Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-02-17
MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

There appears disposition on the
part OF the present Legislature to re-
store the municipal elections In this
State to the same time as that nj
which the general elections are held
IL this step be taken 1t may no found
that the conservative sentiment OF the
citizens in municipalities 10 decidedly
opposed to such policy, at least
until the existing rule receives
full test The last Legislature,
In obedience to commonly Expressed
sentiment, and not as political
party procedure, passed law Intend
ed to remove, 80 far as practicable,
municipal elections from those OF
more general character In which party
questions in etate or national matters
have more or less influence. The pur-
pose OF this was to give the voters n
greater amount OF liberty In their
choice of municipal officers than is
possible where such choice is bur.
dened with general questions that in
volve state or national Issues but do
not enter into municipal politics. The
law thus enacted has not had op.
portunity to be tested IN practical
operation rs yet, since the first cleo
tion under 1t would come mex year.
The experience OF other places, and
OF this State as well. leaves no doubt
TINT when municipal elections are hold
tho same DAY as state elections, the
questions that affect the latter largely
dominate the former, ana as reRuli
the voters do not exercise their full
choice for local ofiiceIs. The con-
ditions are so restrictive as to render
them unable to do 30. The knowledge
OF this Is before nominating con-
ventions, hence neither in nomina'
tions nor elections are the beat men sus-
tanned, ne a rule, for city ofiicers. The
situation gives chance for schemers
TO gel into municipal oiilce. under the
guise OF important general ifsues
and careful selection OF more promi.
nent officials. Thus the municipal
platter becomes dumping.ground,t to
a degree, whereas 1t ought to be kept
Ms clean US possible, since Its relations
are 30 close to the people. On the
other hand, the experience OF those
municipalities which keep their cleo
tons as free as practicable from state
and national Issues 10 that TIE voters
are freer In their choice, and exercise
it more effectually In behalf of prefer
able candidates for local office, than
under the other conditions.
We are aware that there are many
Intricate questions connected with
election affairs, especially ia munich
palitiee, giving ground for much
reasonable difference OF opinion. 1t is
pretty safe rule. however, when one
method gives greater freedom OF action
10 the voter than another, to select the
ons that affords the brosdest exerciFe
of individual liberty. In this case
that one is to keep municipal elections
apart from those affecting the State
generally; and the preference In this
liue is so strong and 80 important as to
outweigh even the objection to fire.
quency OF elections. which, in this
case, is shown by the experience OF
older communities to be the lesser OF
two evils.
There are some questions connected
with legislation on municipal gov.
ernment which will in time, and per.
haps at no distant date, interest cur
lawmakers. Much has been said 10
the way OF discussion as to u whether
long or short term Is best for city
officials; (2) whether the greater
power should be centralized in
the mayor or in the council !;
(3) whether councils should be
composed OF one or two housel;
~ whether the administration
of departments should be In
boards consisting OF several members,
or in an individual head. And the
consensus OF opinion, based on the best
administrative results attained, may be
indicated as presenting the following
ideal upon the particular questions
namedi
~ That the relation Of q mayor to
the people ia Of such peculiar and i'm.
p5rtant character that the voters
rhould get at him often, and
one year term 10 sufficient; that
the councillors should be chosen
Tor three year., but that one.third
should be elected each year, 6lwhys
having nm organization with two.
thirds experienced members; that
other elective officers be chosen for
Two Year,.
~ That the power OF the mayor
'huuid be Increased 30 that he can Re-
move heads of departments for cause,