The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-02
Improv ed City Government.

Improved City Government.
cient municipal government is likely
soon to be transferred from New York
If present plans prevail. The Civic
Federation OF Chicago has prepared five
public administration, which they will
push resolutely. II passed and en-
forced, these bills will revolutionize the
present corrupt political condition of
Cook county and do much for the cause
of good government everywhere. One
If these bills we analyzed on Tuesday.
1t is known as the corrupt practices bill.
Another, which we shall herewith sum
Marie, is known as the city charter
BILL and tine other three, which affect
the collecting OF city revenues, arbitra
tiyn and primary elections, We shall
discuss at some future time.
The main objects aimed at in the pro-
posed city charter bill are of general in
terest. The bill covers these four
points: Fnst a single council, inde-
pendent of the mayor. and the election
of aldermen SALARY $500 a year each)
on the inInciity representation plan.
Second, the mayors term of office Csal-
ary, $4,000 is heightened to four years,
ard he is made ineligible as his own
successor. lie has i seat in the coun-
cll with the right to debate. but 10
vote. He appoints the heads of depart
mcnts without the consent of the cour
ell In case of vacancy in the ofIlca
of mayor the council does not fill it, but
the office devolves on the heads Of the
executive departments in 4 designated
order of SUCCESSION until the next murl-
clpal election. Third. the admlnistra-
ton is vested in five great executive
departments,w whose heads are appointed
and are removable by the mayor
These are: Department of accounts
and collections under the city comptrol-
ler department of finance under the
city treasurer. department of public
| bile works. department of law under
the corporation counsel, department. Of
public safety under the commissioner
of public safety. This department in
cludes the police, fire and health de-
partments, and also sanitary and safe
ty inspection. And fourth, in all cases
where special privileges, commonly
called franchises, are granted, IL com
| petition Is impossible, advertisement
| must be made for proposals; the pro-
posed ordinance must be adoH.ed by the
| board Of control, composed of the heads
Of department, and contain the terms
and conditions on which such grant can
| be made; and after passage by the city
council the mayor still retains an alb
| solute veto of the ordinance. All ma
| terlals and structures in. over. upon or
under the streets must belong to the
city upon being put In place. and the
grantee obtains the privilege OF use
during the limited period for which the
| license is given and which Is thirty
years in case Of elevated railroads.
twenty years for surface street car
| lines. and ten years for heat or power
plants. electric lights, private switch
tracks, etc. for which rental as the or
dinance provides and on which the cost
OF construction Is to be credited.
This charter marks n great advance
in the popular conception of the right
full functions Of municipal govern
ment in American cities. But why
should it not prove practicable?
The Philadelphia Record thinks that
president Cleveland could hardly have
made n more popular selection for the
vacant place In his cabinet than the
choice of Hon. William l.. wilson
Professor Wilaon's popularity was
shown. we believe, at last falls cleo
| tlons