Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-01-30
Political Machices Should Not
Interfere
In the Conduct Of Local EIec-
ti0ns.

To the Editor of the Democrat:
Now that the question Of reform in
Our city government is occupying a
prominent place in the minds and
consciences Of very many Of our most
progressive, public spirited citizens,
and is being discussed In the Economic
League, the newspapers at home and
abroad, 1t would seem TO be the duty
and privilege of the average citizen
to claim a hearing in order to present
his own views, as best be may, on
subject Of such vital Importance to
all, SO that out of the aggregate Of
opinions and views in the controversy
now on, there may be evolved form
or system of municipal government
best adapted to our condition and
needs in Akron. l am a partisan in
State and National politics, but have
never seen and do not now see the
necessity Of carrying political par
tisanship into the administration of our
city affairs; and the only reason ]
can assign for it's being done by the
political managers, Is to keep the rank
and file Of the voters in the city divided
for Ante and National election purposes
and for no other purpose. Why should
1t be deemed necessary, in local
election, to permit.the political ma,
chimes of the State TO come in and
control the election of city officers
in all departments Of the municipality
What relation has the government of
a City to State or National politics
anyway? There are certainly no is,
sues of a political character up for
settlement In n local election, calling
for division of the voters on State or
National partisan lines. The intelli-
gent voter can readily perceive the
peril to good municipal government
and the public safety in such n pro,
cedurc. The several departments OF
municipality, be they in city, viii
lage or hamlet. are simply the crea ton
of the State Legislature In the charter
granted to the city; and department
officers can exercise no powers OK.
cept those expressed in the grant, or
which result by necessary implication
from the grant. The charter of tho
city Is the measure OF its powres.
and may fairly he called its consttu-
tion. This will assuredly be remem.
bered In the framing of the bill to the
Legislature to effect the changes now
desired by the citizens of Akron.
The subject of municipal reform Is
by no means new theme. For many
years back, and now, II Is taking firm
hold on the consciences of the most
profound thinkers, and engaging the
attention OF some of the most conser,
vativc and wisest people Of the coun'
try today, as never before, Indeed, the
trend of public opinion on the question
in all sections is decidedly in the
direction of forever eliminating the
element of party politics In munich
pal affairs, and particularly in the
management Of schools, thus leaving
the citizens free to act unitedly In y
matter entirely Of local concern, Re
lieved from the thraldom of political
pressure and Influences the people OF
the city may safely be left to them
selves in the management OF theh
municipal business in accordance with
the provisions of their corporate char
ter. "All power is inherent in thu
people,"-but that power is usurped b.
political prostltutes-as a genera
rule.
The abnegatlon OF self-governmen
would seem 10 be quite general amonl
the masses of the voters. Self-asser
ition in the matter of voting as yol
IL A sa.y