The sun., 1901-11-25

pay? And who does not know that when
contracts are given. constant watchful-
ness is necessary to prevent the shirking
OF some obligation as to quantity and
quality Of the material, and of the work,
in FILLING these contracts? Is this not the
fruit of the idea that government is at
enmity with the people. that taxation is
an imposition to be resented and avoided. /
Another thing. Is it not true that the i'll
'reasing volume of business-civic cases
in the courts prove that these charac-
teriStics permeate the whole fabric of
human Intercourse? And are not these
things the sources OF the defects Of
municipal administration Not very long
age a candidate for office. who would
doubtless be endorsed by the business
men of this community, said in the hear
ing Of the writer: "Who - - ex-
poets men TO be honest in office? | want
this place for the money there is in it,
Knowing these things it is not diff
cult 10 understand the sources of the de-
fects Of the municipal government.
What are the remedies? Candor. We
think will force any serious thinker
about such subjects to confess that there
is. and can be no remedy that will sud
| denly and effectively cure the Ills Of the
municipal body polite. Systems Of ad-
ministration may check the evil ami pro
n f.itp Httt hnY - All
asting question in this discussion how
ever. was raised by the speakers at the
nurch Club dinner. in raising the aues-
| tion Of the part Of the churchmen in the
municipality. With that particular type
of citizen we have nothing TO do III this
| discussion. He represents 4 type more
/ numerous than is included under his
/ title Of churchman. He is a type of
that large body Of intelligent. moral.
| patriotic and powerful citizens upon
whom. by reason Of these admirable en-
,.owmentS. rests the duty Of rescuing the
municipality from the slough into whIri
| it appears to have fallen. They cannot
io it, however by platitndinous orations:
| cannot de il by hiding the facts thar we
have here noted as forming the source
of the municipal evil, behind Il mask Of
ifcality-Hot by ignoring these facts and
per>uading themselves ana others, that
these conditions do not exist. Getting
back TO first principles ana recalling the
trite saying by which we introduced this
article, the reformer must realize that
tle converse Of that statement. like that
nf some mathematical problems, is as
4 true as is the statement. II the quality
Of the government can be no higher
Than the character Of the people of whom
II is composed. is ii not also true that
the government represents the character
of the people out Of which, ana hy whom
il came! And if that he true is III,
government 50 formed not the best OF
which that people is capable, if the GOV
elnmcnt is 10 lie government of the
people, for the people and by the people
we do not apprehend that the people 81
: tins country are about to abandon pop
ular government because Of their railur,
; g develop an ideal municipal govern
i ncnt. Not that But when the intclli
gohce, the morality and the patriotism .
the country recognizes itself to be a par
"i common and general citizenship. tL
privileges of which are priceless, ana th
BURDENS of which should w willinrlt
borne. gives itself TO the public seryic
Witil 4 self abrogation which. il ii doe
irt disarm opposition. will at least bruy
is assaults ana conquer it. In sayin
this we are not thinking Of the proresse
aLd penalties Of the law. We are think
ih- Of thai constant manifestation .
high civic purpose that serves in ordp
IN command: Let him thar would Il
: greatest among you be the servant i
h> brethren Is that high ideality? |
ought not 70 be too high for churchmpl
: II expresses a truth aS applicable tucivic
: ls elsewhere. The masterful men i
American history have been those VII
! refusing TO he masters. choose to lie tn
servants of the people.
i Is possible that the larger opportl
u mites for valuable and honorable, an
: pntfiotic public service, in this country
\ today is III the service Of munripalitie,
That there i room iii this field for a
the capacity. the devotion ANA the coul
I aGe # the lofttcst civic spirit, cannot Il
: doubted; hut the masters in this field
must not only be among the people, the
. must bc Of them. not driving but lrat
: iup