The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-03-17

anu SPGHuluS money Wlefe lHeIt ought to be but one, It is as If several mem bers or family were drawing checks independently on the same bank It is time to grow out of the ways which were sufficient when New Haven was simply large town.
 The lack of close, business-like ad- ministration threatens the prosperity of the city, Our debts approach the danger limit, To do what ought to be done for the city without inJuriously increasing the rate of taxation requires great skill on the part of those in au- thority. Our best men must be called into official places and they must be given large power and held to large re- sponsibility. The present charter is not at all adequate for the needs of the new time The only hope of efficient and responsible government is in ob- taining @ city charter which is a busl- ness-lke document
 It would seem that good citizens might get together, forgetting minor and selfish conditions, letting regard for the city govern their action, and make a charter which would be approved by the legislature. So New Haven would come into line with the best governed cities which are trying to remove the reproach of corrupt city government from this country. But New Haven Is not distinguished for united action on such subjects. A large number of our most intelligent men have no interest in such questions and give us no leader shipship in great questions for the com mon good. The conservative instinct leads many to be altogether reaction ary. The men who think it for their interest to perpetuate loose methods, opportunities for deals, multiplication of offices and machinery are busy and those who desire only good economical city government are inactive.
 Once more We have come in sight of charter revision and there Is great dan ger of another failure. Mistakes have been made and men are irritated and disappointed. No good defence can be | made of the committee of thirty and it's course of action, but the child was bet ter than it's parentase led us to expect, | and we could afford to forget the par ent while our hopes were centered on the child. The committee of fifty was | a representative body and it's work is worthy of all respect. Change and amendment in minor particulars were very likely desirable. But if the char | ter could have gone to the legislature as the committee left it with substan- | tial agreement in request for its pas sage. it had meant the greatest good | for New Haven.
 l Now the charter is in the hands of another committee and it's enemies ap- pear to be pooling their issues" and l taking from it most that makes it of value. If those who object to some pro vision of the charter are to combine | against it, there is no hope of anything | better If men are to magnify their 1 fears and to be unwilling to be guided | by the experience of other communi-
 ties. no improvement in city govern ment is possible.
 Thereis danger that the greatly needed | charter revision may be drowned in the 1 flood of selishness, pettiness, prejudice,
 timidity and ultra conservatism. A re- spectable appeal ought to be made by | lovers of the city and it's good name, l to the mayor and his associates to save the charter and it's business-like prin- ciples It will be long before we come again in sight of reasonable charter revision if we fail now. It is the time | to ask this new committee to be pat riotic and large minded and to confer a 1 great blessing on the city.
 The enlarged powers of the mayor, to which objection is made, are guarded against abuse Give him large power and he will feel his responsibility. He will feel a pride in giving the city good 1 commissioners and 2 good administra- | ton. That principle works everywhere. 1 The provision for appeal to the superior | court in case of abuse of trust is suffi- cient protection against the misuse of power by city officials.
 The republican party has full con
 trol of the city and an overwhelming majority in the legislature. The repub- 1 licans can do as they please. They
 have the opportunity to confer upon New Haven the greatest possible bene- 1 fit in the adoption of the charter sub
 stantially as it left the hands of the mayors committee of fifty The may
 or under it would doubtless appoint good men and the gift of a good charter
 and good administration would be all
 the claim to the control of city affairs
 which any party needs.
 The administrator of Mayor Earns worth ought to be marked by the liftinc up. through this new charter, of muni- cipal government in New Haven. This
 city ought to lead other cities in this
 matter, and it lags behind them now l The committee of ten ought to make all
 good citizens their debtors, having re-
 gard to the labors of the larger com
 mittees of thirty and fifty. If wa car
 be united in sending to Hartford q
 charter which is business-like, framed
 to meet the needs of the city to-day l gathering up the results Of the eXper. fence of other cities, it will be granted
 New Haven will be better city to live
 in and those who have given us respon-
 sible. efficient city government vii have greater honor.
 A LOVER OF NEW HAVEN.