Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-03-25
A GOOD PREDICTION.

A GOOD PREDICTION.
In another column the Democrat
calls attention to the Harmony meet
ing held by the Council and Commits
sloners at the City Hall. last May.
A report is published to show that
the Councilmen have gone TO the
limit of their powers to protect the
interests of the taxpayers of Akron
The following contribution from one
of Akron's best known professional
men, written and published day in
advance of the harmony meeting, will
appear TO our people as being prophet
ic of the truth that there will be no
Improvement in local conditions until
the people have rid their city Of the
Proxy system:
At its meeting last night Akrons
Council took the initiative in holding
out the olive branch of peace to the
Militant Board of City Commissioners.
The Council wants harmony and II
thinks IL can reach it by n conference
with the City Commissioners.
After the horse is gone prudence
would lock the barn.
After three years Of Proxy systcm-a
conference.
The ratification Of franchise steals,
the attempt to pay political debts at
the expense of the people, the creation
of places In the public service for polit-
ical fayoritcs, the building of auto
mobiles without consulting Council,
the farming out to the privileged inter
ests of nearly every available asset
of the city--thcse and kindred excess
es of the Proxy system have caused
Akron's treasury to be bankruptcd,
and have piled upon the taxpayers of
Akron needless general debt ap
preaching very near to tine 100000
limit.
1t is all very well to talk OF
Harmony" ms n result of IA conference
but the people cannot be blamed foi
being skeptical In their expectation ol
very substantial results from the con
ference.
The bald fact Is that the evils of ad
mnlstrntion of which Akron people ar,
complaining viii continue until Il II ma
jority of the Board of City Commits
sioncrs cease from being the ProXic
OF Politicians; cease from using thei
positions as City Commissioners To pro
mote the interests of u political ma
chine and the privileged interests tha
expect fayors at the expense of tn
people In exchange for campaign con
tributions TO the machine.
Soft words ana compliments may b.
exchanged by the Councilmcn an,
Commissioners, and there may be
general declaration all around of
never falling determination to serve tn
interests OF the people but back of
all stands the Proxy system, grim an,
oppressive In its rcality,-thc system
thta has robbed Akron people of thci
right to secure TO themselves the fruit
y
moving the most Important branch o
the local government from the contrC
of the people, and vcsting Its contrc
In self seeking politicians.
IL the conference can do away wit
the Proxy system, 1t viii have been
good thing for the people.
The Council Is willing, as Mr.. Markl
said, 'to worN in harmony" but wi
the Board work with II for the publ
interests in the event some polltlci
boss decrccs otherwise?
We shall see?
The Proxy system will be on tri,
In Akron next Monday.
Are you going TO vote to endorse II
Or do you believe in restoring II
machinery OF your local goyernmel
TO the control Of men who will II
knowledge some responsibility to Il
people for their official conduct.