The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-03-31
Keep an Eve on Councils.


In the interesting letter with which
President Chittenden Of select council
recently favored Il morning contempo-
rary 1t was virtually charged to the dis
credit Of tine local press that through
its lukswarmness or indifference. some
months ago, the city Of Scranton was
robbed of 800, 900 in valuable public
franchises. Without assuming either
TO assent to or to contradict this charge,
which belongs to an episode now be-
yond recsll--an episode, too, in which,
If the press was dereliet. the city coun'
ellis, whose immediate duty aud bust
ness was, then. as it is now. to protect
the public welfare, whether aided or
ignored by the newspapsrs-THE TRIB
UNE, in view of next weeks council
manic reorganization, desires to yoIun-
teer suggestion.
1t desires to suggest that those citi %
zens who feel dissatisfied with the 70.
cent work Of councils, and who, like
Mr. Chittendeu, appear to place tine
burden OF their blame rather upon the
newspapers than upon the councilmen
individually responsible, hereafter take
the pains TO keep more closely in touch
with the progress of local legislation.
From the very nature of things, 1t Is
vain to expect the local press to DO
everything in this direction, While
it may not heretofore have done as
much as it could or should have done,
it has been, is, and will be powerle5s to
do anything unless Loyalty supported
by an intelligent public sentiment that
is not only willing 10 make searching
individual Iuquiry into the details OF
municipal legislation. but also willing
to reward faithful and punish unfaith
ful servants at the polls. Nor can we.
in this connection, wholly acquit thoss
members of councils who, when aware
of legislative abuses and conversant
with inner details of alleged jobbery
and corruption. do not take the trouble
to share their knowledge with the pub.
lie until too late to bs of practical
avail.
But, letting this phase Of the matter
pass, what of the future? Beginning
next Monday evening new body Of
legislators will havs charge Of our
municipal destiny. We cannot now
undo the mistakes that belong to his
tory. We can, though. have share in
the making Of future history and this
s a good time for all classes and con.
iitions OF citizens to decide upon a
more careful scrutiny Of the doings OF
their official servants. There should at
all sessions of common aud select
council be a liberal representation of
taxpayers It is not enough to elect
men to do certain work and then
neglect them which they are doing
it, Such a policy leads inevitably to
slipshod and faulty workmanship. if
not to greater evils. II will be THE
TRIBUNEs endeavor hereafter to give
redoublsd attention to the proceedings
of our municipal government; but it
can offer no claims to omnlsciencs and
it can bs OF service to the public only
in so far that it can be accurate and
impartial in its reports aad comments.
1t cannot play the detective. 1t cannot
assume the functions Of a spy.
Will Mr.. Chittenden and other honor.
able and fair minded members of coun.
ellis agree to help it to correct lnforma-
tionf viii they extend to the public
through the press, in tims to be Of use
to the public. such exclusive knowledge
of jobbery and wrong as may come TO
them by virtue of their official trust?