The Newtown bee., 1895-02-15
UNIQUE CITY GOVERNMENT.

UNIQUE CITY GOVERNMENT. AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL THE CITY TREASURY IS NOT AT THE MERCY OF LOCAL POLITICIANS. The revelations made by the investiga- tions of the Lexow committee in regard to corruption in the municipal govern ment of New York city has called gener- al attention to the government of cities throughout the country. In some cities, through associations of private individu- als and through the press, some steps have been taken to correct the most glar- ing of the evils which oppress the resi- dents of the average city. It is but nat ural that at this time, owing to the aWak- ened public interest in this direction, that there should be considerable attention di- rected to the form of city government which prevails at the Nations capital. Perhaps the most striking result, and the one which perhaps would commend it. self most thoroughly to practical minds, is that such a very large percentage of the money contributed by taxpayers is expended directly for the benefit of the city.
 As is perhaps we'll known, the people of Washington have no voice directly in their local government. The city is To. cated in territory some 60 miles square, which was ceded to the United States by the State of Maryland, for the purpose of establishing there the seat of govern ment. Congress has exclusive iurisdic- tion over this territory and holds the re- lation of common council to the citizens of Washington. The form of govern ment is by three commissioners, two | from civil life, and one from the army, 1 who are appointed by the President by and with the advice of the Senate. The appointment of the minor officials of the District government is entrusted to the | Commissioners. In order to give some idea of how the large sum of $6,000,000 is expended l yearly for the running expenses of the city government at the nations capital, some of the principal items are given. The largest item in this expenditure is i the one to meet the interest on the debt, which now amounts to about SIS, ,000, ,000, ard the sinking fund charges, total annual expenditure of more than $l, 800, 900. In addition more than $660, 900 is spent on street Improvements over $942, 1000 for the public schools, while the police department costs more than half million. Some $4S0,00o represents the cost of charities and cor rections, while $396,000 is spent on sewers, and $236,000 for salaries and contingent expenses. The fire depart ment $l63, ,000; the courts, $9s, GOO. and the militia $20,000,
 1 There is in each House of Congress g committee which has charge of matters relating to the District of Columbia Citizens appear before these committees and urge the needs of the city. The economy of this form of government is undisputed, while the absence of the practical politician and his raids upor the public treasury, which is such 8 common feature in all city governments, is conceded to be great advantage. IL stantial citizens of the nations capital are perfectly willing to go without the exercise of the right of franchise. 1 It is admitted that this form of govern ment is theoretically imperfect, inas much as there is no provision made fol the exercise of the right of franchise or the part of the citizens. It is considered by those who have lived under this gov ernmept, which has existed since the year 1878, that this defect appears fence. A large number of the residents of Washington are no more disenfran chised than are a like number of resi- dents in other cities of the country. Il l is admitted that one of the causes of the venality and corruption in the govern ments of American cities is due to the voluntary withdrawal from active par ticipation in local affairs of many of the | best and most substantial citizens. In l Washington this class of citizens do not enjoy this right while, on the other hand, the control of municipal affairs is not I handed over to the ignorant and lower elements of the city's population. In lieu of the privilege of casting ballot, which seems to be valued more highly | in theory than in paetice, the citizens of | l,;, Isxa O aIa nomical local government. The money that they pay into the public treasury is expended almost to cent for public purposes. and for the common good. The men who are selected as civilian commissioners are engaged in profession al or commercial business, and at the close of the four years term of office they expect to return to the ranks of the citizens and to resume their occupations. They are therefore amenable to the will of the people, and are anxious to pro mote their personal popularity. T. intercourse with the officfe
 city government, the
 suffers no aiminr
 fuence bene
 rigbt
 Us {
 average
 ,tion of respee
 use he does not eAsi
 ea freeman at the poii'
 VI - .4t, fifIZpnS |
 class it is said that the ,ith sit,1 inc
 <. ington are satisfied stnaaah M,sa i y Him form of government a'. not Tn again certain element who hass a a - mes. and inc hope that popular sula .a,;,snl oe cldpr .orod with LHc Iho' !.