Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-02
MANAGING THE CITY.
Party Politics Should Not Enter Into
Municipal Government.
THEY HAVE NO PLACE THERE.
The Duties Deyelving on Young Men In all
Local Elections.
MUCH WILL DEPEND ON UNITED ACTION
THEY HAVE NO PLACE TIER
MUCH WILL DEPEND ON UNITED ACTION
rwn1rrrK FOR THE prspArcH.1

So astoundingly are our cities growing that
the date is near when an actual majority o.
our young voters will enter upon the re
sponsibilities of American citizenship in
populous municipalities. And If they
should find it somewhat difficult to discover
strong and clear differences of principle
and policy between. great national parties,
they can hardly fail to discover that vital
questions, almost innumerable, affect the
welfare of their own immediate community.
For 20 years to come our cities are destined
u be passing through period of reorganiza-
tion and public improvement such as the
more progressive cities of Europe. most Of
which are from 10 to 25 years in advance oi
ours, have been witnessing since 1870.
1 write this brief paper for the purpose Of
urging young voters to give their earnest at
tention to the wealth, of topics and issues
that lie at their very door. The city govern
ment touches the citizen at the most vital
points. II controls the education OF
children; it has much to do with the morals
of the community; it can do tenfold more
than all the doctors for the general health
through the perfection of its water supply,
|
and its inspections of food and of household
sanitary conditions.
1t may vastly promote the intelligence,
happiness and comfort of the people through
the maintenance of libraries, galleries,
parks, Fairgrounds, public baths and other
| modern municipal adjuncts. 1t expends
the bulk Of all the money that citizens pay
for taxes.
Bad City Government
We Americans succeed very well, upon
the whole, in managing our national, State
and county governments. But thus far we
are notoriously unsuccessful in managing
| our cities. And vet there is nothing mys-
terlous or impossible in good city govern
ment. Diligence, intelligence and deter
mination can overcome the worst evils that
now prevail. Young citizens will find no
other class OF topics half so interesting, and
In 30 other directions can they make them
selves so useful.
would recommend the formation every
where of young mems municipal clubs, a.
for the study OF municipal questions In gen.
eral, (2) for the study of local conditions
and the actual problems of the particular
locality. and go TOR practical work in mu-
nicipal reform. These clubs should be ab-
| solutely non-partisan. Party politics and
municipal government should never be
mixed up. Parties have their legitimate
place and work, and young citizens may
well enlist in one or another; but the gov
ernlng machinery of a city should never be
in the hands of a political party.
The Mistake of Politics.
One of our most serious mistakes in this
country has been the treatment of munich
palities as if they were political sub-diyi-
sions, and of their government as if it
should be modelled upon the form Of that of
State or nation. The analogy is mis-
chievous. The municipality is corpora
tion. existing for a variety of purposes
peculiar to the masslng of populations
together under urban conditions. The
proper fulfllment of these objects can have
no more relation to the distinctions between
Republicans and Democrats than can the
management of a savings bank or any other
business corporation.
These ideas being clearly and firmly Held,
young mems municipal club can be
formed from the ranks of all parties without
embarrassment. 1t will find plenty OF work
to do everywhere.
First-Separation of Elections.-It will be
the study of the club in those States or In
dividual cities where municipal elections
occur in the autumn, on or near the date of
the general election, to insist upon separa-
tion. Municipal issues cannot have proper
treatment in connection with political
election. City elections should occur in the
spring.. The additional cost is not a serious
objection to the separation.
Second-Residehce and Registration.-It
is OF the highest importance that the body
of municipal voters should be toIerably per-
nanent and always distinctly identified. A
very brief residence in given city should
not disqualify any American citizen from
voting at a general election.
The Australian System.
But obviously no man except an estab-
lished resident should be allowed to help
regulate the affairs of the municipal corpo-
ration. The distinction is generally ig-
nored; but it ought not to be. Residence of
year or more, and a careful registration
system should be required for municipal
elections.
Third-Australian System and Nomina-
tions-In the general elections the Aus
tralian system is chiefly important because
of its provision for absolutely secret voting.
But in municipal elections it is important
chiefly because it provides a plan for making
nominations that relieves good citizens from
the tyranny of party machines. In England
half dozen citizens of a ward may Join in in
dorsing fellow-citizen as a candidate for the
municipal council, and his name accordingly
goes on the official ballot paper. The Austral-
ian system. properly secured. will wonderfully
aid in delivering our municipal corporations
from the ward politicians and party caucus
manipulators.
Fourth-Enfranchiseme of women-The
municipal government is a social affair." attend
Ing to streets, health, education and 100 things
that concern everybody. In England all house,
holders, whether men or women. have long
possessed the municipal franchise.
Some Women Should Vote.
II seems to me that in this country the women
who nav taxes or who rent houses and are in