The record-union., 1896-05-28
DESTROYING RESPONSIBILITY.

We have before us now in this city
exemplification of the truth that when
ever and wherever in city government
there is mingling Of the executive and
legislative authority and power there is
injury to the people. There is nothing
better settled in the thought Of the fore
most students of municipal systems in
our country than this, that the executive
should be independent in his capacity,
and the legislative equally Independent
in its. Only such check as the veto is
excepted. and by many it is held that
even this could be wisely eliminated.
The Mayor should be Independent in
appointing those who are to execute the
laws, and over whom he has executive
supervisory powers, and for whose
duty-doing he is supposed to be respon-
order Of things and given to the legisla-
tive body veto power that has grown
into a monstrous abuse. It needs no
elaboration of reasoning to establish
the unwisdom Of dividing power be-
tween the executive and legislative
arms of the municipal government. The
division of responsibility operates prac-
tically to destroy responsibility. The
Mayor says to the people, Il wash my
hands Of responsibility for i'll or nom
execution Of the laws and administra-
of o3f o(f foir Ia
prived OF the staff of lieutenants whom
I deem fittest to aid me. The Trustees
will not permit me to select the men I
should have. When, however, they do
consent to an appointment the ap-
pointee snaps his fingers in my face,
saying to me If attempt to direct him,
I owe my confirmation to the Trustees
and I am responsible to them as well
as to you, but primarily to them.'"
On the other hand the Trustees say,
I'VE are not responsible for the non
enforcement or the administration
Of the laws and Of the city regulations,
since the Mayor would not nominate
to us men we felt we ought to confirm.
When he does name one whom we at
last approve the appointee snaps his
fingers in our faces, saying practically,
I owe no allegiance to you, or at least
owe duty to the Mayor primarily, who
named me, while you only reluctantly
confirmed his appointment
And so goes on the game of shuttle
cock, and between the battledores the
peoples interests take harm. The
Mayor should have power to nominate
and confirm without Intervention Of the
legislative body. and be thus responsible
directly to the people who elect him.
For all legislation the Trustees should
be held directly responsible by the peo-
pie, since in the board all legislation
must originate, for the executive can no
more than suggest to the board or in
terpose objection which the legislative
body may ignore and put to one side.
New York now proposes to secure
the services of President Gilman of
pervisory charge Of the free school sys-
tenn of the metropolis Of the nation.
He will not supersede the official Super
intendent, but will be over all as mas
ter or head Of pedagogy and kindred
subjects. II the arrangement is effect
ed 1t will place New York at the head
In the new movement to perfect the
common school system and remove the
reproaches against 1t, which are in
part lack of interest on the part Of the
teachers to make their following a life
profession; inadequacy Of sanitary ar
rangements in the schoolhouses; mad
equacy Of compensation Of teachers;
quarantine, so to speak, Of the incompe-
tents and incorrigibles in the schools,
who retard the classes under the graded
system; inadequacy of the system to