The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-11
RULE OF CITIES
GOV. DURBIN'S VIEWS ON THE MANY
PERPLEXING PROBLEMS.
Rates for Cities and the State
Citizens-State Institute Closes.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
ANDERSON, Ind, Oct. l0.-The attend
ance was somewhat increased at to-day's
session of the Indiana Municipal League.
Many phases of city government were UNI
der discussion at the morning and after
noon meetings. a trolley trip to Muncie
was a part of the days entertainment and
the feature of the meetings was an elabora-
ton of Governor Durbin's views on NUM-
cipal governance.
Governor Durbin was not present, being
unable to leave the State capital, but his
address was read by Mayor Bryon, of Law
renceburg, who prefaced the reading by a
few remarks relative 10 the Governors in
terest in good municipal government. In
part, the address was as follows:
THE subject of municipal government
is deserving of thoughtful consideration,
and it is highly creditable to the city and
town officials of Indiana that they should
have taken the initiative in forming a
league for the purpose of promoting re-
forms in that direction. There Is an old
and trite saying to the effect that if we
take care of the pennies the dollars will
take care OF themselves. This honesty ak
ION is applicable to the relations existing
between local and State governments here
and elsewhere. Taxes, like death, cannot
De escaped, but We can, at least, use our
best efforts in the direction of making this
material burden as light as possible with
out placing obstacles in the way or prog
reSS or interfering with the natural course
of events in the rapid DEVELOPMENT of es-
sential adJuncts of wentieth-century civili-
cation. / will not tire your patience on
this occasion by going deeply into statis-
ties, put deem 1t proper TO direct your
attention to the fact that taxation for
municipal and local purposes is excessive
ly out of proportion when compared with
the levy for State and general govern
ment. There is a cure for this. and il
can be successfully applied if citizens will
need the admonltlon 10 exercise greater
care In guarding their local interests. The
system may be deficient in some respects.
but the predominating evil is due to lack
OF interest on the part Of individuals, who
neglect, unconSclouSly, perhapS, a bounden
duty.
One may be a political reformer without
being a dreamer, an iridescent idealist, or
the wearer of long hair. We cannot hope
for perfection in this world, individually
or collectively, but we can and should lend
our assistance to every Well-directed eff
Tort looking 10 the management of pub
lie affairs with the same scrupulous regard
Tor economy and honesty we would insist
Upon III private business transactions. The
government of American cities has long
been the subject of discussion not only in
this country, but abroad, and the consensus
of opinion has been by no means datter-
ing TO our boasttied free institutions. AS
the city OF New York is the greatest of
our municipalities, ii is naturally most
conspicuous as an example. With few ex-
ceptl0ns, the administration of that great
metropolis, for almost a century, has been
VIGOROUSLY corrupt, and conditions exist
ing there to-day are apparently as bad
ward politician without an official title.
was even more a monarch of all he sur
Veyed than any crowned and sceptered
ruler IN all Europe. L do not refer to this
in any partisan spirit, because New York
city is not controlled by a party, as political
parties are commonly known. put rather by
eminent are not made issues nor taken
INTO account, spOils of office alone furnish
ing the animating influences and the OBJ
JectlVe points. Therefore, L contend that in
the management of local affairs We are
warranted Gin casting partisan obligations
to the winds and in doing that which
we know to be for the best interests of
the public veal without subiectfng orr
selves 10 the criticism of being disloval
to the political organization with which
"One of the common complaints against
the administration of municipal affairs
so common, indeed, that it is not amiss
councils and town boards are made mn
largely of a class of men who are not
quanhed to httingly, represent the SUBJ
stantlal elements Of their constituents and
that, owing TO limited personal responsi-
bility. they are not sufficiently prudent i'm
management or adequately cOnsiderate of
the Ilehts Oh others: L do not pretend TO
say or know to what extent such criticism
is J~ustifiable; L simply reassert COMPLAINTS
such as dare say everyone in this pres
ence has heard time after time. II too
often happens, and you all realize IL aS
readily as you distinguish black from whit
that the, trouble is. in large measure. If
not wholly, due TO the Sinking of RESPONSE
billty on the part Of otherwise good citi-
zens. Granted ii is not agreeable to a busy
business man 10 accept membership i'm a
city council or on a board of town trus-
tees; by declining to do so. as he TOO r.
quently does, he thereby Willingly or mn
Willingly leaves the position open TO some
unnt and unworthy occupant. perhaps- he
cause there is no other alternative IL NO.
be said that good citizens can easily cor
rect the evils OF which they complain by
making slight personal sacrifices in habaie
OF public outy and public interests
The exercise of police authority is ono
OF the most perpleXing problems i'm muui-
densome when action is by any means or
IN any sense determined by political in
nuences. Happily, we are gradually get
ting away from the ancient idea maj
guardians Of public peace. to whom We IooL
for the protection Of life and proDertv
be emplyed or discharged for no Other
one party or another. That which citizens
most desire-that which citizens most a.
serEe-ls eIhclency on the part OF those
clothed with responsibility for public cafo
". The metropolitan police law has i'm
posed upon me, as il did upon nv disfin-
guished predecessor. more work and worrv
than you can possibly imagine. IL Vere
TO consult my personal comfort / would
gladly be relieved OF that burden. buf
am not disposed 70 shirk any of the re-
spOnsiDillties / voluntarily assumed when
! took the oath Of Office as your chief
executive. The law is both fair and ef-
%fective IN giving TO the minority party
in each city under its provisions. he Il
Democratic or Republican. an equal share
OF authority and equality. in this as in ali
things, Is. the prerequisite OF justice.
"One OF the most important lessons IN
be inculcated In the minds of the people
Is that laws are made to be enforced
not TO be construed TO suit conditions. not
10 be juggled. not To be trined with II
a law Is extensively oppressive or unjust
~ drastic, there is remedy I'm recourse Ia
repeal bur the emergency Is too remote 10
be admitted 10 exist at all when open de-
fiance can be tolerated.