The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-30
MuxrcIPAL DEvELoPMENT.

Mr.. Josiah quincy. Mayor of Boston
has recently published an article on 'Ihe
DEVELOPMENT Of American Cities. whlch
contains many valuable suggestions.
In the first place, Mr.. quincy mentions
the curious anomaly that in some
countries Of europe. where the admins
tration Of city affairs is controlled only
to a very limited extent. or not at all
by the great mass Of the citizens, NUM-
cipal governments are conducted upon
broader and more popular lines than IN
the United States, wheie universal suf-
rage prevails
In a certain sense" ne goes on Der
lin and Paris are actually more Demo-
cratic than New York and Chicago. The
PEOPLE Of the former cities have indeed,
nothing like the direct control over their
city governments which those OF the lat
ter enjoy. in theory at least; but if we
form our Judgment not by the scope OF
the elective franchise, but by that OF
services rendered. We shah have TO award
the palm for variety and usefulness OF
municipal activity. for benefits conferred
upon the masses of the people, TO the
foreign cities An intelligent observer,
with no other knowledge than that deriv-
ed from a comparison Of work done and
results secured, would doubtless conclude
that the people ruled more fully in Paris
than in New York. I'm Berlin than in Chi
If dire tlnnl
the interests Of the average citizen are
better and more fully cared for. his wants
more fully met. in the great city Of Eu-
rope than in that of America Municipal
government in the old world seems to be
for the people II not by the people
sir. Quincy would not have the Amcri-
can people surrender one jot OF their
liberty OF thought or action. nor slavishly
TO copy the methods Of other communi-
ties. But he thinks that we may learn
from the Older cities of the world and
prohtably adopt some Of their ways. Tie
emphasizes the necessity of educating
public opinion up TO the point of demand
ing that whatever play may he given to
political forces. only men OF the requisite
qualifications shall be entrusted with high
municipal Office. We believe that pub
lie sentiment I'm that direction is grow
ing. For example the charter Of
Greater New York provides that only
the Mayor. the Comptroller. and
the Municipal Assembly shall be
elected by the people al other officers
and heads of departments TO be appoint
ed. The departments Themselves are 10 be
controlled by commissions 80 that police
men. nremen. and those IN charge of
public works shall be removed as far as
possible from the field Of partisan poll
ties. In this way n is hoped to set the
best service and 70 promote the merit
system.
Nr. quincy next takes up The question
OF natural monopolies' ana says that
II must be borne in mlnd that municipal
ownership does rot necessarily imply mu-
nicipal operation Even the highly or
canized cities OF Europe" says lie, with
their permanent civil service systeus. find
n better policy 20 lease certain fran
chises for q term Of years than TO oper-
ate directly such branches OF public ser
vice as street railway systems or gas
works. Many who are alarmed at the
suggestion that an American city should
manage a great and intricate electric
a.ilway system, With It's hundreds or syen