The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-03-15
FRIDAY. MARCH Is. 1901.
EDUCATION OF MUNICIPAL OFF,
GERS.

1t would be rank heresy for an Ameri-
can citizen to assert that self-govern-
ment as it is practiced in the United
States Is a failure. We have become so
used to hearing our own praise of our
own institutions that a criticism, how
ever truthful falls upon our ear like a
discord in a symphony. Nevertheless,
this admirable system, originated by the
fathers and preserved through more than
a century. has grievous faults. While
perhaps, it is not more corrupt than the
average bureaucracy it is much more
extravagant by reason of the incompe-
tence of its elected officers.
In all branches of business, save office
holding, man must possess some quail
fications to insure success. Herein lies
the weakness of our democratic form
of government. This weakness is felt,
not so much in national and state gov
ernments as it is in the management Of
our municipal affairs. A municipality is
corporation and in many cases the in
terests at stake are momentous In cities
like New York, Philadelphia or Chicago
The annual expenditures reach into the
millions. In cities like St. Paul or small
or the interests. while not so great, are
ot equal Importance to the inhabitants
Who manages these vast corporations?
Any one who can secure votes enough
to become mayor or to gain seat in the
council. When a man comes up for the
office Of mayor, or alderman, the question
is not lis he competent: but "can we
elect him?"
In every corporate enterprise the men
who assume the active mana cement are
carefully selected for their ability in that
particular line A banker is not put at
the head of vast railroad system;
steamboat captain is not put in charge
of bank. When a man makes a marked
success in the management of one rail-
road corporation, he is likely to be called
to a more responsible position at the head
of a larger system. Merit alone is a
recommendation in the business world.
In this matter of municipal government
We can learn much from cur German
neighbors. Although Germany is ruled bv
a kaiser who thinks he has divine au-
thority, in which haHucination we take
no stock at all, its municipalities are
managed in a way that we might we'll
emulate
Aldermen there are chosen by the peo-
pie and act as directors of the municipal
corporation. These directors meet and
elect a mayor-a man who has made a
reputation in that capacity or one who
has ambitions in the line of municipal
management. The mayor is chosen just
es our public school superintendent are
chosen, for their ability demonstrated in
ether fields. When a mayor makes a
reputation by a thorough and economical
administration of one city, he is sure to
receive a call to a larger city with an in
crease of salary. In fact the German
municipality is run on the very same
plans that obtain in the management of
private corporations. The public stock
holders are represented by the direeto, 8
who in turn hold the mayor responsible
for his administration.
The mayor Of a German city has the
power to select his cabinet, the heads of
the various departments. The result is
what one might expect-well governed
cities. Cities whose public business is
conducted on a business basis. Politics
cut no figure and there are no sinecures
Men are given employment, not because
they need it, but because they can do the
work and do it well.
If our average city could be run for
five years as a railroad corporation is
run, the improvement would surpass our
fondest anticipations