The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-13

H5v , -DYSPEPTIC
powers formerly vested in the Board
OF Aldermen. and now vested in the
Mayor; are to be exercised through the
his supervision and control. These boards
and officers are authorized 10 make con-
and repair: to have entire charge of public
works. city buildings and property. Every
contract involving more than Sz.0o must
Council cannot tack any Objectionable
amendments or items TO an appropriation
BILL and thus coerce the Mayor by forcing
him to approve them, or 10 defeat the whole
bill The Mayor, ii will be SEEN In Boston,
has great power and corresponding re-
sponsibility. The Boston charter has tax
ing and borrowing limit, no tax being al
lowed beyond a certain limit or more than
- on each $1,000. The laborers are placed
Saws Saws Mr. e moorefiei Ii storey: In brief. so
far as the principles of business have been
applied TO the government OF Boston, IL
has been improved, and is to-day excep-
tionally Efficient
Mr. William c. Low gave a bird s-eye
view of Brooklyn municipality at the phil
adelphia conference from which the follow
ing is gathered: Brooklyn has a govern
ment which makes III comparatively easy
for the general public TO express its views,
and to do IL effectively, was done two
years ago. 1t calls for its important city
election but once in two years, and then
practically stakes the whole administra-
ton of city affairs upon one ofticer-the
Mayor. He appoints the heads OF DEPART
ments. The people make the platform,
nominate the Mayor and elect him. He il
held responsible for carrying out the will
of the majority and he alone. To elect
boards would give the opportunity OF SHIFT,
give occasion for conflict in departments
The Mayor call for RESERVATIONS when
there is want of loyalty or harmony, under
the Brooklyn plan. Civil service Is an inn
There is also a constitutional limit 10 NUM-
cpal indebtedness. 1t is claimed that the
new charter has brought the following.
among many other gains: First. independ-
ency of party lines In municipal issues.
This lies at the foundation TIC, =, OF b soSq r sety
Second, better business methods are Sc
cured in the transaction of public pus,-
terests on the part of the individual These
things are certainly worthy ends TO be Sc
''' Gu AMERICAN WEAKNESSES.
Hon. Frank MacVeagh says In substance
that Chicago is governed under a general
law and the Legislature cannot touch its
charter without affecting all the cities in
Illinois The Mayor has large powers anu
great respons biiities. He can appoint heads
of departments and remove them. He pre-
sides over the Council and has veto pow
er. The fire department is outside OF poll
tics and an effort has been made TO make
the police nonpartisan also. In certain de-
partments of the Chicago government there
is great deal OF politics. The aldermen are
VIGOROUSLY corrupt. The trouble In Chi
cago seems TO be more especially with the
|. voters The good citizen has been tie
bad citizen there, for the reason that ne
leaves the slums. the saloons, the vicious
and the evil influences TO dictate nominal
tons and to run the elections
Here is an example Of the weakness or
American municipal government IL Is made
n Of Ia ~
| not divorced, as a rule, from national is
| sues, and civil service is Unpopular. But
| there are some hopeful signs In America
| An effort is being made TO hold municipal
| elections separate from State and national
| elections for good and manifest reasons. The
| sober, honest and financially responsible
| voters are becoming interested in municipal
| affairs more and more. and are learning
that they must take an active interest in
| these things. The evil disposed nave had
a monopoly OF civic affairs simply because
| of the criminal Indifference and cowardice
| tians' wealthy and respectable people. There
| has not been a scientific consideration or
| this subject until very recently Our best
| publications are giving large space to in
| teligent discussion of topics related 10 this
| theme of municipal government OF late The
| marvellous work OF Dr. Parkhurst in New
| York is giving new impulse 20 this study
| and to practical reform. National confer
ences for good city government are being
| held frequently now, and are causing the
| public 10 realize that something must be
done. There is need OF much education
| along this line. part OF the press has
done and is doing woman service; re
| trouble is, that our newspapers are too
| often "s'meservers." and fear the politicians
| and the bosses. When Parkhurst has won
| the day and the tide is turned they become
| loud in their advocacy of reform. The
| Brooklyn Eagle is shining example OF this
| II denounced DR.: Parkhurst at the outset
| OF his warfare. But when success crowned
| his efforts. IL ''out-Herod's Herod'' In full
some adulation. The pulpit, either from
| the duties of good citizenship and prac-
| .ical application OF gospel, has been lament
ably derelict. High ideals ought TO be held
| ciples are involved. Patriotism is an ele-
ment in good citizenship.
| And now, what is the conclusion OF the
| First-The better classes must take more
| interest in municipal affairs and seek 10
and sound reasoning in their municipal gov
second-we ought to seek to keep munIc-
| ipal affairs separated, so far as possible.
| from State and national politics.
Third-Civil-service principles should nh
tain This principle is vital TO good munid-
Observation-Disclosures shouls seek 10 solve
| their own questions without reference 10 the
ference by legislatures should be encour-
| aged.
| Fifth-The municipal authorities ought to
follow the policy OF cooperation with refer
| ence TO the public enterprises. such as street
railways, lighting, heating, water supply.
etc.
Sixth-Elections should not be held too
| frequently.
| Too much attention cannot he given IN
the government OF our great cities. They
| are the nerve centers" OF our tody polite
The future character of cur Nation viii
| depend largely upon these great centers of
| population and influence. The best brain
| and heart of our patriots would 10 well "a
help solve these difficult problems.
| r. v. HUNTER.
Terre Haute Ind Ian IL