New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-12
PARTY IN CITY AFFAIRS.
IA SOURCE OF MANY EVILS IN MUNICIPAL
GOVERNMENT
"A SYSTEM OF CIVIL SERVICE REFORM AND
THE ABOLITION OF PARTY BALLOTS IN
THE ELECTION OF LOCAL OFF,


THE ELECTION OF LOCAL OFF,
GALS PROPOSED IN OHIO
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: With the idea that 80 the extent that
responsibility is divided administration is weak
ened," the Federal plan under which the gov
eminent of Cleveland is operated invests all
executive authority in the Mayor and all legis-
lative authority in the Council The Mayor is
elected by popular vote and he appoints a
cabinet" consisting Of six directors of depart
ments. follows: Law. Public Works, Police,
Fire. Accounts and Charities and Correction.
These constitute what is known as the Board of
Control, and administer all the affairs of the
city government except schools. which fall I'M
der the management Of School Council and a
director who are elected by the people The
City Council consists of twenty-five members
elected. eleven each year, from Councilmanc
districts
Thus the government OF the city is provided
for in such manner that where an abuse exists
it is easy to put your finger on the man" 1t
IS considered a better plan than board gov
eminent. but it is a plan that makes for the
worst Of municipal evils II an INSCRIPTIONS
man is elected Mayor-the creation of a per-
sonal political machine. The citizens of Cleve-
land had a taste Of this for four years preced-
ing last April, at which time they arose in their
might and demolished a mast deliberately con-
structed powerful and corrupt machine
PARTY LINES IN MUNICIPAL. AFFAIRS.
Under the system which prevails throughout
the United States and which must be destroyed
before municipal reform can be effected namely,
the decision of municipal questions on National
party lines, every man elected Mayor is certain
20 lie a politician and. owing his election to
one or other Of the great political parties.
must. If he has any honor or gratitude, make
his selections Of city officials from the ranks Of
his party. If he is a factionist he will go
further and select his assistants and their
ployes from the ranks Of the faction he repre-
sents. This perverts city government from its
true functions TO a mere bureau for the support
OF political chieftains and their followers. and
has the effect of commerciaizing every munich
pal transaction and putting a price on every
official act No private business could be con-
Quoted successfully Il its managers and en-
ployes TO be changed from top to bottom
every two years, and if those managers and
employees the lookout constantly for
opportunities TO advance their personal interests
at the expense Of the business.
PUBLIC OFFICE USED FOR PRIVATE ENDS
So long as the party system remains as the
basis OF selecting men to administer the affairs
OF city government long will city govern
ment be the prey of party leaders bosses.
The special curse Of city government in Cleve-
land. as in every other large city. is that the
who elected or appointed to office make
the performance Of their duties a service first
and foremost for the creation Of influence"
From police judge to police janitor, from the
director OF a department to the lowliest servi-
tor, from Councilman to messenger all look
upon their work as means to make friends or
form alliances. Public officials encourage men
with pulls and only with a pull"
get official favor This results in the utilization
of every scrap OF favor or patronage by the man
IN office and the settlement of all official trials
disputes questions or contracts on the basis Of
friendship or personal interest
= In this officials are not so much TO blame as
abe system that chooses them. An official who
would not be guided by the ethics of "infiu-
ence" would have a hard time Of It in Office
and would not keep his place long. There
exceptions, Of course but only where the official
has more TO gain by independence of political
methods than by adoption OF them.
/ Municipal government a rational, sound
isnd patriotic basis will never be secured until
the party spirit ceases TO decide municipal cleo
ttions Reform parties or citizens parties make
mo Improvement the regular parties and
a mere interruption Of political control. The
great municipal evil to be fought in the future
Is the political party system of electing munich
pal officers.
TWO REMEDIES PROPOSED.
The revised municipal code to be presented
90 the Ohio Legislature this winter which has
been prepared by commission appointed two
years ago and which is based upon the sugges-
tions contained in the Municipal Programme"
OF the National Municipal League, takes cog
nizance Of this fact, and proposes two methods
for the extirpation of the evil. The first is the
adoption of complete Civil Service reform in
all departments Of the municipality, and the
second the abolition Of party ballots and the
substitution therefor Of a single nom partisan
ballot, which shall contain under the headline
of each Office as. for instance, Mayor the
names OF the men who aspirants for the
same, without any party designation.
IL is doubtful II the revised municipal code
will be adopted, Ohio, like New-York is a
State Of large city populations. and the politi-
Clans will fight for the retention of the party
system and the spoils system, but its dis
cussion will arouse wide attention throughout
the State, and viii result eventually in the
education Of the voters the subject of the
municipal evils caused by these systems, so that
In the end the principles involved will triumph.
When the spois system in city government
IS destroyed the politicians viii cease to find
lucrative field in the exploitation of municipal
patronage and the municipal boss will find his
occupation gone Men with talent for govern
Tnent special training for municipal work
will find city government legitimate field for
the exercise Of their activities. Then the people
can select men on the basis Of merit and fitness,
and a municipal office will not mean two or
a four years job but career
NJ A. TANNING,
Secretary Municipal Association Of Cleveland,
Ohio.