The sun., 1900-04-02

Iu6I6 - hO duA uJtit. III Sd9iuE ohO
hundred cents is a dollarn 1t is not
true to say that "a dollar is one hundred
ceqts' The only dollars known in
Uaited States coinage ia gold dollar and
silver dollar. One hundred cents is
not dollar.
Try again.
TuAT there is need for the improve
ment of the local municipal government
is seli-evident, this fact, and the sin
cerity OF William 7. Bancroft, a com.
muncication from whom was printed in
THE Sun OF Thursday last, makes what
he has to say on that subject worthy Of
notice; and while we concede al! this we
cannot endorse the plans for the needed
Improvement which he proposes.
Our first objection is that the plan ap-
pears to us to be an attempt to find a
substitute for popular government; that
bet ween the lines it expresses distrust
Of the capacity of the people for self
government. This it does in the proposed
plan for the selection OF candidates for
municipal cffi,eI. 1t is possible that
by this plan of procedure more capable
men may be named as candidates. That
however is not assured. As we under
stand L any ten voters can name can
didate and can name candidates without
any public discussion OF the fitness OF
the candidate, and without regard to Il 0
popular will in the matter. This We
think is fatal mistake. 1t is a depalt-
ure from the fundamental principles Of
American government, for which We see
70 good reason. 1t is opposed TO the
general trend Of our politics, which is
toward direct vote Of the people for all
tha important officers of tie State and
natianal government. In proof Of this
we cite the growing belief that the Presi-
dent nf the United States ought to be
solected by a majority vote Of the people
without the Intervention Of the electoral
college, and also the proposition To et CT
United states Senator'S by direct vote
without the Intervention OF State leSisIa.
lures. Ii this be true in these larger
concerns of politics and government,
why not also true in the smaller affairs?
The same opportunities for interest in,
and the influence OF municipal affairs are
open to good citizens in tie sm aller
affairs as in the larger ones. There are
good and capable men in all parties, and
when these men are willing to devote
their time and talent to municipal affairs,
this Of itself will eliminate the faults of
partisan municipal government. The
trouble is that these men will not do
that under present condition; bntthat is
their error and not fault Of the system.
It'll patsanship hat keeps alive public
interest Z politics and government, and
t''a' is 9hs9lutey essential III every de.
paHhant If our civil lite. Now il it
harr n5 that The less Competent take
more. interest IN these aIaifs than the
more camHesent, ana by that means the
duties and qbiga iqas n odi ial HE fall
upaa tbe @ coup tau. by popular
eh1iee 4 l1. b4eanse t4e tess co nna.
tent thaa tae9 anght bit .liat
tGc ntofH emHeteG Ias4 Fau they
ous.it la is case il ID not Id aceord
Wiglt .sas 5i fGa q 4eus i5{6 at.
teHH' .s shas 81. & IA patton in
governmental sifai9s ta papa gba are
wittitg .q do, will r rs hebas5taey
car II order giG 3ca IL tH9su wdo
neglect aalrslase - setaf DUTIES i'll.
caateH uaonttleia
fhat BIZ II one q, tie t'.e IL Mr.
Bl3saIt' pIaa ior su.ig iug candidates
II aaiessed III bi- ar iaJe. ile saws
Wii8 wla'd appfea NJ result III yerg
lar5a aIabar 81 candidates does n5s
ltaSe aa. result. The leasan for ll.is is
paiA. Under the system uf what he
cal's partisan municipal government.
mary people take part il parry piima-
r,e8. A leass opportunity for thai is
afforded Party organization keeps IN.
terest in such affairs aIivp, and party
calls arouse those 50 interested to action
nm | the party primary becomes a mani
festation Of popular will That is the
iteal When that ia not realized it is
y cause too maryland generally those
who ought to do otherwise-de to
become assimilated with the masses Of
the people in political action. Under
the proposed plan, as he confesses, only
2 few people are induced to name candi.
dates. In the absence of party interest
the masses OF the people lose intert 81 in
public matters and they drop into the