The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-11-29
Here We Have 1t, Straight.

lie Figaro. in some respects the most
important Paris newspaper, published in
it's issue OF the 9Th inst leading edi-
torial signed by G. Labadie-Lagrave
(nearly all editorials in the French jour
nails are signed) on the ssassination of
Mayor Harrison, which expresses pretty
well the general French view of that
event. Following is a translation of the
article:
1.-The mayor of Chicago has proved a
victim of his omnipotence. A man who
exercises almost unlimited dictatorship in
a city of 100000 inhabitants and dispOses
at his pleasure of 1900 public posts, is
dangerously exposed to the vengeance Of
place-seekers. disappointed in their am
bitions
THE principle of the separation of
powers, which is the first and last word
of our governmental system. is almost un-
known on the other side of the Atlantic.
In the municipal organization Of most of
the large cities of the United States, the
rapid growth of which has astounded
Europe the American democracy has seen
fit to delegate to a single man very ex-
tended powers for a very short period.
1.-The mayor of Chicago is elected for
two years by universal suffrage. If we
would obtain some idea of his omnipo-
tence we must suppose the functions of the
project of the Seine and of the project of
police combined in the same person. We
note. however, one distinction: the powers
of the mayor Of Chicago are in fact free
from any serious check. He is not obliged
to account to the minister of the interior,
neither to the governor of Illinois, who
exercises over him an authority merely
nominal: on the other hand, he does not %
have to solicit the support of a municipal
council composed of siXty-four politicians
of minor Importance elected for two years
and paid by the day.
This body does not possess any real
control except in the matter Of finances
and it is divided into committees, whose
functions are surrounded by such narrow
restrictions as to paralyze any attempt
on their part to encroach on the jurisdic-
ton of the mayor. Only the administra-
ton of the parks enjoys an absolute au-
tonomy and is directed by a personnel
organized under a special system, and not
depending I'm any way upon the munic-
ipal authorities. 1t is, perhaps, for this
reason that the park commissioners, whose
employees are not appointed and removed
alternately at short intervals, following
the shiftings of politics. have been able
to give Chicago those marvels of verdure
known as Lincoln park and Washington
park.
with the exception of this department.
which is independent of the municipal au-
thority, the mayor absolutely controls the
affairs of the city. He disposes at his
good pleasure of 5000 positions of every
class. In reality he is nothing else than a
temporary dictator charged with the dis
tribution of places. AS rule he puts only
too much zeal into the performance OF
this task.
''Mr. Carter Harrison, who has fallen
from the bullet of an assassin, was one Of
the politicians who during their career
redeemed by their administrative talents
the disfavor attached to their profession.
Chosen mayor Of Chicago for the first
time in 1879 he had literally applied the
American maxim which ordains the dis
tribution among the victors Of the spells
of the vanquished. But after having paid
this tribute to the customs of his country.