The morning call., 1893-05-10
A MODEL. CITY.

The New York Legislature passed bill
Of novel character in municipal history.
II might lave been drafted by a capitalist
OF Beilamy's persuasion, Sut it seems TO be
nothing moIe than an original business
venture with an eye to profit. Under its
provisions the Model Town Company is
incorporated with a capital stock of S10,-
100000 in shares of 500. The company
proposes TO lay out a town precisely in its
own way as to streets, houses, water, gas
and electric supply, public buildings,
schools, railroads, telegraphs, factories
and all other etceteras of nun cipal growth
and enterprise. Model City will be gov
erned on joint stock principles OF profit
sharing and the rights Of property rather
than the rights OF man. 1t is not clear
what the status Of resident will be-
Stockholders are to exercise the franchise
as privilege for themselves and trust
or others on the same footing that the
shareholders of a gas company divide divi-
dends. appoint officers, discharge employees
and award contracts. But unless permis-
sion TO dwell in the city is only conceded
to stockholders 1t is impossible to sac how
a resident can be prevented from exer-
cising the right of individual opinion on
inalienable right to vote for Governor and
Pres dental electors resident can
surely maintain his claim to vote tor
Supervisors or Town Trustees and School
Directors. Judges and other officers A
board Of directors may essay to govern
the city as it would govern a factory. but
the citizen who is taxed ana has no voice
in the fixing of water rates and street
erla m - rft u, ,s,,1,
any kind has only to carry his grievance
into the courts on grounds of unconstitu-
tionality, and learn what the law would
say to the joint stock autocracy.
a city conducted on the principles of a
hotel or club is possible existence in the
nOvelist's Imagination but a vain thing
when applied TO human beings in actual
life. Ordinary human nature is not de-
signed for absolute model regulation. 1t
rebels against too much restraint. how
ever benevolent. and delights in the oc-
casional qualification Of eccentric way
wardness. What world it would be with
uniformity on the advanced notions of
philHnthropic stockholders, enforcing
prOpriety, decorum and strait-laced pru-
dence. hours of work and hours of recre-
alton and rep0se for the sake of profit. 1t
ls d tHIdRS OI human nature Win ScteD-
tific machinery and concentrated fertilizers.
The bureau OF immigration in such city
might soOr have the influx balanced by
the exodus. Pullman City in the West
and Saltairs in England are not experi.
ments which stunt municipality and
drive the citizens into one groove. Fxeept
that the land is owned and the houses.
leased by firms OF proprietors requiring
labor for their factories, these munieip-
alities have as much freedom for self
action as other cities. The citizens have
corporate life and room for the healthy
battle of opinions. Sundry evils that
flourish where license overrules law are
banished with the consent OF all good ci,i-
lens, but that is about the limit of patri-
archal interference. How the citizens of
joint stock town ara 10 be herded TO suit
the notions of body of proprietors is not
evident, but they will be queer flock il
they do not'jump the fences when tired of
the conditions. Model City is an expert
ment, however, which The rest of the
world will watch with interest, even il II
does end in failure. as so many projects
elevated Dnt foolish have done.