The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1899-11-22

works and putting them in their pres.
ent condition has been paid off from
the receipts until there is but one mil
lion dollars, approximately, still re-
naming.
These figures apply up to and includ-
ing the year 1896 and the good showing
was made despite the fact that a rOliti-
cal ring had for many years extrava-
gantIy misused persons for political
purposes. Since that time, however,
under different and more prudent
management, the annual cost of oper-
ating the plant has been reduced from
S676,G3l 90, to $474 253.56 per annum, So
that the present city officials will find
it possible without Increasing the pres
ent rate, of paying from the surplus
earnings the interest and sinking fund
charged on the indebtedness created by
the building OF the new six and one
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. water works.
This clearly demonstrates that under
reasonably good management, even I'M
der the spoils system, municipality
can supply itself with water NOR cheap
ly and abundantly, than under private
management. How much greater the
advantage, therefore, could the spoils
system now in vogue be displaced by
civil service, competent men be retained
in positions capably filed, and prefer
ment be the reward of duty we'll and
faithfully performed.
The municipal ownership of water
works is therefore no longer an untried
problem; its success has been clearly
demonstrated in the past; the agitation
for its adoption in those cities which
do not yet possess their own works
argues its continued success in the
future.
There is another feature of private
ownership of public utilities ON which
desire-tO touch.
The profits they make are frequently
so large as to make it of great import
ance to them to have their respective
franchises as nearly as possible peren-
NAL, and whenever a renewal is about
to be had, then large corruption funds
are brought into play which are used
for influencing the public press, and
also directly in bribing the individuals
intrusted by a municipality with the
conduct of its affairs. 1t is, therefore,
not altogether rare occurrence to see
two or three corporations hold undis-
puted sway in community by influenc-
ing elections of members OF the legisla-
ture, of cOuncilnen aud other officials,
with whom they have to deal.
II by Observation-Disclosures this bsno-
full influence in our municipal life can
be eliminated, the gain, from the stand
point of morality alone, would be in
calculable.
Before recommending, however, the
extension of public ownership from
water works to street railways, gas,
electric light, etc, think it absolutely
essential that the merit system be first
introduced to prevent the manipula-
ton ofthese large enterprises by polite
ians for selfish or political purposes.
In fact, think that such an extension,
without the safeguard OF civil service,
would be a great menace to the COM
munity. The discharge of great numbers
of old employees and substitution of
new and untried ones. which would ac-
company every change of administra-
ton would certainly result in demorali-
cation to this, and in great financial
loss. In addition to this, the enormous
increase in patronage would enable
the political boss to more securely in
trench himself in power, so that the diff
liculty of dislodging him (already great
would, under such conditions. be well
nigh insuperable.
This danger would be entirely dis
PEELED by the application of the merit
system, under which emplc yees after
having been appointed regardless Of
politics and because of fitness for their
respective positions, cannot be dis
charged except by degree of nom
partisan civil service commission, for
cause.
In order that all this may be accom-
plished il will be necessary that great
er measure Of home rule be accorded
our cities and that they be rendered
secure against the continuous meddling
of State Legislatures.
The absurd condition now prevailing
whereby members of the Legislature, a
great majority of whom are from coun-
try districts and unacquainted with the
needs of municipal life should dictate
the method of government of a city
which they III no way represent, is III
every way repugnant TO sound reason
and in direct contraventIon OF the spirit
If not the plain words of the various
State constitutions. How often is Legis-
lative ali invoked and obtained by cor
porations against the express desires OF
the people of some community and i'm
the face of vigorous protest, and how
often do politicians carry out their ne
farious. schemes through this same
agency?
In order that public utilities may be
safely managed by community, it is
necessary that there be distinct sep
aratiou Of the executive and legislative
departments of the city government,
and that the executive department, TO
whose charge the management of the
service industries should be intrusted,
have at its head one official who should
be held responsible for its proper adj
ministratiOn, and should, therefore, be
endowed with the necessary powers.
The so-called federal system, in opil
ion, most nearly meet with the requir-
ments Of this scheme OF government
Under it, the mayor is at the head Of
the administration, and on him rests
the responsibility Of its proper con-
duct. He is invested with the appoint
ments OF the heads of the department.
of law, public safety, accounts, and pub
lie improvements, with power of re-
moval upon stating to council his
reasons for SO doing.
The supervision OF the public service
Industries should then, in my opinion