The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-10-21
SAVING TO THE CITY.
,,,1oB MYERS DEFENSE OF
THE COMMISSIONS.


-, n Consolidation of Work.
,ts Reasons why the Commissions
I'D Re Continued-WiII in Time
n.,.,D,c practically NOn-FRctiOnal.
4 ,,,..,~ Morning News: AS a citizen and
lover interested in an economical con-
sr,r If public affairs, and with no per-
q nor ractional ends to be subserved,
q t.- the indulgence of your columns to
a -,s,l, Of the conservative business men
~ +sv-navers of Savannah to give that
a o, and careful consideration to the
,-. ,non the statute books that created
i -, 5ieerenr municipal commissions, and
,bs snd sought to be conserved by Great
Inc the commissions.
with no factional campaign to divert
tbs minds of thoughtful citizens, should
49,. NOT consider whether the commits
s;,rs have not been of benefit, not only in
o,rr7ripg Expenditures, but in securing
,ra,rer attention to the various depart
n,ents than was possible to be expected
from, members of the aldermanic board
the latter too often nominated for their
individual popularity or ability to bring
o. following to the polls for a partisan or
factional orsanization, and many of
whom when elected, find their own bust
,,.s interests must suffer if they are ex-
re-+ed to do proper service on two or
three committees of council, and attend
4ba frequent committee meetings, and
meetings of council; besides the personnel
Of the board of aldermen is generally en-
tirs1, changed every two years, and it re-
otj-es about that much time for an alder
man 10 thoroughly understand and become
conversant with his duties.
II is not claimed that the laws govern
ing the commissions are perfect, but it
may be safely claimed that the theory
and principle are correct; that the best
interests of the municipality will be sub
served by such boards of commissions,
which, if believed to be semi-factional
now. must certainly become less so, for
as terms expire from time to time, the
vacancies will be filled by whatever adj
minstraton may be in power, until event.
ualv the boards must necessarily become
nearly, if not wholly, independent of fac
tons, which latter of mushroom growth
will have their rise and fall in future cam
paisns.
There was no protest nor opposition to
the passage of the laws creating the COM
missions-it was only after the community
was divided into factions that antagonism
was ensendered against these municipal
boards, and savage attacks made upon
them before a fair test of their usefulness
had been given.
Anything looking to a removal of the
Il =
tisan or factional control should merit the
appreciation and insure the commentator
and support of those who have greater in
terest in economy and system in public
expenditures and public work than in the
success of this or that club or faction. If
1t is assumed, for the sake of argument,
that these commissions now lean, or have
in the past leaned more to one faction
than to another, the repeal of the laws
that created them would be poor rem
edy for it, would perforce result in giving
the entire public patronage into the hands
of those who antagonized the commissions
before giving the latter a fair trial to see
III the citys interest would be enhanced
But what should now be considered,
when there is nothing to cloud the reason
land judgement is, whether it is not best
that the various departments of the cor
|poratiOn would be under the operation of
competent and trusted business men, who
Iere willing to devote their time lat no ex-
pense to the city, to the particular boards
to which they belong, something the av-
erage alderman has not been able to do in
the past. Those commissions receive
training and experience that cannot but
insure to the city the most efficient ser
vice. for as one member is changed every
two years, it still leaves a well experienced
working majority thoroughly familiar with
the requirements of the Departmental
that these boards can never be the Great
ure of any changing administration, for
the faction of one year may be retired in
the next.
That the city has been benefited by the
consolidation of the different departments
under the official supervision of commits
slons entrusted with their care and needs
cannot be truthfully gainsaid, nor will any
one, who cares for his reputation as an in
te4gent person, say that a committee of
aldermen, attending frequent meetings of
committees of council, and giving atten-
t1n TO their own pressing affairs, could
hope to conserve the city's interests as
We'll, no matter how patriotic the desire
members of council might have to do so.
calm, dispassionate estimate of the
value of commissions of the character I'M
DER review should be made Jy reasonable
ana intelligent citizens, regRf dless of what
particular club they may now be
aS7oclated with or with what
iaetonal organization they may
nave been connected with in the past, to
me end that there may not be successful
renewal of the clamor for the repeal of
ue laws which created the commissions,
ana under which they are now operating
e'llencing by their work that they are
an Improvement over the old system, not
only IN efficiency of service, but in con-
uucuhg 1t at less expense and yet tending
70 increase the city's revenues, and in time
70 materially decrease the tax rate and
Nor should encouragement be given to
oe. measure looking to an emasculation
-. 'He laws making the commissions such
80 name only. Amendments of the laws
.iiaS he Wise and necessary from time to
I'm que always in a direction tending to
ni1Hslhen rather than to curtail their
lo"tl Tor thorough service, and the soon
otlhs the commissions to a position of
tbI5oiIle independence of factions, en-
,,r,s mem to conduct the city's affairs
sr 'AeA by the clamors of ward heelers
oa CIV partisan domination. Under such
,-.'..'ons tax payers may reasonably and
So expect reduced tax rates, an alb
OF deficiencies thorough service and
''ouei city government