The sun., 1901-04-18
THURSDAY. APRIL 1s, 1901.
MUNICIPAL NOMINATIONS.

While it is every citizens right to as
pre to official positions. it is also every
duty to consider the question
Of every candidates fitness for the office
to which he aspires. 1t goes without
saving, and yet it appears necessary to
say it, equality before the law-equality
of political rights--does not assure an
equality of fitness for official trust.
This is a matter of particular interest
and Importance in this city just at this
time. A city election is at hand. The |
question of general interest is that in |
voving the character and fitness for the
duties of municipal legislator, and adj
ministrator. of the men who are to be
nominated and elected ut the coming
election. All The people are interested
in that.
While We concele the claim that char
acter ana fitness should alone be con-
sidcred in the selection of candidates
that the time for snch discretionary use
of the prerogative of choice is ut the
primary election. There is no other safe
way. 1t is at the primary that the
responsibility falls on the party. Its
general standard of character is being
tested in its selection of candidates for
high standard will be set mp by the
selection of good andidates-charactcr
and fitness considered-and the CON
trary may result in the selection of can
didates notoriously unfit for the offices
they seek. These considerations are per-
tinent i'll Republican politics. This city
is Republican city that has been under
Democratic control as the result of the
misuse of political power by the repre-
sentatives Of the Democratic party in
the State Assembly. The city govern
ment was practically removed from this
city to Dover The selection of the
potent city officials in the cityS admins
people and contided to such Democrats
rs happened to be in office at the time.
The City Council was stripped Of all
authority and made practically sub
ordinate to departments created by the
Democrats iii the General Assembly;
il body in which the city really had no
representatives. That these methods Of
municipal government should cause i
deterioration Of the character Of that
government may have been Il question
Of doubt when the system was inau
gurated, but it is not so now. I'll evi
results of it is attested by almost uni
versal Judgment. The system has no
only proved faulty but the administra
tion under it has been hagrantly unjust
and abusive i'll its Use of power. Ii
some respects this objectionable SyStci,
has been modified for the better. HI
general system, however. remains wit
all its Inherent error. Tho only way /
better the conditions. rs the case no,
stands. is to 81 raise the standard q
rNcellcncr in and for city officials, 50 !,
~ assure the very lleSt administrator
possible under the circumstances IheS
are the considerations that are pertinel
IN Republican municipal politics.
The city. beyond doubt is a Republ
can city. The general expectation
that the city pass into Republican col
troll and upon that party will dcvol,
the duty Of repairing the damages whit
IL long nalatministration has brougl
about The difficulties will he grpa
The ability, the industry. and the publ
spirit Of the new administration W
he. if il really ESSAYS lrltprmcnt of Il
municipal conditions tested to the
capacity. In such Il dilemma the II
publican voters face il great rcSpon.
bility in the selection Of canditlat,
Every Republican who can he elect,
should he If the best the party in II
city, and the wIrl. can furnish. )
adventures na merely ambitious or ia
tlunal candidate should hc nominate
The inspiring principal Of the campai,
should be the general good, and the ru
Of action this: The best public SeIyi
IS the best party service.