The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-03

at once to secure the passage OF suit
able amendments.
II most certainly do" said he, "and
I believe that there Is not q minute to
spare. The legislature meets only once
every two years, and IL We want to get
any amendments through this session
we will have TO act Immediately. i am
not so sanguine that we will be able
to get any amendments passed even IL
the Quay faction does secure the high
hand, but there's nothing like trying.
IL am impressed with the urgent me-
cessity of securing the passage of
amendments which will wipe out and
render void that part of the second
class city act which gives councils the
power to elect the heads of the three
big departments. That's the part of
the act we want to get at. There are,
of course, number of other changes
which would be necessary before it
would be anything like half perfect,
but that's the especial feature that
strikes me as being by far the worst.
"I would favor an amendment which
would either give the mayor power to
appoint these heads OF departments
and thus centralize responsibility in
him, or which would give the people
the power TO directly choose them by
popular vote. We have learned the
lesson over and over again in the past
that the more executive power YOU
place in the hands of councils, which
are purely legislative bodies, the worse
the results.
ACT AT ONCE.
a. A
once, l say. Let good committees from
each branch be appointed let them
consult with the city solicitor; let
them draw up with his advice amenG-
ments which will do away with the
flagrant evils of the present second
class city system of government; let
them see that they are introduced as
soon as possible in the legislature. and
then let every good citizen who has at
heart the interests OF the city yof Scran-
ton, and who does not wish to have its
every department of municipal govern
ment placed in the hands of a few
politicians. set every influence at work
which he can to further their passage
through the legislature"
Mayor Moir is also heartily In favor
of the idea of having councils take up
the matter at once. Said he, yester-
day:
II can't say that I'm q Quay man.
but If the old man is going to he III
| power again, and il looks as IL he was,
| I think We'll be able to get amend
| rlents passed by the Legislature which
! will do away with some of the ob1ec-
| tionable features of the second class
| city act and for that reason I'm glad
| he's on top again.
"The board of trade has, TO be sure
| appointed q committee to confer o.
| this question with committees from
| Pittsburg and Allegheny, and at this
conference. I understand, certain
| amendments to the present law will bt
| decided upon. The board of trade has
/ been enterprising in this matter ant
| the members have shown a deal OF
! public spritedness, but in my opinion
| if any such amendments are prepared
| to meet conditions in this city, the
members of the councils, by reason o
| their experience i'm matters municipal
should have some say.
"For this reason 1 would favor tht
| immediate appointment of special com
! mlttees to take this matter under con
sideration and to prepare such amend
ments as they may deem necessary"