New-York tribune., 1896-11-21
ANOTHER VICTORY FOR. Reform.

"
Tho conquest Of the spOils system proceeds
slowly. but it proceeds just the same A VIC
tory for reform municipal government has just
been won I'm Baltimore which Is OF local apph-
cotIon solely. but which will have great nfu-
cnce as an example and warming. IL adds one
more 10 the succession of trIumphs when nave
been won in various States and cities IN the ias'
few years when the attempts of sposmen 10
tamprr with government machinery nave p''n
submitted TO judicial review. That old favorlfe
trick Of the politician afraid OF Deliig re'ireu
the ccrrymandcr has in many places ceased 10
be available. Civil Service Reform Is hrhi!
established The NewlOrk Court or Appears
has recently overthrown some schemes 10 s'e"'
city patronage by legislation And now comes
the highest court OF Maryland to conhrm the
Mayor Of Baltimore In tn" powers which ne IN
sisted on exercising to the confusion of 'he
machine politicians of that city.
When Mayor Hooper took office on the over
throw Of the Baltimore Democratic Ring he was
pledged to give reform administration. b"t
no sooner did hc attempt to carry out TINS pledge
than the wrath of the Councilmen. representing
fine sposmen in the Republican party. became
aroused Some Of his nominations were reluc
family confirmed. and then some were rejected.
Finally the demand was made that captain
Noble II. Crcagcr should be made City Collector.
and il was asserted that Mr. Hooper had peen
nominated with an understanding that he would
appoint Creager. The Mayor emphatcally de-
MED this and refused 10 send in the nomination.
Then the Council passed an ordnance based on
a statute that the Mayor and Council might
"rrg,ate" the method Of making the appoint
mcnis vested in them by law. deprlvng the
Mayor OF all voice in appointments ana assnhi-
ing entire control itself. This the Mayor vetoeu
il was passed over his veto. and then the Coun-
ell elected Creagcr City Collector But the
Mayor refused to swear the new Collector mo
office. and, until the oath had been taken before
the Mayor Crcagcr could do nothing. SO he
brought suit to compel the Mayor TO administer
the oath and won his In the lower court.
but the Court of Appeals reverses the decision
and sustains the Mayor in every point
This decision is not taken on any narrow tech
meal ground which leaves the way open for
further intrigue. 1t covers the whole field ana
declares that the Mayor cannot be deprived OF
nominating power vested In him by the Legis-
laiure even II the Council voted unanimously
to that effect and the Mayor himself concurred
in the resolution 1t puts beyond all attack or
even surrender the. Mayors appointing power.
subject only 10 confirmation by the Council. II
leaves the sposmcn utterly helpless and under
the necessity OF acQuescing in Mayor lloopers
choice Of ofiiccholders. or Of permitting TO re-
main IN their places the Democratic rngsters
who have been holding over. 1t renders void
thirty ordinances transferring the power of ap-
ponmcnt from the Mayor TO the Council. and
those appointments which. except for these orhl-
nanccs. are vested in the Mayor alone are made
entirely independent of the Council
The Mayor takes his victory In proper spirit.
He says: II have never cared 10 have what
els known as the patronage OF the Mayors office.
but have always believed that good city gov
"ernmen' demanded that the executive should
'have the power of naming the officers OF the
municipality" He adhcrcs 10 his intention to
make appointments solely on the ground Of 1T
ness and Invites tho cooperation OF the Council
In reforming the departments and abolishing
useless Offices The spoilsmcn. for their part.
recognize that they are beaten. and generally
profess q willingness to abide by the result with
good grace They are surprised, they are dis
hcartcncd and they do not want 10 fight any
longer The leaders are advising them To make
the best of the defeat and work heartily with
the Mayor for the reform Of the municipality.
Thus step 10y step are spoilsmcn taught that
government does not exist 10 furnish them Jobs