The sun., 1901-11-25
THE QUALITY OF GOVERNMENT

1t is true saying. even ii it is some
what hackneyed, to say that govern |
ment never rises higher than the char
acter Of the people Of which it is com
posed" The division of government We
have in mind is mugicipal government,
and we find the trite saying which we
have quoted in the speeches. upon this
topic. made at the Church Club dinner.
1t is well that this and kindred topics
should be discussed before such assem-
blages as compose the membership and
guests nf the Church Club, mt its social
reunions. 1t must be confessed that the
gentlemen from among whom the speak
erS of such occasions are chosen have
both the ability and the opportunity for
knowledge and fair Judgment upon this
important topic. For this reason If for
no other what these speakers say should
attract careful reading, and at least at
tempted digestion and assimilation of the
mental food they offer. In that spirit we
have given attentive reading 10 the re-
ported speeches. Candor compels the
confession that We found nothing remark
able either as to novelty or apparent
practical value. We say this with an in
tent that is entirely respectful. even if
it should he esteemed inopportune, and
critical beyond the province of news
paper relative TO such matter as the
discussion at Church Club dinner-a
discussion that approaches 50 nearly 10
the nature of a private conversation at
social function. In this case this semi
private character Of the discussion is
very apparent. The chosen speakers
We're discussing the topic: The Church
man in the Municipality" for churchmen
and their guests. 1t is only the pos
sibe public application of what was said
that is open for discussion and criticism
Municipal government. MS one Of the
speakers remarked, is the most difficult
of adjustment, where the principles of
popular government are to be applied. 1t
does not require very profound knowl-
edge If either human nature or the
science If government to recognize ana
appreciate thar fact. A government
chSsen by the people from among the
people. must necessarily partake of the
character Of the people. The frailties aS
well as the virtues-their weaknesses as
much aS their strength-mu>t appear in
any representation Of the people which
they have chosen to lie their government.
The high civic ideal must he, at least will
be. modified by the judgment of The
least intelligent, the preiudices of the
preiudiced and the seltiShncss Of the per-
sonally ambitious. rs we'll as by the dis
honesty alike Of the intelligent ana min.
teligcnt. No right understanding Of the
difficulties Attending the development ot
model municipal government, can Ii,
had if the facts here stated are ignored
1t is no use 10 deny the truth about these
things. and particularly is it useless L
deny that the common and the ruling
place there is a prevalent idea that any
and MI government is at onmitv with
and preyng upon the MASSES of the pee
pie; the burdens imposed are not nc
cepted az righteous impostions of duty
but as bultlensome impo>itions to be
avoided and shirked whenever oppprtu
nifty offers. Eminent citizens have Ueer
known to take advantage Of errors iii as
seSsmcntS. and in the making ont Of taS
bills 70 avoid the payment Of what wa
justly, if not legally due from them
the public treasury; and how few of ii,
citizens II any city, willingly pay ID.
taxes as.essrd against them: II il from
among the people who 10 this, and who
avoiding duty throw burdens upon other,
thar tbs parties who constitute the GOV
ernmrnt are chosen. Indeed the duty
and privilege ii choosing Il government
rests upon ana lies III the masses whcr,
civic ideals urc recognized to lie Of TIL
average quality and, confessedly. canno
rise higher than that limit. The etliica
quality Of that constituency must be III
ethical quality Of the government.
it were otherwise it would not he a r-u
resentatye of the people. Our friand
who discuss the questions Of municipa
government. who lament the faults hi \
apparently forget that the government Z
American municipalities is not iutputr
Or expected to be a government OF III
people by the best people, but the L,s
government that can lie gotten ont Of III
mass " the people by popular choice d
consent Under these circumstances tn
spoiiltg 0f CIVIC ideals hy the i=nuranc
the prejudice the dishonesty that is III
pdirntly inscparablr from human cond
tionS, may hr unpleasant t. contcmput,
ana worse to realize. hit il Is incvitabl,
The al>pleaSulrS. the losses, thr sens
of shame ana injury that accrue rrul
such conditions as We have Indicated an
which we think will he recognized h
fairly descriptive, are the price whic
Americans must pay for the mantenanc
Of Iii" principle Of popular goyernmen
and particularly for its maintenance i
municipalities The municipality il In
mess concern with il score or more
lines running out into the business lii
of the community and with every one
these touching the sources Of the cri
of which complaint is continually mad
The disposition that prompts the avoi,
ancp of tax paying. also prompts til