The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-31

Secretary Atherton, of the board OF
trade, has received from Secretary An
derson, of the Pittsburg chamber OF
commerce, a copy of the report OF the
committee on municipal affairs upon
the amendatory act decided upon by
the local councilmanic committee prior
To the introduction Of the ripper bill
into the senate. This report was unani-
mousy adopted by the chamber.
1t was generally understood that the
Pittsburg people had Jumped upon this
act, but how thoroughly and complete
ly they did this was not revealed until
the report of the committee had been
perused. There wasn't single section
or the act that the committee didn't
have some fault to find with
The committee was especially op-
posed to the amendment limiting the
terms of office of the heads of depart
inents TO three years and making their
appointment by the mayor confii1na-
tory by select council This amend
ment is included among those which
the committee has decided to have In
troduced to the ripper bill
The Pittsburg people believe that the
term of office of the heads of depart
ments should be during good behavior
and that they should be removable by
the mayor, without the consent Of any
legislative body. for Il reason which
must not be political or religious. They
believe that to do this will have
tendency TO stimulate them In their
| work and to secure for the city that
stability and uniformity of admins
tration which is necessary to complete,
efficiency" They arpue. on tho other
| hand. that II an official is dishonest or
| incapable. a fixed Tenure. however
| short. would he foo long for the nubli,
| GOOD.
Making the terms of the heads of de-
partmonts coincident with tho form os
| The movor yould ,bcv ha,ioye couss
| those of,lciols to usc all the influence
| of their denartrants IN sacura tba
! election of the nev. moyor. with the
idea in mind of having themselves re-
annointed
v-or, ,-.,, ,,,,,,r>--,
ihc pau VI haNihS tile hiLsof ap-
| polntinehtS confirmed DF the select
counc!' 'heE argue, Suoordlhates the
''iel executive 10 tha' oraiich Oh lhe
'"uhcl'S Whlcn IL lie ieast representa-
i've anu ueprlNes MN Oh the power 10
ehicieh''E cohtrol the administration or
aharS OF tle CITY, Inc report goes on
" ",ra ny, ,'i ,oi ~ g., ,. .,.,, J..
| tho nover of ,nnointpent aud ran,oyoI
makes a connecting linI, bctvaan the
administrative and legislative denart-
ments of ,he citv which is undesirahIe
crinnles tbe efflcie,cy- Of the mavor
and relieves him of rssnnosibiIitv and
makes rho Selection or rounciImen as
well as of the mayor n matter of vita,
imnortancn to Tho heads Of denart-
ments and furnishes a strong induce
ment fnr tbcno to usa thn natronap.e ot
their offices to that end"
The other side of This last nuestior
may norhons host be eivcn nv nuotinc
the ren,arl;s of select Councilman n
II C,Iemons made at tho meatinr ri
tba IepisIative committee on Tuesday
night. He said.
81 favor tha idea of hovinc tho seIec,
council copfirn, tbo .nnoi,,,,,,ents a,
bnads oP danortr,a,,ts n,odo h,, tbc
mavor bncause haIieve that IN oive
t,ot oNioiaI ,,rlir,itsa rou.or IL, tbe
MAILING NJ onnointn,ents wou,d he r.
ostablish an nligarcbv and make a sor,
n, a Ii,,I, c,,,. o,t ~ hin, II ba wa,
.ooa ovar oil ,vo,,Id 90 vol, hut i,
No 80. h,a o,or oil uou,d o.o yvrop,
80 ~,
LII DE- 'Nhi1iS i'i''
IF the mayor had the power to APP
point and remove these officials With
out the confirmation of select council
they would be completely and entirely
under his thumb. They would be mere
marionettes. They would have to dc