The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-01-27

son that the laws governing our cities have
been practically the same allover the corn-
try. They all came from q single source.
They were modelled after the reform bill
adopted by Parliament in 1884. for the gov
eminent of English cities and towns. The
remedy suggested by the writers on this
subject is the most obvious. 1t is to apply
TO our city governments the same principle
which has worked well In State and nation
oil governments, viz: To completely eepa-
rate the legislative, the executive and judi
cial functions; to give to the Council legis-
iative powers only; to create executive OF
ices entirely independent of the Council. to
whom should be intrusted all executive
functions and the actual carrying on of the
clty's business, limited, however, In their
the city legislature might see fit TO make;
and TO vest the Judicial power, the trial
of petty criminals. ID q police
Judge equally independent of the
city legislature and of the executive de-
partments. This is not q return to mon
archy. That cry has not been heard IN
this country since IL was raised more than
a century ago against the federal Constitu-
ton. If IL be sound and sensible. 1t would
require the alteration of our federal and
State governments. That reform is q re-
form which goes backwards to the lays OF
our early colonial struggles.
THE OF OFFICERS.
If the foregoing views are sound. they
dispose of the proposition that the execu-
tive officers should be chosen by the city
legislature. That would practically leave
us where we are. The executive officers
would simply be tools and instruments of
the city legislature. They would be de-
pendent on it. There would be no separa-
ton of functions. If a bad man were Sc
lected. the city legislature could not
ma amanda ~aR r.
powers of impeachment. There would
be trading and traffic and caucus
nominations. The principle invoked by
General Coburn, logically carried out,
would require our State Legislature to Sc
lect our State officers. and would give to
Congress the power to make appointments
now vested in the President. 1t 10 not be-
Iieved that the people desire the change.
SO far as / know, no other public man than
General Coburn has ever publicly advo-
Gated it.
To be sure, the executive officers might
be elected by the people direct. So might
our postmaster, and United States mar
shals, and collectors of internal revenue.
should make all executive appointments.
except subordinate ones. througho ut the
Union. i suppose the chief one is thai the
administration of public affairs shall be
lative matters the people should
choose their own representatives
to make their laws. But the
carrying out of those laws is q matter of
business. and should he uniform. directed
by a single head, as are the affairs of any
railroad or business corporation. Where
legislation is required we need q multitude
of counselors. Where action is required
we reed D single. central executive head.
chosen by the people, responsible to the
people and acting for the people.
In this way the various executive officers
responsible directly to thor official superb
OF. the Mayor. removable by HIM at any
e eiEe' I enh sf19ec' will IL 1 be peSfjasd ao S Sy 'h ie
harmony with each other. Public improve
ments will advance with some sort of sys-
tenn. Sewers, gas and water pipe will pre-
cede the laying of. new street pave
business will 60 forward methodically, and
with the good of the whole city constantly
In view. The new charter would not do
everything. but If it works here as it does
in a few years, have a well-governed. clean,
well-paved, well-lighted and well-sewered
city. 1 have no war to make on those who
propose specific amendments to the details
of the charter. That Is q matter which
| rests with the Legislature, and the commit
tees in the House and Senate by whom this
bill will be considered. 1t is in good hands.
| Let ft have free dfscussron. bet the dttaiis
be carefully wrought ont. But ii the cry
| of General Coburn. That it is essentially
at wal with our system of popular govern
ment, that it 10 aristocratic,D etc., should
avail to defeat the measure, / for one be-
lievs that he will prove 10 be the worst
enemy to the progress and Improvement of
our city that we have ever had.
AUGUSTUS L. MASON.
| INDIANAPOLIS. Jan. 26.
sound Sense About Street-Car Franchise.
TO the Editor of the Indianapolis Journas
/ wish to place myself in q proper posi-
tion in relation to extending the charter of
the Citizens Street-railroad Company. 1
vas opposed to the extension of the charter
until / got a chance to investigate the mat
ter. 1 have been acting on a committee
trying to make arrangement for the i'm
provement of College avenue. We are
badly stuck in the mud. Upon close ex-
animation we find we can't accomplish
anything on account of the many defects
in the ordinance under which the company
is operating. II this company were to avail
itself of the advantages il has under the
present charter 1T would be ruinous to us,
but we find it does not. We have a grand
system which is nearly all voluntary
on the part of the company. The
present charter is bad for the people.
Let us get clear of it as quickly as possible.
pie would investigate the matter as we
have there would not be a single voice
| against extending the charter, and when it
is done we don't want to ImpOverish the
company OFT can't give us the best service
| by charging q big price for the franchise.
If there is anything to come from the CON-
pany let it come in the way of q reduction
of fares. lt is not our opinion that they
can afford anything now. Too large an ex-
penditure is required now for the improve
ment of the service. Let it be arranged
for the reduction to come after while when
the system Is complete and the profits will
Justify. II. b. MCCUNE.
| INDIANAPOLIS Jan. &c.