New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-21

stand upon the reasonable compromise Of $50
under which the religious question was mt
raised as debatable issue until Mr.. Riley and
his band OF zealots forced it upon the reluctant
ana demoralized Moderates. The Progressiyes
not only accuse their opponents of endeavoring
10 convert the Board Schools into strongholds
on Anglican dogmatic teachings but they also
Ieproach them for instigating a new policy Of
aiolng voluntary denominationaI schools di-
rectly by local taxation The canvass &c \
SPIRITED one. for which hundreds of pulrits pro-
aaue sahVassers and in which denunciation of
sdcercolalism is not spared. Mr. Riley has still
Iur'her emoittered II this week by declaring that
every child is an immoral creature a liar and a
ropDer' most frequently with violence and must
oe trained IN dogma and religious principles
aiu not regarded as a sort Of highly developed
chimpanZee.
;. A curious feature OF this school canvass is the
disappearance Of the tmeworn issue OF econ
omy winch has been the princlpal rampart of
the Moderates in repelling the assaults Of their
adNersarles. The need Of additional schools was
SO urgent when the Education act was passed
h no .ne growth OF population in the metropolis
mas been so rapid that it has been impracticabe
Tor the Moderates. as the party in power TO
carry out their pledge to reduce the school
r rates With a teaching staff Of nearly ten
S Sf IN the Board Schools and three
hundred thousand in other schools under
be ia KEEN 1h has been mPoss
SiZ,oOOUOU or to avoid Indebtedness of
Sf5.OoO.0OO for new buildings The expenses for
education IN London appear to be rreducible,
even IN the hands OF professional economist
Ike Mr.. Diggle. The Progressives make light
or expenditures for education, and II they
allowed TO have their way they will inevitably
increase them: but they propose. on the other
hand. TO tighten the burdens Of taxpayers by
radical changes in the incidence of rates. This
raises another issue Of the Progressive pro-
gramme. with which the School Board IS power
less to deal. Economy is not however. the issue
In this months municipal elections The relig-
lous question is OF supreme interest.
CONTRASTS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
Mr.. Chamberlain in accepting the freedom Of
the city of Glasgow and the honor of being en-
rolled a burgess was called upon 10 make two
1t with grim pleasantly as a severe ordeal for
one WHO was pre-eminently a politician; but
the facility with which he delivered two
thoughtful addresses municipal government
proved how easy was the task for one appren-
ticed. as he had been in the prime of life, to the
art OF progressive local government in Birming-
ham. Glasgow during recent years has taken
the lead In what is the browning glory Of British
municipal craftsmanship; but II was Birming-
ham that opened the way for the general appli-
cation OF the principles of local government
a business basis and it was Mr. Chamberlain
VINO was the pioneer of the movement No other
English leader could have commanded so re-
srectful hearing before the great. enlightened
Scottish municipality.
Mr.. Chamberlain's obligation 10 make nom
pohtlcal speeches did not stand in the way OF A
foreign excursion into the politics OF Greater
New-iork. where he found. according to Ameri-
can evidence. that the government OF a great
city had been handed over TO an institution
whose object was to get the greatest amount Of
spoil: This led him to contrast the results of
fnunlcipal government In Great Britain and
America, and 10 attribute the large measure of
success achieved here and the signal failure
that is notorious there 10 the different aspects
of Oai nfnftc
enlarged upon the English and Scotch system OF
having in the municipal service the best men 10
be found in their respective capacities. OF select
ing them for their merits without regard for
their political opinions, OF making them ire
movable except for some proved offence, and Of
paying the market price for their work, without
legged posts in reward for political usefulness,
TO neglect OF these practical methods Of con-
Quoting municipal service he attributed the fall
ure of American local institutions
The force of Mr.. Charnbcrans exposition of
the secret OF success and failure Of municipal
government in Great Britain and America Is not
TO be denied: but he has laid stress upon what
must be regarded effect rather than a
cause. The municipal service is always good IN
England and Scotland and too often bad in
America: but II IS the supervision Of IL by intel
ligent public-spirited men that makes II what It
is here and It Is the lack OF that supervision
that converts II into a scandal and reproach be-
yond the Atlanta There Is a sense Of public
duty which impels the titled nobility. men Of
wealth and leisure retired merchants and active
business men to devote their time and energy To
the interests Of local government in England.
Every County and Town Council is good gov
eminent club. whose members serve their fellow
citizens without financial reward and at great
personal sacrifice OF time and convenience. The
business interests OF local government are con-
Quoted under their constant supervision. They
are the trustees for the great body Of share
holders-the taxpayers and citizens. Because
they are faithful 10 their trusts the business OF
the community is transacted by competent pub
lie servants, and there is good local government
l. y. +.