The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-11-05
MUNICIPAL, GOVERNMENT.

The cities Of the United States have
examples Of successful business men
who starting out with comparatively
no capital whatever, but having a fund
Of practical business acumen. have in
a few years built up wonderful CONNER
clal institutions. This resul; has 6een
accomplished by the application OF prac-
teal business principles in the conduct
Of these enterprises. Suboriinates have
been chosen solely with a view Of bring
ing to their aid those who have had
PRACTICAL training for the duties that
wouli devolve upon them. and who
have. by close application. mastered
every detail os that particular branch
o. trade. Experience and practical
ability alone have been considered in
choosing their employees. Finding the
right man his services have been
retained year after year, regardless Of
his political or religious opinions,
Why should not the same common
sense, practical. business rule be fol-
lowed by the citizens Of municipalities
in choosing the men who are to have
the management OF their municipal az
fairs? The objection always Offered TO
this suggestion is that It would tend to
the creation Of an ofice-holdlng class
This may be admitted for the sake Of
argument. yet the evil effects, II any
resulting therefrom would be infniies-
.mal as compared to the benefits that
would accrue in the. way Of honest and
economical administration OF the az
fairs Of our municipalities.
The government Of municipalities is
the most important branch 0f political
science. In EurOpeon countries this [
branch Of political economy has been
more nearly reduced to a science than
il has in this country. In Germany
man who serves a small city as mayor
is sometimes called to the same office
in a much larger city. This IS not so
.nfreouent an occurance either. And .
why not? The man who has mastered F.
the problems OF city administration
and possesses executive ability OF
high order should never lack employ /
nent in his chosen field OF labor But
in this country the cry is to turn him
out and give another a chance. This .
other man may be good at his trade or
profession, and be absolutely ignorant /
about matters Of city government Fit
ness an dexperience are too lightly con- I.
sidereI. 1t is because Of this that we .
hear so much about the dishonest and .
Impractical administration Of the affairs
Of our large municipalities AMI which |
render such movements as the anti
Tammany crusade in New York imper- /
ative.
There are men who make a study and /
a business Of municipal government. /
Such a man in this country is Mr.. Rich
ard Croker. He knows az much about |
the government Of New York as any /
other man. II not IS much as any other
ten men. knowledge Is power. The |
only trouble in the case Of Mr.. Croker |
and other students Of political science
OF his type, is that they employ their
knowledge and power to low and base,
instead Of to high and noble purposes.
They are in it for what they can get out
Of it. They make a business Of It and
master every detail, in order 70 play
the game TO the best advantage.
Apply the same rule to the selection
Of men for the administration Of public |
affairs that is followed by the practical
and successful business man in the on
duct Of his private affairs and the re-
suit will be the disappearance Of such
bosses as Croker and such organ.za-