The Helena independent., 1894-12-01

but with great ones that these German
municipalities grapple. There was the
oholorn epidemic In Hamburg two years
ago. Investigation showed that u was
caused by the germ-lnfested waters Of
the Elbc river. The city authorities at
once set about curing the trouble and
by tho introduction OF scientific filters
the germs were kept out and the water
made pure and healthfui and the dread
cholera was driven out In one CAM
paisn.
Much has been printed in the maya
rlnes and newspapers OF late about the
great sewage farms OF Berlin IN
which the city has invested nearly $780,
600 600, Rui 30 ereat Is tho fcrtlllslug
value OF the sewage. and So profitable
and productive the lands for market
gardens that the city viii get very
largo return ON lts Investment
And all these things are done outside
the pale OF politics The German pco-
pie nrc divided into many parties and
contend stoutly for supremacy NJ elcc-
lions. but no politician dare attempt to
lay hands upon the management of the
affairs of any city 20 further his ends.
Why Is II that the American people
are so much behind their European
nclghbors whom they are SO far In ad-
vance OF them In many other respects7
Mr., Godkln narratcs that when he at.
tempted to explain e. a certain United
states senator the idea that the city
should be set apart from state and
federal politics and governed wholly
without reference 10 them. the great
statesman said In a tone slightly tinged
with contempt. "a Prussian notion,
isn't ~" And this was his sole com.
mont
Why ls the government OF American
cities difllculte Mr.. Godkln, It seems
to us. gives the correct answer; "The
educated and well-to-do," he says,
have for nearly forty years made a
pruotiee Of using the city elections in
New York as what are called 'straws'
or Indications OF how federal elections
nre likely to go. or as a preparation
for federal elections. The republicans,
for instance. have been accustomed for
long years to use candidates for the
together as the phrase Is, In readiness
for the presidential election. Taking
this view OF the city government. they
have. OF course. seen no objections TO
dealing with the dangerous class. touch
ing city officers and measures, as long
as these dealings kept the party In good
condition for the quadriennlal struggle
for the presidency"
VIII the time ever come when the
people OF the United States will see that
this question of municipal reform must
be taken up and settled IL we are going
to have a republic other than In name?
our cities are growing so rapidly as to
make their power, II mlsdirected,
menace to free institutions. The city
ot New York controls the state Of New
York; the city OF Philadelphia controls
Pennsylvania; the vote of Chicago
swings the state Of Illinois. Are these
cities TO continue In the hands Of poll
ticians Of one party or another. to be
welded as vast machines, or shall we
become aroused TO our danger and in
sist that these and other cities shall
cease TO be the spoil of politicians and
that their municipal affairs shall be
placed in the hands Of business men 10
be conducted on business principles2
The time is near at hand when we
must settle this matter, and there is
no city in the country where the at
tempt could not we'll be made TO dis
lodge the politicians and wrest city
affairs from politics.