The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1893-03-17
THE WEEKL TRIBUNE.
FRIDAY. MARCH II. 1893.
MUNICIPAL

Great Falls is not alone this year in
~favoring a citizens movement in local
affairs. Boston has a similar plan on
foot which is thus referred to by the
New York World:
Mr.. Samuel Il. Capen, a prominent
business man of much ability and influ-
ence, is the prime mover in the matter.
His scheme is for a combination of the
executive committees of various clubs
and philanthropic organizations for com
mon work in securing good government.
The fundamental principle upon which
the organization is to be Conducted is
that the government of the city is a mat
ter of business solely. having no neces-
sary or desirable relation to the question
of politics which constitute the issues
between parties. 1t is, therefore, non
partisan in its membership and its aims.
The pew organization proposes to work
on two lines. One of them is education
al, the instruction Of the citizens by
various means in the knowledge of mu-
nicipal affairs and the desirableness Of
having them conducted on business prin-
ciples with reference to the welfare of
all the people instead OF with references
10 the prosperity of a party or ring The
other line of work is in the direction of
securing competent and honest officials
without regard to their party relations.
1t will tr, to induce citizens of character
and substance to take more interest in
the conduct of those agencies by which
candidates for offices are selected.
The association. called the Pilgrim
club. has some definite objects in view to
be labored for. Among them are these:
4 -ipr', ylu,n ,..,,', Aa,.~ g. H. ..--
a board of aldermen of twenty -four
members. elected on a general ticket,
one-third TO be elected each year for a
three years term; the abolition of the
common council: a system of cumula-
tive voting, the substitution Of commits
sions of one for commissions of three.
One of the subjects upon which discus
sion Is to be had is the responsibility of
men living in the suburbs but doing
business in Boston for the government
of the city il which they make their
none
In lie fundamental principle this Pill
grim club OF Boston is like the new City
club in New York and the food Gov
eminent clubs that are organizing in
vauou parts of the city. The motive is
worthy. The ends are desirable. The
reeds are great. What we require in
ltlee IS government in the interest of
lie people, instead of government in the
interest of the office holders. All forms
Of municipal government tend to degen
crate into the latter kind when not re-
by active vigilance and constant
labor on the part of citizens organized
to prevent it. There is no remedy for
wastefulness. inetiiciency and corruption
when the citizens who pay the taxes are
and the citizens who desire
honest rule are lazy and afraid. {
These are the ideas which THE TRIB
cSE has been advocating. and they are
such as every intelligent citizen can I'M
derstand and appreciate. 1t makes no
difference whether one party or another
has a nominal plurality of votes. The
demand made is for absolute non par
tisan city government and the complete
overthrow of all partisan organizations ,
where city affairs are concerned. The
of the Leader is all that is needed
20 prove that it is a case of all the de-
,ent people of the city against a gang of
ringsters who are willing to |
place their party with its heelers and I
S~ire-pullers ahead of the public inter !
'sts and above all considerations Of :
progress and reform. They may flourish (
or a time, bat the public will one day Z
how them that in has had enough Of 4;
heir chicanery. !