The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-11
The MUNICIPAL PROBLEM

- The MUNICIPAL PROBLEM
There is one proposition upon which
most Of our business men probably are
agreed. The city OF Minneapolis should
pay its mayor $4,000 a year, and it
should take pains to get $4,000 man. :
The salary at present is $4,000. That
means that any man who is at all qualified
for the position must make a considerable
sacrifice in order to hold the Office. There
is no reason why any man should make
that sacrifice except, perhaps, the reason
of public spirit. A degree of public spirit
which leads to such a sacrifice is GER
tainly commendable and is to some extent,
perhaps, appreciated.
The fact remains that the people have
no right to expect any qualified man to
make the sacrifice. AS a result we are
apt to have in that position men to whom
the salary is attractive, and, as a natural
consequence, men who are poorly qualified
for the important position. A $4,000 man
AN honest and capable man-could save
this city every year, at moderate esti-
mate, twenty five times his $4,000 sal
ary, and secure for the city very much
tion than we get now. t.
But, of course, to be able to do these
things the mayor of Minneapolis should be
something more than a chief of police,
and, as to the other departments, more
than a mere f1gurehead. He should be
Ia- AL
sponsible for the exercise, Of that ,inffu-s
tence s& to all depeEtmeIts of the citEss
affairs. That means a new charter. And,
yet it Is impossible to discover that any
interest is taken in the subject of a new:
charter, or any steps calculated to i'm
prove the municipal service.
Another thing to be considered is that
as citizens of Minneapolis and members
Of a great business corporation, we per-
nit ourselves with respect to its inter
ests to be divided into two great camps
along political lines, lines which have
no more to do with the successful conduct
of corporation like city, or should have
no more to do with it, than with the
management of bank or the running of
q blacksmith shop. --'.%
These reflections, Of course, suggest
nothing new. They ares not offered with
that idea, but solely in the hope that
another reminder of them may help to
crystalize sentiment in this community
in the direction Of more common sense
method of managing municipal concerns.
The field of politics is reasonably we'll
filled to-day with candidates for the Of
fee of mayor, and yet, with all due re-
spect to the gentlemen whose names are
prominent in that connection, we seem to
be making no progress toward the selec-
tion of the kind of men whom we ought
to have in the Office of mayor of Mime
apolis. 8" = e. -
The people of Minneapolis cannot: be
fairly accused of greater Indifference to
the best interests of the city than are the
people of other similar communities, But
in view of the prospects which our city
enjoys and the hope that we entertain as
to it's prosperity and growth, this prev
alent neglect of It's interests as repre-.
sented In the choice OF it's chief executive
and IN the management .OI us .uuulClpai
affairs, is deplorable in the highest de-
gree. '.i Z. - y. b,
The chief form Of expression of interest
in municipal affairs, Is that of complaint
with regard to the burden of taxation and
the limited return received for the money
invested each year insthe form of taxes
Unquestionably the same amount now col
1ected in the form of taxes, If wisely and
intelligently expended, and honestly
would give us all that we get now for oul
money, and more, too. =.
AS to the remedy for this state o.
affairs. There seems to be none exeep,
an aroused and vigilant and vigorous pub.
lie sentiment which shall find expression
and fruition n more active and intelligen
participation in municipal affairs by ths
great body of busy men who hitherto hay,
seemed to be content to submit to th
waste of public money due to fEcompeten
administration of public affairs, rathe
than to give sufficient time and attention
to these matters to correct the evils o
which every one complains.