The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-17
VOL. 9-NEW SERIES. NO. 267.

and ifremovable withoct written charges,
70 be passed upon and approved by some
! power other than the one who makes the
charges Both Of these classes should be
put under rules OF the civil service. such
as are now IN force In most Of the cities,
and which have been attended with most
encouraging results In point OF efficiency
and economy.
However perfect our charter laws may
Notwithstanding the checks. devices.
and safeguards we may intrOduce-it is
| impossible. with general suffrage as our
basis, TO construct a form Of government
that will secure good administration au-
tOmatically. Much will still depend upon
the people who sustain It and the condi-
tons about ~. The misrule and corrup-
ton, which have made our cities a by
wOrd and repfoach, is beyond question
the trade and occupation Of a minority
"A minority so small. in the estimate Of the
voting strength OF the people. that moth
ing short o. the cohesive power of plum
der can explain their hold on Office The
interest Of the vast majority is always
on the side of decency, order, efficiency,
and economy, and yet our weakness at
times largely in the knowledge Of our
strength. and gives place 20 bad and
Indifferent citizenship, which is quite
as difficult to cure The best citizens
tsays Mr.. Franklin McNeagh Of Chi
cago) are hopeless minority The good
citizens arc a hopeless minority. The
latter title has become a misnomer for
il is usually applied TO a man who I'm
practice is absolutely no citizen at all.
The obstacle TO his reform is his ignor-
ance, and his ignorance Of his ignorance.
He must be taught the fundamental
truths that no government in free
country can rise permanently above the
level Of the political enerey-not the po-
litical sentiment, but the political energy
Of the community. and that no man
should enjoy the privileges Of citizen
and claim the irresponsibilty of sub
iec,. Some one must govern, II the good
won't, then the bad certainly VIII.
INCREASE THE MAYORS POWER
In conclusion-whilst ! earnestly ap-
prove of and advocate commissions un-
der our present charter-it is clearly APP
parent that tho convictions and the prac-
lice of the moment are 10 limit the
POWERS Of the Councils to a purely legis-
lative function. and 10 increase the eX-
ecutiye powers OF tine mayor. TO many
this may seem. in the light OF a past
experience to shun Charybdis only 10 run
foul Of Scyla. and so, perhaps, Wouh
be though the experiment is IN line with,
cratic theory and practice. There mas
come upou the scene of action new
and notent 1orce-and II has come 10
stav-4O 600 Offices IN the national Govern
ment are under its sway-it continues 10
grow IN the light of its beneicent sua-
sion. and has lately brought the muhici-
pal governments OF Boston, BROOKLYN
Philadelphia, and even New YORK WIN
I'm the fold. 1t SIS a force which con-
trolls the power Of the mayor ana re-
strains both the motive and the chahce
TO resort 10 corrupt practices; ana ap-
Iointments. TO secure a reelection. ms
force is the rules of the civil service.
the application of which minimizes the
chance. as well as the temptation 10
play the role of demagogue. under the
cloak Of the friend Of the people.
No reform which appears TO our reason
and Judgment IS comparable TO this In its
purifying. elevating tendencies; IL brings
efficiency TO our public service: time 10
our public men 10 learn and do the duties
of their office. roots out patronage, that
fOulost spot unOn Democratic faithi
f.tir-rra the entire -r-c1iitieal neid. city
state. and nation. Of the poluting sway
of the iirne-scrvng. truculont politician,
and makes possible our claim ana need
Of the service Of the best, purcst and
most intelligent Of or citizens
If we build our ship OF municipal state
on the lines approved of wisdom. ana
experience and in the light of our pres
cut knowledge we shall weather the
storms Of civic corruption. lf we neg
lect these warnings and temporize. we
SOW 10 the wind. 10 reap the whirl wind. |