The herald., 1897-01-10

complaint both vigorous and strong was
made not so very long ago against a
gross violation of the law on the OBJ
struction of a street. The official COM
planned to refused to take any steps to-
ward amending the matter, and when
demonstrated with. asked: What are
you going to do about it?' That man
could not have held his office one day
under the new charter, after having TAX
en- such q stand. The mayor would at
once have removed him, and wildly sup
posing a mayor that was absolutely
blind to his own interests, and utterly
defiant of public opinion failing to do
50. the council could supply, in this re-
gard, the deficiency Of the executive
head.
Then with regard to the election of
councilmen at large, rather than by
ward" continued the speaker, this
method is the natural corollary of the
concentration of power in the mayors
hands. The present method of each
ward electing a councilman has two
drawbacks, either one of which is fatal
to its success in active operation, viewed
from a cold blooded business standpoint.
First, it gives the ward politician the
opportunity to organize his forces and
elect a man that is not necessarily the
choice Of the ward, and, in the second
place it affords an opportunity for a
man who is of an aggressive character to
obtain more for his ward than other
wards of the city enjoy. AS matter
Of fact the council Is legislative body,
and under the new charter broad-gauge
men will necessarily be chosen and will
legislate for the city in it's entirety and
not fritter away strength by pulling and
hauling, each councilman fighting for
his own individual ward. True, 1t Is pro-
vided that no two councilmen shall be
returned from one ward, and that is
wise provision. for then every portion
of the city win be represented by man
knowing the needs of his own ward, but
the election of each ward representative
by the vote of the city insures the return
of men not necessarily known as politi-
clans, but noted for strict integrity and
business acumen.
Not less important, however, than the
changes / have referred to-" said Mr.,
Gibbon, as he became a trifie enthused
by his subject. lis the making of all
minor appointments under civil service
rules. l wonder if the average citizen
and mechanic realizes what this means
to them? Every moderately circum-
stanced mechanic, every laboring man
earning his daily bread by hard toll. can,
obtain comfort in the thought that his
boy or girl stands on an equal footing
with every other child, though they have
wealthy parents. in the chance to obtain
q POoltiOip uuUCl tliG EONcIH-
ment The schools are open to all alike,
and the minor appointments in the city's
gift will also be open to all. Merit alone
will tell in competitive examination, and
the city will be assured Of a well edu-.
Gated and well trained corps of assist
ants"
In the light of Mr.. Gibbons remarks 1t
seemed superfluous to ask him as to
whether he favored the new charter He
frankly conceded however that thera
were some minor points that might per-
haps, in his opinion. have been improved
upon. Making, however. due allow
ance for the fact that the human mind
is diversified and approaches the exam
nation of any question from it's own in
dividual standpoint he gave it as his
opinion that the amendments that had
been drawn up are an immense advance
in the right direction, and ought to re.
ceive the vote of every taxpayer who
desires to see the city advance along an
enlightened and business line.