The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-24

the capacity of members OF the County
Councils. City Councils, and Rural coun-
ellis. and this they do without Zee or re-
ward of any kind. and entirely at their
own cost even for travelling expenses.
Public opinion demands this OF men oc-
cupying positions of wealth and influence
and they fully recognize and accept the
duty.
4 reference which | have Just mace
20 the lists OF county and city coun-
ellis shows that very large proportion
of the members OF those councils are men
OF this class: men who have large in
terests At stake. and are themselves
heavy taxpayers. both national and 10
cal AT the present time numerous MEM
hers OF the peerage and OF parliament
are MAYORS OF cities and chairmen or
County Councils. Others are Aldermen
and others again councillors. All th'se
offices are hlled by popular election, ana
therefore. these men do not owe their
positions TO their being peers or members
Of Parliament but To the popular vote
The Duke of Norfolk thc Premier Duke),
whose peerage dates from 1888. and who
Is one OF the wea,ihiest members OF the
peeragc. and is also Postmaster General
of England. in the present ministry of
Lord Salisbury is at the present tlme
serving his second year as Mayor OF
Sheffield. i city having a population OF
900 OOO people and i'm which he Is large
property owner and taxpayer. The Earl
of Derby Governor-General or CANADA
a few years ago. was Mayor or the
city Of Liverpool last year. The Mar
guess of Ripcn. late Niceroy of India ana
a member of Mr. Gladstone's ministry
was last year Mayor OF Ripon. The llsht
Honorable " l.. Jackson, Nj. I. Shiei
Secretary for ire'and I'm Lord SALISBURY
last ministry was Mayor OF Leeds, city
Of $1,000 people last year, Sir James MI
son Paronet is Mayor this year. lie Is
the head OF one OF the largest engineer
ing concerns in the country and employs
several thousand hands.
These are only "A few names wnlch
occur TO me at this moment. Inere
are many others. and hundreds OF
gentlemen, not peers, but as wealthy
and influential as these, are w.
dav filing like positions all over England.
This recognition OF the obligation 10 uls-
charge public duties without lee or re-
ward by all those whom fortune has ia
vored gives tone to all public bodies IN
England and makes membership III C'y
and county councils sought for oy all the
best citizens i'm every community III"
ablest and most successful business men
]
of the city Council and bring to the dis
charge of their duties those qualities
which have made them successful as citl-
Gems and business men. Business methods
are applied to the management OF pun
lie affairs and neither boss rule cor
riIpt bargains nor deals of any improper
kind are heard OF or limited at Ihere Do-
ing no pecuniary reward OF any KIM oi
amount attached TO the holding or ONCE
4, any CITY or County Council in Eng
land and no allowance being made TOT
per diem or mileage nor any free passes
on the railroads or street cars these
offices are not sought for except by those
who are able to afford the time ana 'he
means to discharge them. and thus
distinctly higher and more independent
class Of men is obtained thah Is poSS'
HE under a system which makes pro-
vision for these rewards or perqusites.
However good may be the laws unless
they are administered by an educated IN
depeudent and business-lke body OF men
who have a vital personal and not mere
" sentimental interest I'm the results 10
be achieved. IL is impossible to nave soou
and satisfactory local government In
England this truth Is fully realized ana
hence cities and county government Is
successful. economical and reflects credit
upon every one concerned IN II. uhth TINS
truth is realized here. and men or anairs
and wealth recognize and cheeriuiIS
shoulder their share of the burden or
administering the laws We shall not nave
good local government. The first duty
Of every good citizen is to endeavor 10
create this public sentiment and to con
tribute towards it by being ready to take
his share OF the burden.
IN a further conmunication' "hicn
will send you. | will endeavor 10
show how the application OF tnese
general principles WORKS III
Ior9 and Illustrate the same by
- description of the municipal govern
ment OF a town of 5000 inhabitants with
whose history ! have been familiar since
childhood. and the accounts Of which ior
the last year | have just received.
'''o j. +. JACKSON.
Richmond. Va. March q ~