The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-11-25
GOOD CITY GOVERNMENT.

The recently elected mayor OF the city
of Baltimore, though chosen by a party,
has announced in most emphatic manner
his purpose to give his city purely busi-
ness rather than partisan administra-
| ton, convinced, as he says, that he will
have the support of his party in such an
effort.
1 Party nominations for municipal office
are often necessary to prevent that d.
vision and confusion in elections which
too frequently place the most unworthy
and unrepresentative men In Office. In the
South racial antagonisms almost demand
political considerations in the selection
OF municipal governments. But the admin
istration once chosen, partisan or personal
ambition and interests should have but
little part in the management of affairs.
AS The Post has often said, municipal
matters are rather OF business and do
nestle character than political and should
be attended to from business standpoint.
The statement, In the connection indi-
Gated, by the mayor of Baltimore, Is not
only interesting but it may be found Of
practical advantage, as an example OF the
higher wisdom in municipal management,
to mayors OF many other cities, both North
and South. Mayor Hayes. among other
things, says:
Tho administration OF the city's gsyern-
ment during my official term sha,. be a
business ono and kept out OF politics. BY
kept out Of politics ! mean this; ! shall
require my appointees of heads of depart
ments and subdepartments to run their de-
partments in the interests of the city. and
not politics, They shall DO men fitted to
discharge the duties OF their respective otdces
The use OF municipal position to advance
the interests OF any politician or party will
he at once proper reason for the removal
of such subordinate, and IL the head Of the
department or subdepartmcnt does not re-
move such subordinate will remove the
head OF the department or the subdepartment
who SO fails. The municipal government of
baltimore shall not hecome a political ma
chine, nor shall Its affairs bo run by poll
ticians. am TO be the mayor OF this city.
ana there can BIO no power behind the throne
TO- whom my municipal officials shall owe any
allegiance except the people.
This may smack somewhat of arrogance
and too despotic will, but 1t is In the
right direction and In accord with
fortunately growing spirit In hundreds
OF municipalities throughout the country
today to place the management OF local
AFFAIRS upon strictly business basis and
to exclude official favoritism and motives
OF personal ACKNOWLEDGMENT from the con-
duct OF the city government.
The city. especially among the smaller
class that still clings to the policy OF a
municipal administration by politicians
for the benefit Of politicians, or to advance
the interests of the friends and UNDER
strikers OF the higher officials. is not
only falling behind the spirit of the day
but standing directly In Its light and sacr,.
hcing progress to personal ambitions and
sordid interests.
II the new mayor Of Baltimore shall sue
coed in his laudable purpose to prevent
the government of his city by political
machine he will not only be entitled
70 the gratitude Of his own people but
to the praise Of the advocates Of good
government everywhere.