The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-24
Municipal Government IN England and
America,

Editor Of The Times:
Sir.-Now that the hurry burly Of the
presidential election is over and the Ma
ti0nal Government settled Tor al least
ANOTHER four years seems very proper
time for the people Of this country and
especially the people living within towns
ana cities having corporate charters TO
give attention 10 the question Of munich
pal goNernment with the object If posi-
bic OF arriving at some clear conception
Of the causes which have led up 10 and
still cause corporate government OF cities
in this country TO be a failure and with
view to the amendment Of the same.
That corporate government OF cities IS
a failure here is so notorious fact that
it would seem useless To argue the point.
New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, down
through all the smaller cities Of the
country even TO our own city OF Rich
mOnd all evidence tho truth OF the pro-
position
The series Of articles published by
Dr.. Albert Shaw on the government
Of the large cities II England ana
tho continent OF Europe clearly show
that no such disagreement IS either
common or possible there and from my
own knowledge Of the municipal govern
ment of the smaller cities and towns OF
England. / know that these also are
equally as we'll governed rs the large
ones OF which DE-. Shaw has so ably
written. Before | conclude / shall hope
by comparison Of the accounts and me-
thoJs of at least ono TOM in England OF
about the population Of the city OF Rich
mond 10 prove the truth OF tits state
ment At the outset of consideration of
this question Il would ccem pertinent 10
endcavOr first TO ascertain whether there
is any cause peculiar 10 this country ana
pertaining 10 its institutions as distin-
guished from those Of England which
necessarily lead 10 this defective system
OF city government. ! frankly confess
that 1 can lind none. In both countries
popular government that Is government
by TIE people for the people IS equally
cherished. valued and insisted upon. The
only difference | find in the application
OF this system is that in England, coupled
with popular gcvernme ut is popular pay
ment Of the cost Of government the prin-
cipic that ''ths man who pays the piper
has the rshs TO call the time is recog-
nized and acted upon. whilst in this coun-
try we have popular government without
equally popular payment the piper calls
the time. and the nearer must pay whe-
Their he likes the selection or not In other
words. in England taxation and repre-
sentation go together. whilst here we
have too often representation without
taxation. Taxation without representa-
ton is tyranny. Representation without
taxation IS equally tyranny. We suffer
here from the last form OF tyranny, and
the tyranny is evidenced by the
inefficient government OF our towns and
cities Possibly another cause may in this
country be- found for want OF success In
the application OF the principle OF Dopu-
lar government 10 cities and towns, and
that is the dsnclisatiOn on the part
Of the best citizens to bear their proper
share OF the burden Of administering To-
cal government. This is. believe. almost
found to be the case. and as
a result, incompetent. unframed and un-
successful men. men. wanting In prnci-
pie. are placed i'm power in cities either
70 fail to administer the trust commit
tel 10 their ch.irge or 10 administer II
In the interest OF the boss or clique
who sent them into power. Whilst II Is
distasteful 10 me TO draw comparisons
between the citizens of this country and
OF England. yet truth compels me 10 say
tina, there Is in England a much higher
sense OF public duty implanted in the
Weather and higher classes than IS 10
he found here Bv far the greater num-
,,e great land owneIs and the wealthy
manufacturers and merchants CT that
country recognize the obligation resting
on them TO give freely OF their time and
ability r. TIA aAEytcs Of the country N