San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-06-29
CITY TOPICS.
REFORM CITY GOVERNMENT.

REFORM CITY GOVERNMENT.
Just prior to our city elections the
cry Of reform" is raised by every tick
ct. combination and candidate. This is
done for the purpose of catching the
votes of the disconnected, who find
much to complain of in the manage
ment of city affairs. Each new ad-
ministration has succeeded 10 the
financial embarrassment, the political
machinery, the patronage of their pre-
decessors. To cut a little here and
little there, change OF methods in
the management of departments is
about all that the reform amounts to.
Civil service as known throughout the
world has never had foothold in San
Antonio. 1t is a recognized principle
Of all parties or combinations that sue
cess brings with 1t the right to put
the rascals out" who have served the
preceding administration. The biennial
change of office and employment. keeps
hope ever burning in the hearts Of
the unlucky ''outs," while the lucky
'ins" fortify their political fortress at
every point and double the guards on
the municipal ramparts, so that they
may be prepared for the next conflict.
That the public service should remain
practically ON the same footing, is the
logical result Of such a condition Of
city politics. Reform, as 1t Is known.
and practically demonstrated, both in
Europe and in this country, Is entirely
different affair from the reform talk
ed about before our city election.
Mayor Callaghan during the last city
campaign fought a defensive rather
than an aggressive battle with his
opponents; he pointed out his former
administration and compared his
achievements with those of his success
sors in office; he pointed out the fail
ure of his successors in office to
meet the promises made the people; he
promised to bring the city to a sound
| financial basis and to devote his per-
sonal attention to the affairs of the
city; he promised to cut down expens-
es and inaugurate system of re-
trenchment. His election brought with
1t the wholesale removal from place
Of the supporters of the former admin
istration and the consequent hardship
attending such sweep and the APP
pointment of the friends of the success
full ticket to fill the places and employ
ments. Mr.. Callaghan only followed
the example of his predecessors In Of
flee. 1t takes time to adjust - new
machine, and 1t will occur that here
and there a square peg has been
showed into a round hole, and changes
will naturally occur even after every
| thing is considered in good running or
lsder. Under such system of munich
pal politics, single change of even
an insignificant employee raises big
disturbance; throw pebble into a
| placid pond and the waters are dis
| turbed until the wavelets break upor
the shore; remove a policeman, dis.
charge sewer inspector, displace q
school teacher, bounce a gardener and
the whole fabric of the city admins
| tration is shaken up from centre to cir
| conference. When the late John
| Kuefner was discharged as a sewer
| inspector during the Elmendorf admin
| istration, it appeared as IL the whole
enterprise would become a financial
failure. Kuefner was a competent man
and his dismissal was a mistake-he
| talked too much TO suit those in
| charge of the work. Mayor Callaghan
will make the same experience during
his term Of Office. Mayor Calaghan is
doing his best to fulfill his promises
to the people. He may not be able to
| institute genuine municipal reform,
but he will do big work il he brings
| the city to a cash basis during his
term of Office. If he can lessen the
burdens Of the taxpayers or give them
a good return for their money he will
| deserve credit.