The age-herald., 1901-04-21
.SNe MuNlexpaA SouerNmeNt.
By ". H Ketdg Before Recent Meeting of
7T
 x S E the Civic Club. SS SC S

 ernment was read by W. H. Kettig, presi- dent of the Commercial Club. The Civic Club is composed of the following mem bers: James Weatheriy, president; Judge W. w Wilkerson, vice-president; w. r. C. Harding, secretary-treasurer; pr. George S.. Brown, E. H. Cabaniss, E. K. Campbell, George Eustis, W. H. Kettig, B. r. Moore G. B. Mccormack, W L.. Murdoch, Walker Percy, R. c. Redus, Ross C. Smith, James L. Tanner, Robert H. Thach.
 Following is a full text of the paper prepared and read by MT. Kettig on Mu- nicipal Government:
 The problems connected with Munactpal Government will be with us forvver. As long as people congregate in certain fer tile or favorable spots. building up large cities, the question of city government will, and should, be an important one to every citizen. The protection of life, lib- erty and property. the questions of good schools, police and fire protection, are aR matters that vitally affect the welfare of every man, woman and child in the city. believe, therefore, that this clus can not spend it's time more profitably than
  question connected with good Municipal Government.
 The scope, however, of this discussion Is so vast, and the questions so com plicated and numerous, that l will only attempt to discuss few of them here. will, therefore, briefly outline what I think would be a successful city govern ment In order to consider the different divisions of city government separately, ha. divided them follows:
 1-The executive department
 2-Collection of taxes.
 3-Disbursement of funds. 4-Pubhca franchises.
 5-General government.
 Executive Department.
 The Mayor should be the chief execu- tive of the city in deeds, as well as name He should have the veto power. which could be passed over him only by two- thirds vote of the Aldermen. The Mayor should be chairman of the police commits sion, chairman of the board of education, and, in fact the executive head of all de- partments of the city. The chief of police and all other city officers should report directly to the Mayor. The Mayor should see that all the laws are executed. and should be held responsible directly to the people for all his public aots. The main responsibility for the proper execution of
 
 He should be paid salary sufficient to enable him to give his entire time and at tention to the city's business.
 The centralization of power ana re- sponsibility Is, I believe. the most im- portant step toward good city govern ment Divided authority can not pro duce and has never produced, satNSac- tory results. The mayor should have un- limited authority In all executive mat ters He should have authority to ap- point or remove all subordinates The division of authority leads to the creation of useless offices, extravant expenditures and a general shirking of labor and re- sponsibility.
 The aldermen should be elected by the entire city, instead of by wards as at present. Each alderman will then repre- sent the entire city, instead of his partic- ular ward.
 The Collection of Taxes.
 The power of taxation is one of the highest privileges that in this country Fcan be bestowed upon any particular in- dividuals representing the government It is the most important function or republican form of government. It has been commonly said of our American cities that the officers in control always sfnd a. way of spending all or more than the city's income. If there Is ever sur plus in any of our municipal govern ments I have failed to find a record Of 1t. The history of nearly all of them is one record of deficits. I have always believed that the taxing power given to munich palities should clearly specify the pur- pose for which each tax is intended. For instance: A tax should be levied for schools; a certain per cent. for police. fire protection, etc. A budget should be carefully prepared, and each fund should be kept separately. The law should pro- do haa ha f11iG priation or mixing up of these different funds.
 One of the most dangerous forms of tax ation is the issuance of long time bonds, and thereby pledging the entire revenues of the city for their future payment. do not believe that general improvement bonds should ever be issued by any city, except by direct vote of the people. The pledeinG of the city's revenue for thirty years hence in the forms of bonds Is tax ation of the most dangerous and unfair kind It is dangerous. because 1t puts in the hands of the city government a large amount of money at one time that Is too easily raised by borrowing, and that at once becomes menace to economy. It is unfair, because 1t taxes the future gener- ations for debts for which they may not receive any benefits. If bonds are to be issued at all the act authorizing them should provide an ample sinking fund for their redemption at maturity.
 The Disbursement of Revenues.
 This privilege of the city fathers cannot be too closely guarded by the most rigid laws. The root of extravagance is not generally in the executive branch of the city government, but is more often found in the legislative department. How to hold down the city's expenses in the line of economy Is one of the greatest problems. The average Alderman Is desirous of pleasing his constituents. He wants to get all the appropriations he can; but even if he desires to exericise economy, the pressure on him to vote appropriations is