were more far reaching than Brooklyn,
where the Comptroller and Auditor are
elected by the people. Its method of re-
moval is copied after the New YORK
system, but the underlying principle of
responsibility of power is wnat scientific
men say are essential is the one thing
manifest. Mr.. Grouse concluded by re-
commencing some improvements in the
present charter OF Jersey City.
Mr. C. G. Black spoke upon the sub
ject, dwelling mainly upon the lack of
responsibility in municipal governments
and recommended fixing the responsible
ity upon one individual. Dr. l.. ]. Cor
don also spoke.
Mr.. WILLIAMS DENIES.