New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-09
MUNICIPAL REGENERATION.

Many interesting and instructive papers were
read during the three days meeting of the Ma
tiOnal Municipal League at Milwaukee, but no
suggestion, we believe. was more valuable than
the warning of the leagues secretary Mr. Gin
ton Rogers Woodruff, against the danger of ac-
cepting some single panacea as the cure for all
municipal ills His words were directed par-
ticularly to those who permit themselves to be-
lieve that the complete establishment of Civil
Service reform in the cities would put an end
TO all mlsrule and corruption but the warn
ing is worthy Of the attention of all who look
to see the regeneration of a municipality re-
suit from some administrative reform or some
change in the existing forms or machinery.
Municipal ownership, proportional representa-
ton, Civil Service reform, more complete home
rule, single headed commissions or increased
commissions made up of unpaid volunteer men,
bers, ballot reforms, separation of local from
State and National eections-in fact, all the
various plans and schemes, good, bad and in
different which are proposed for the lettering
Of government in cities have their enthusi-
astic advocates, many of whom believe that
through their system, and theirs only can cities
be brought back from maladministration and
ring rule to decent and orderly government
But the fact is that while some of these have
proved vastly beneficial and others might do
good if properly tried, the real regeneration of
cities will begin when better men are consist
emily and regularly elected to fill the admins
trative offices The government of a city will
be as good as, and no better than the average
of the people; not necessarily the people of the
city, but of the people who take an active part
in the local politics. 1t is not pleasant doubt
less, for men who shrink from participation in
the political affairs of wards and districts TO
realize this 1t is great deal easier to STAY
away from the primaries and advocate admin
istrative reform through the medium of the
Legislature. Undoubtedly TO many persons it
seems more respectable Nevertheless, the real
evil everywhere lies in the choice of unfit men
to hold and exercise the powers of government.
If the choosing of Mayors. of department heads
and Of Councilmen is left to corrupt or de-
graded men or to men of little intelligence and
little public spirit the result will be disastrous
no matter how excellent the machinery Of gov
eminent
To the city of New-York this lesson ought
to come with irresistible force. 1t is we'll that
the errors of the present charter are being care
fully considered with a view to amendment
and there is reason to hope that the amend
ments when made will bring about improve
ment in the working of that instrument. The
city has been largely benefited undoubtedlv
by the working of the Civil Service laws rid
recently by the laws for the protection of fran
chises; and there have been other enactments
of beneficial nature. for which gratitude is
due TO those who brought them about. But
despite them all we struggling in the depth
OF official corruption. We are day by day sub
Jected to the humiliation Of open and fragrant
violation of law under the protection of those
who are by duty bound to enforce the laws.
u, -Io
real rulers are not those who nomiuaIlv hold
the city offices. but are, in fact the leaders
Of an unhoy ring, whose members know no
masters save greed and selhshness and vicious
ambition. While such men are permitted to
control our government what hope is there
of better things, no matter what laws or svs-
TENS we have? They will keep control until
1t is wrested from them in the primaries and
at the polls