The Indianapolis journal., 1898-12-02
PROBLEM OF THE CITIES
Concluded from Fourth Page1

would not be necessary. but when we re-
member how far the administration Of CITY
affairs and public sentiment are from an
Ideal condition in this respect I think we
are agreed that it is desirable to make the
city charter aid the enforcement of such
laws and the growth of public sentiment"
The mayor would better perform his du-
ties and the heads of departments produce
better results where the mayor did not in
terfere with the subordinates. Most mayors
consider the administration of office with
reference to future political life. zone
method of using the mayors office to adj
vance political prospects," continued the
speaker, lis by capable administration,
which shall be the best argument for the
promotion Of the faithful servant That this
method is successful is evidenced in our
own day by the fact, known of all men, that
the business administration of one mayor
made him Governor of his State and Presi-
dent Of the United States. But many may
ors have neither the sagacity nor flrmness
to rely upon the appreciation of this kind
of power They seek a personal following /;
they build a political machine. Nothing is
so favorable to a political machine the
authority of the mayor to fill up all Of the
city departments with his adherents. Even
an average mayor will usually appoint rea-
sonably capable heads of departments.
These are offices of some prominence and
dignity, and public opinion is likely to re-
sent any gross mistakes in this respect.
Let the mayor be relieved of the labor Of
appointing subordinates many mayors
would welcome such a law Let him ap-
point the heads of departments and hold
them responsible for results"
MIR. DEMING REPLIES.
Mr.. Deming replied that under the form
of charter proposed in the municipal pro-
gramme the mayor was given the power to
appoint the heads of departments, with the
power to remove them at pleasure. If a city
had mayor with that power he would in
directly control the subordinate appoint
ments, and if they were not made to his
liking. the heads that appointed the subor-
dinates and the subordinates would go off
together at his pleasure. In the second
place. Mr.. Deming said. experience had
demonstrated that the head of a great de-
partment was the last man to appoint his
subOrdinates Third, the proposed charter
had for an integral part complete civil
service reform feature, under which the
subordinate was responsible neither to the
mayor nor the head of a department for his
appointment, but took it by competitive ex-
animation. Lastly, it was intended that no
removals should be made without written
reasons being given. The empIoye was
given the right to be heard SO that the
cause for his removal and his defense
might, if he desired, become matter Of
pU bic record.
Edward ]. McDermott of Louisville, KY,
who some years ago was the chairman OF a
commission that wrought out new charter
for his city, confined himself to a discus
sion of the relative functions of the mayor
and the city council. Many thoughtful
men hoped" said he, that merely liking
responsibility on the mayor for the admins
tration of municipal affairs would bring
great improvements, and II has undoubtedly
done good. but not to the extent expected :;
and for this obvious reason; he IS usually
sought out and nominated and elected by
self-seeking men whom later he cannot con-
troll or resist Even if he starts out with
good purposes he becomes so hampered by
the acceptance of favors from selfish or cor
rupt men during the strain or his canvass,
and so bound by promises made Tor MIN,
explicitly or imphedly. by his ardent sup
porters. that he cannot do freely or at all
what he knows is best II ne Keeps
in harmony with men VINO live upon the
public he will always have ardent, loud 10
auacious champions. and, If he IS shreWd,
he can easily get the support OF a strong
newspaper or two. His self-seeklnS sup
porters can so confuse public questions by
plausible defense and eduivocations that the
people can hardly tell who ls 10 blame. A
mayor and the councimen around him are
often of the same type. Generally he gets
his experience and his political influence
MI. McDermott spoke of the failure of
good results to come from the election OF
councilmen from the city at large because
where there are many TO be chosen the Vot-
ers do not take the trouble or picking the
good from the bad, because the tougher ele-
ment initiating the better element, vote for
only few, increasing the weight OF their
vote, and because the politicians have a
general ticket each of whom supports the
others, and this well-organized band over