The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-03-14
The Way in Which City Affairs will
Be Run Under the New
Charter.
John T. Murphy Explains tho Oc-
casion for the Most Import
ant Charges.
Tho Idea OF Responsibility tho Funda'
mental One With Those Who
Framed the Instrument

~ Il lie HEM ClNf Su0A cVAN
T. Murphy, one of the men who framed ~
speaking of the matter yesterday, was
modelled after that of Nashville, where the
people appear to be we'll satisfied with Its
workings, 1t ia also like that OF the new
one adopted for Spokane Falls. One OF the
principal features is that providing for q
board OF public works. The benefit OF this
il mainly in having three men who Will de-
vote their whole time to the business OF the
city, and who will be paid to do 40. The
offices are not elective except by the city
council; and being under the control OF
that body, and holding their places sub
iect TO its pleasure and their own good
conduct. there is reason to presume that
the affairs of the city WILL Dc
carried on as purely mat
ter of business. The officer whose
place is subject to the control
of some head is apt to transact
his business in a little, if not a very differ
emit manner thar if elected by popular vote
and responsible only to the people. AS a
rule the people don't keep a very close
track. and unless the officers are extra good
men they are prone to do the business in a
loose and careless manner. This is a habit
officers get into when there is no check.
.sThe commission concluded that the pat
ronare of the city would not be nearly so
apt to be used for political purposes II there
was a minority member OF the board OF
public works. If there was anything OF the
kind the minority member would know 1t.
IF eli the members of the board were of one
way of thinking it might be otherwise. The
rrovision that no two of the board shall be
from the same ward or section was meant
To prevent my favoritism OF Localities.
Again the board is to employ all the City
help-police, fremen, workmen, etc. Inc
object all the way through was to have a
1ssnonsible head. That responsible head is
the city council. They appoint the mem
beers Of the board. who are ~sponsio TO
them. The city council is responsible to
the people, who will look to them to see
that the proper men are chosen for the
board of public works. II the moer OF
the board do not do their work properly tne
city council has the power to remove. ouch
heinc she case the board must be in posi-
ton toNhold those under them to account
ability. This gets at the responsibility at
once.
at must be necessary to have some one
to see that the city work is lone properly:
If there lisa piece of work to be done tnat
will cost oter $500 the board must submit
the matter the city council and get ana
and not more, than $500 it will not be
necessary to- go to the city council,
but the board must advertise
for bids. INDEX $50 the board can act
without advertising. 1t was not thought
necessary to hold every little piece OF work
till the city council meets, as an the pms
must be audited by that body, and hat Is a
good safeguard. The members OF the
Board are to attend the council meetings;
where their work will be passed on, and
thus save the time OF the council. Whlle
the powers of the board are pretty broad
in some parts of the charter, 1t VIII be
found that they are very much limited IN
Others"
"Why was it thought advisable to have
the board of public works elected by the
city council insteAd of allowing the mayor
to appoint and tho council to confirm
'For the reason that not being Apprentices
of the mayor, and being responsible d.
rectly to the city council. the mayor is left
in a much better position to hear com
plants of citizens as to the action Of the
board. He is also in a better position to
investigate the complaints and to present
the same to the city council with his COM
ments and recommendations than II the
appointments were tmade by him. Then
again the board are responsible to one head
and not to two"
Under the new char yer the seven members
of the city council elected last year will
remain in Office for Another year. Seven
retire. Their SUCCESSORS will be chosen at
large and not from wards. 1t has been
demonstrated in other places" said Mr..
Murphy, speaking on this point, that it is
more nearly possible to elect representative
citizens by this method than in the old
manner of choosing by wards. 1t is reason
able to suppose that political parties will
recognize the fact that it is more necessary
for them to put up as candidates good rep
resentative men than they have in the past
under the old system. If representative
men are put up by both parties. knowing
the contest will be greater when the candl-
dates are going before the public at large
it is certainly reasonable to think that rep.
resentative men will be elected no matter
who gets there. Where a city is divided
into wards and elect councilmen that way
the members look after their own wards
When the members are supposed to rep
resent the city at large and know they hav
to go before all the voters, their record viii
very likely be such as to show they hav,
the interest of tue city at heart and no
that of a ward alone"
Mr.. Murphy intertains no fears of seriou
opposition to the new charter, and believe
it will carry by a large majority. Its OBJ
ject," he says, lis to have the businessl
the city conducted in RS business like Wa
as that of Il private individual or corpora
ton would be-"
THE SCHOOL TRUSTEES.
Judge Howey Not to be a Candidate fc