Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-11-22
MUNICIPAL REFORM.

with the election and Inauguration
OF every new city administration, both
promise and hope are renewed in
the breasts of our patient and long
suffering citizens; but, practically,
1t is a continuation of the same old
system, in which the people and city
exist for the government and the
government serves itself and its Off
GERS, together with certain private
persons and interests, and no concern
for the general welfare: unless the
latter may in some way rebound to
the greater good of the official and
private individuals aforesaid. At best:
They keep the word of promise to
the ear, and break 1t to the hope"
Baltimore is now enjoying one of
these seasons of Cheerful anticipation"
after n Democratic victory, in which
a mayor and council are chosen
full of PROMISE The Mayor, Mr..
Hayes, is highly euloglzed by the Bal
timore Sun, which also says:
He is favored not only by the i'm
proved working conditions created by
INC ieW charter, Wnlch con templates
better methods and broader principles
OF municipal government, and by the
unusually good character of the City
Council elected last May, but by the
attitude of the public mind toward the
general questions OF Observation-Disclosures
ton with which he will have to deal.
The sentiment in favor of a strictly
non-partisan and business administra-
ton of municipal affairs has been
SteldilV N in CT
past, and in spite of the discourage
ments and disappointments which it
mas suffered, is probably stronger to-
day than ever before. 1t manifested
itself in the responsive enthusiasm
evoked last spring by the candidacy of
Mr. Hayes, who, while the regular
party nominee or the Democrats. was
accepted by independents as the rep
resentative of good government. AS
such he will enter upon the discharge
or the duties of his ofIice-the renre-
sentative. not merely of a party, but
of the whole people"
The Sun is full Of hope and conf
dence, and the people are jubilant over
the prospect OF "the good time a.
coming" May no blighting frost nip
these delightful buds of popular ex-
pectation. Yet how ofton has "hopc
told a flattcring tale!" The Sun, re-
ferrng to this, seeks to re-assure
Baltimoreans thus:
THE public is familiar with the
lat'erinS promises of the in-going
rule, it no longer regards these
conventional protestations as po-
sessing any practical significance
But Mr.. Hayes reputation for down
fiSnt sincerity and for logged deter
mination raises any declaration which
he makes above the ordinary political
level and gives 1t value of its own.
There is Il positive and manly ring in
the language in which he announces
his general policy, as outlined in sat
urday's Sun. that accords we'll with
his reputation for straightforward
earncstness and honesty, and that will
increase public faith in his character
and public hope for his success in
the difficult task that lies before him.
His purpose to reduce municipal eX-
penditurcs by careful and systematic
scrutiny of all appropriations will be
nailed with general approval by tax
payers, who have long desired a man
in the City HAIL courageous enough to
undertake this work. There is reason
TO believe, that Mr. Hayes will be able
TO effect considerable saving by the
abolition of unnecessary offices and
the adjustment of expenses to q bust
ness basis-a saving that will, in the
course of comparatively short time,
make itself apparent in the tax rate.
Better and more promising however.
than such specific economics is the
spirit Of honest independence which
MI Hayes declares shall characterize
his administration"
Mr.. Hayes talks bravcly. and per
haps the new charter Of Baltimore
invests him with power that will
not only enable him to do what he
proposes; but Will uphold him against
all the pressure sure~-to be brought
against him. We heartily wish him
success, for we are finding in Balti-
more's example no few good things
to learn, and she will be our bene-
factor indeed. if she shall teach us
how to achieve the municipal reform
Mayor Hayes promises so confidently.
We trust our Norfolk readers will
pernse and ponder the words and
thoughts of Mr.. Hayes, as given by
MN IN an interview few days ago.
The administration OF the city's
government during my official term
snail be business one and kept out
OF politics. BY kept out of politics 7
mean this: l shall require my ap-
pointees OF heads OF departments and
sub-departmcnts to run their depart
ments In the interests Of the city.
and not politics. They shall be men
fitted to discharge the duties of then,
respective Offices. The controlling
motive with these men shall he the
ciiy's welfare. not politics, and in the
appointing OF their respective subor-
dinates only men shall be appointed
who can give the city the best service