The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-12-29
The New City Charter.
TO the Editor of the Press:

10 the Editor Of the Press:
1t seems to me that in preparing the
proposed amendments to the CITY charter,
more attention has been given to theories
than to actual conditions. 1t Is pleasant
theory that some laws can be devised that
will compel city business to be done up
on the same lines as private business.
This wont happen however, until the
coming of the millennium, and 1t won't
because the public doesn't want 1t go.
excepting in matters in which they have
no personal interest. Willingness to
"sacrifice wife's relations" Ia true in
matters other than war.
matter is proposed for action before
the city government; member feels
ure that the city interests are not pro-
tected, opposes it and succeeds in chang
ing iu and saving money for the city. Is
this remem bered at the next electionf
Yes, by the people interested in the mat
ter opposed, and by no one else, and they
will pay him for 1t Ii they can, not only
because they lowe" him something but
as u warning to other members, present
and future. Truly "virtue is it own re-
ward
We have only to go back to last fall for
excellent proof that city business cannot
be done like the business of private
corporation, refer to the lighting con-
tract. There probably is not contract
made by the city that is SO publicly
criticised, Justly or unjustly. as the light
ing contract, sincs there Is quite gener-
al fealing that the city is not getting rs
much light as is paid for and is paying
from $40, 600 to $4,000 more than it
ought to pay. The city government, re-
spending to public criticism Of the quail
| " and price of the light, IN renewing the
contract attempted to modify III and
make saving for the city, H. Q. the tax
mayors. What happened need not be re-
reated, its history, but the help and en-
couragement which the members Of the
city government got in the effort, was
not great, while the Influence" which
| was exerted ON the other side was, to say
the least considerable. What is needed
is Publicity and Continuity In the trans
action of the city's business, more than
Theoretical Responsibility; add to these
an increased interest in the city business
ON the part of the citizens and you will
get good government. Eternal vigilance
is the price of good government as well
as liberty.
AS it is impossible to transact public
business upon the same lines as private,
it is necessary that there be certain
checks and balances. 1t is easier to con-
troll the few than the many. The single
board is q fad.
1 believe that If ths city should be
divided into new wards elsctng alder
men and councilmen as at present, ex-
cepting that their terms be fer three
years, then after the first year, three
zach ward one councilman, and two
thirds of the city government would 90
experienced men, thus giving continuity
Of plan and action In carrying on the
city's business, better results would be
accomplished than by the abolition of the
lower board. A mem Der would thus stay
in Office three years instead Of two as in
the committees plan. The two boards
should meet on different evenings the
public would then know what one board
had DONE or proposed doing, befora it
came up for final action in tho other
board. This would be check upon
hasty, ill.considered and possibly. wrong
uction. The two boards should have
equal power upon all matters.
A mayor is just as responsible for his
appointments, whether they are subject
to confirmation Or not. and can and will
be so held by the public.
Why should the com missioner OF pubic
works, fire commissioner, commissioner
OF cemeteries and public grounds, and
city marshal, heads of departments
spending nearly a quarter OF mlliion
annually, be appointed by mayor with
out confirmation, while members of the
board of health, police commission and
similar officers, must be confirmed
Gould not mayor, with absolute power
TO appoint commissioner or public
works, controlling the city laborers,
fire commissioner controlling the ire
men, commissioner of cemeteries ana
public grounds, controlling his men, and
q city marshal with his power, make
himself such political boss as to absn-
lutely control ell matters relating to city
elections and affairs? Would there not he
danger OF exactly this thing happening?
Then is it wise to allow any one man
the sole control over the large eSpend1-
ture that these departments make eacn
year, without any checks or control!
here are lions in the way of any man
that attempts to manage one Oh these de-
partments honestly Is it not DesG 10 pro-
tect him 40 rs to minimize az 1ar az pos
sible the temptations that Will De MADE
to him by outsiders? The police depart
nent has been for q mum oer oi years