Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-22


U discretion and regardless of his
PERSONAL opinions. Second: 1t is In
strihlng contrast to the governments
OK the principal cities Of Europe. and
especially Of Great Britain. which are
daily referred to for the great progress
they nave made in meeting modern re-
guifements, n for the wisdom. eff
eiency, and economy Of their govern
ments. In all those cities the NUM-
cipal car is unknown and the govern
ment is almost wholly with councils
said to be able. faithful, and conscien-
tlous men. In some of the principaI
| American cities this idea Of eentraljza-
ton has been tried with varying re-
suits. In New York and BROOKLYN.
with exceptionally good men as may
ors, fairly good government was had.
but with weak and unworthy mayors
the government through and through
was bad beyond description. IL will
! also be noticed that with a bad mayor
and poor government there is no rem
edy until the term of Office expires. and
this there is "A constant tendency to
lengthen.
If the mayor is to govern as he
pleases there should be some method
for his remove from office when of
known incapacity. To threaten him
with defeat at the next election is not
sufficient, nor is there reason in bear
ing with 50 great a wrong as a bad
mayor with absolute power during the
long term for which he is elected.
1T is impossible always to elect good
mayors for the reason that all good
men do not make good Many
good men are eminently successful in
their respective callings, but would
fail utterly as chief executives of large
cities.
BY e~lecting able and worthy men to
the city councils, they will gradually
acquire the dignity given like bodies in
other countries. The duties and re-
aponsibilities of councilmen should be
commensurate with the standard Of
business and executive talent hitch we
would have them possess. 1t cannot
he expected that men of the desired
ability will be willing to sit like logger
heads in council without power or in
fiu"nce. while a mayor, autOcratic and
independent, is wagging along the i'm
mense burden Of the city's interests.
many Of which must be sacrificed.
The whole business of "A city should
be in the hands of the mayor, council.
and other administrative officers. All
moneys of the municipality should be
in the hands of the treasurer. And all
claims for whatever purpose. should
be examined by the city's auditor.
There should be no commissions for
any purpose. The whole history of
municipal commissions wherever they
have existed, if not of absolute dishon-
esty, has been of such reckless extray-
agance as to amount to the same thing.
bid the creation of municipal commits
sions, and to those who have noted
their workings it must seem a wise
provision.
The education of the people to know
and to do their duty as citizens is a
big undertaking. Workers may differ
in their methods. but they should work
in sympathy with each other and with
officials. We believe the application of
strict business principles viii be more
than moral preaching. 1t is
easier to appeal to men through their
purse than by way of their conscience.
The moral welfare of the community
is of great Importance, but it is at
tanned quicker as the result of good
principles han when made a
direct object.