Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-05
THE CITIZENS MEETING.

The value of public discussion upon mu-
nicipal matters was we'll illustrated at the
meeting called by the Mayor yesterday
afternoon. The entire debate was interest
ing, a great deal of it very warm, and some
Of it so personal in character that it might
have been omitted. But ths value of the
meeting in the public debate of leading mu-
nicipal topics and the free expression Of va
rIous views was very great, and sets prece-
dent which, it is to be hoped, may be fire.
quently followed in the future. The useful
ness of such discussion is apparent from the
fact that while the questioa of indorsing
curative legislation evoked a wide variety
Of discussion, after the effect of the measure
had been made clear there was really very
small dissent to that action.
This Endorsement represents about all that
was positively accomplished by the meeting
with regard to the pending legislation. As
THE DISPATCH said ia advance, there was
no doubt as to the vast preponderance Of
public opinion in favor of the proposition
that those benefited by the improvements
already made should, if possible, be made to
pay for them. The question whether the
curative legislation will hold water still
remains a doubtful one only to be de-
cided by prompt test cases if the law is
passed. The question of assessments where
property owners were not benefited formed a
leading part of the discussion; but when 1t
was pointed out that the pending measure
provided for full trial of such cases in the
courts, that objection was practically over
come. On the practical issue whether the
attempt should be made the Endorsement
was decisive one.
The other point on which the meeting took
final action was an unexpected and inter-
esting enlargement Of the scope of the meet
ing. Mr.. Bruce's speech arraigning past
methods in municipal politics, and espe-
cially attacking the provision in the charter
vesting the appointment of heads of
departments in Councils, WAS per-
haps the leading feature OF the
meeting, and secured the passage of his res
olution calling for an amendment to make
those positions elective. There is not much
likelihood that this amendment will attain
legislative enactment, and if there were the
proposition would be susceptible of much
more discussion. The experience of the city
has proved that whether officers are elected
by the people. appointed by the Mayor, or
appointed by Councils, the good or bad
influences which prevail over their selection
will be rooted at the polls, and it is there
that any lasting reform must do its work.
There was a large amount of work left
undone by the meeting. The question OF is
suing certificates OF Indebtedness was re-
ferred to a committee, and is to be acted
upon at an adjourned meeting tomorrow.
The bill for future street Improvements was
not reached, although there is little proba-
bility of dispute over it. But singularly
enough nothing at all was heard of the bills
relating to the wharves, or that legalizing
payments for park property. Are these bills
abandoned, or has it been concluded that
they are not matters on which public discus
sion is deserved?