The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-10-25

There is another movement on foot
TO reform the system OF local govern
ment in Chicago. IL is rather remark
able that city which has shown such
a wonderful capacity for business
management should be so shockingly
deficient In self-goyernment The scan
daIs arising from maladministration
are not due to the system so much as
10 the character OF the officials; but,
falling in efforts to improve the politi-
cal methods, the citizens are constant
ly seeking to devise new checks and
eounterchecks.
II IL proposed 10 call a convention for
the purpose of adopting new charter,
and this time the plan Is TO be a unfit
cation OF the various governments ex-
erclsing jurisdiction within the terri
torIal limits of Chicago. Last time il
was believed that the only safety OF
the city lay in splitting up the depart
ments so that no one should have too
great an authority. The only result of
this was that instead OF few men be-
ing able TO turn their official positions
20 personal account each department
had It's quota of typical Chicago office
holders.
The city. despairing of getting any
relief from local system, took advan-
tage OF constitutional provision sim
liar 10 that in this state, which makes
all local laws subject to the general
laws OF the state. The consequence Of
this has been, according 10 the Chicago
newspapers. that the corporate inter
ests OF Chicago have been able to OBJ
tain al the state capital legislation Just
as detrimental to the welfare OF the
community rs any that ever came from
the city council.
The experience OF Seattle cannot be
said to be the same as that OF Chicago.
whore IL Is said that the attempt 10 get
good city government through leglsla-
tive Interference with self government
has proved a failure This city owes
some very excellent legislation 10 the
state legislature. and We know of no
act directed toward the government Of
cities in this state which has proved
mischieyous. All laws bearing on the
subject have been directed by members
experienced In municipal affairs; and
the contrast between our good fortune
and the misfortune OF Chicago makes
more emphatic the conclusion that no
system viii avail IL improper men are
elected 90 All the Offices.
u Is complained I'm Chicago that the
governments exercising Jurisdiction are
SO numerous aud complicated that il Is
difficult for The people to understand
tem oe ,a6e au Intelligent interest In
the mansgement of their own affairs.
Within the limits Of the municipality
jaey have towns. park boards the city
government ana tire county govern
meat Seattle tried that system OF
boards and commissions. but ahan-
doned H. "a the ground that the fault
was BOT with the system, but that il
was too cu1b ersome for 50 small q
place. K seems that the board system
IS too complicated even toF Chicago.
Seattle IS a small city. bar it can fur.
uish 90 example 10 Chicago. because !t
bAs gone through ali the usual CON-
p.a.Gts q AZ infAntne clry. Il has sur
Tered ia turu from = small council.
from a bieameval cogrcil. from a board
system. ana @ single responsibility sys-
tenn. J, may tender Chicago the sug-
gestion that the best form OF govern
uen. Pr a city IS where the council ia
cot smalI enoggh % be easily handled
ty any particular influence and not
large eccnsh - become = boar garden:
With 20 independent lizards. but with
distinct departments under responsible
he2ds. ana. above ail. the mayor should
De- endowed Win very extensive POW
ers sra D. heid directly responsible 10
tAe people fer his acis, Thai system