The herald., 1897-01-11
Ward Politicians OisgruntIcd at
the New Charter
NO CHANCE TO MANEUVER
The Political Parties Under Necessity
to Nominate Good Men
The Abortion Of the New Charter Means
a Removal of the City Government
From Party Politics.

Judging from appearances to date the
city is divided upon the question OF the
merits and demerits of the new charter.
AS usual in cases of division there is a
majority and also minority party, AMI
without being altogether too dogmatic
1t may be safely asserted that the ward
politicians, whose souls have always
hungered after the spoils. with their
following. constitute the minority, as-
gressive against the new charter. True
they do not stand alone, for there are
some good citizens who are with them
i'm being opposed to the new charter, but
it is a common interest that brings them
shoulder to shoulder for the nonee, and
no mere question of abstract right.
Under the new charter the mayor will
appoint the city clerk, treasurer, auditor,
attorney clerk to the mayor, city en-
gineer, three building commissioners,
three water commissioners, three civil
service commissioners, five directors Of
the library, five members of the board
of health, five park commissioners, five
police commissioners and five fire COM
miSSionerS. No Womder the face of the
average ward striker turns pale as ne
realizes that when all the above offices
are no longer elective his perquisites
will be represented by a cipher. And
as if that were not bad enough any fur
rher effort to line up the wards for IA
vorite councilmen will be unavailing, for
councilmen, as well as members of the
board OF education, Will be voted upon
by the city at large, and consequently
the several political parties in the wards
will be under the necessity OF putting up
their very best men-compe tent business
men-and not necessarily the represent
ativeS of any political clique.
Carrying on the city government as
any other large corporation is carriedon
means dealt TO the prospects of the mere
politician, whether he be ward striker
or nominee for office.
But the spokesman, taking heart Of
grace, cries: How about your mayor?
Is he going to be so immaculate that he
can safely be entrusted with so mucn
patronage?" A very valid question this,
but which conveys an unfair insinua-
ton. In the first place, under the
new charter each of the political par
ties will of necessity feels it incumbent
upon them to nominate for the high Of
flee of mayor a man not only noted for
his integrity and ordinary business ap-
titude but one of the widest culture, and
having the broad minded business eX-
perience resulting from successful Ca
reer in the business world. If such 4
man should act so contrary to his bust
ness instincts and in the face Of
propriety and right defiantly brave
public clamor as voiced by the press as
to make an unwise appointment, then
it is proviG,ed that for any sufficient
cause the council may at any time re-
move any or all of the mayors ap-
pointees.
1t will thus be seen that the mayor 5
authority, under the new regime, is by
no means absolute. 1t goes SO far as 10
permit his appointing sooG men to
office, and then ceases. A bad appoint
ment is subject to the check of the
council. If, however by the combina-
tom of untoWard circumstances. now un-
fores,aen. mayor should be elected who
abused his trust, still the city would
be better off than at present Where
only one executive officer is to be elected
the office carries dignity and RESPONSE
bifity and far greater care will be eX
ercised by the people in making a selec-
ton thar where the mayor is one Ct
nine equally powerful and indspende mt
officials. The civil service rule in OPP
Grafton would also rob a corrupt mayor
of any power to do great harm.
The objection to the mayor being thus
disposed of, an inquiry may be made as
to what right citizens have to vote for a
councilman living outside their own
ward 1t may be conceded as an axiom in
mathematics that "a part cannot be
greater than the whole" and any one
ward sinks into insigniicance when
compared to the city in it's entirety.
About nine-tenths of the business tran
sacteG by the council affects the
city at large, and as each ward will still
continue to return a. member to the
council there is no possible chance that
the interests of any ward will suffs".
An election, at large, however, will in
sure the return of councilmen having
sufficient breadth of mind and character
to recognize the fact that they are legs-
latng for the city. and not merely for a
ward. The business appertaining to the
segregated wards Will be done with the
idea in mind that whatever it may be
affects the city as a whole, and not q
small part of it only.
All Of which is of comfort to the aver
age taxpayer, but carries small conso-
iation to the heart of the professional
politician.