The record-union., 1896-12-06
SACRAMENTO REcoRDUN1oN SUNDAY, DECEMBER g. 1896

badly managed work, the multiplied
ton of useless offices, the squandering
of valuable franchises. and the payment
of extravagant salaries. because all
these may be plausibly regarded as in
creasing the chances of employment for
the wage earners, and especially for
those who do not oppose them. The man
who has no pecuniary interests to pro-
tect is easily persuaded to look upon
his vote in local elections as nothing
more than a means for securing prom
ise of work, a transient favor, or the
gratitude of friend.
There would be little if any exaggera-
ton in saying that in this country
municipal government, with all it's con-
troll of immense revenues and wealth
producing franchises, is based upon the
votes of those who have no feeling of
personal or pecuniary interest in MAX
ing it either wise or honest
1t would be difficult to imagine condi-
tions more favorable for political ban
ditti, or more tempting to INSCRIPTIONS
contractors and mOnopOlists. The indif-
ference of the voter is the opportunity of
the rogue, and the reformer's cry of
''stop thief" can have but little effect
when the masses do nothing but laugh
or applaud the criminal.
Under our system of manhood suffrage
there can be no security for public as
sets or certainty of decent government,
until the majority of the voters are
given much larger and more direct
and tangible interest in the results.
The scope of our local governments
must be so enlarged that they will
affect the average voter as constantly
and in as many ways as possible, and
thus cause him to regard himself as an
active and deeply interested partner in
the proper conduct of public business.
The reasons for advocating such a pol
icy in order to influence the taxpayers
are sufficiently strong, but the argu
ments for resorting to 1t in dealing with
the non-taxpayers are as much stronger
as the latter are at once more numer-
Gus, more important and more difficult
to reach in any other way 1t follows
therefore that reformers should take
every opportunity to urge the extension
Of municipal functions to all such mat
ters as the supply of light, water, street
transportation, ETC., etc.
There are many economic and other
arguments in favor of this policy, and
some excellent examples Of its success
in Glasgow and other cities, but they
cannot be discussed within the limits
Of this article.
The principal objections that have
been made to the proposed policy are
that it is too much like socialism, and
that every addition to municipal busi-
ness will lead to an increase of cor
ruption, and strengthen the political
machines and the spoils system. In or
der to show the fallacy of these objec-
tions it may be suggested that If they
were sound great deal Of work that is
now being performed by local, State
and national Governments, including
that of the United States Postoffice and
the street cleaning department of New
York, should be abandoned and turned
over to private contractors or special
corporations as soon as possible II
may also be urged, as previously ar
gued, that under our form of majority
rule, the only way to secure the right
kind of Government is to give 1t so
much business that the non-taxpayers
and will be sufficiently interested to in
sist upon their cure. The progress of
civil service reform IN the United States
service is an illustration of the work
ing of this principle.
1t may be added in conclusion that
as there can be no bribe without a
briber, it Is obvious that there can be
no better way to check municipal cor
ruption than to get rid Of the con-
tractors and corporations to whom most
Of 1t is due.
A brief study Of the relations Of some
of the street railway companies with
city politics and city authorities would
be likely to remove any doubt that
might arise in this connection-Charles
Richardson, First Vice-P President Of the
National Municipal League
Alex. Holmes Photo Studio. 1908 10TH