The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-01-02
MAYORS AND MANAGERS.

Acting Mayor Jones has been long
enough at the head Of municipal
affairs in Minneapolis to possess con-
siderable knowledge of what q man in
that position is forced to undergo. To
a Minneapolis Journal reporter he dis
cusses what, in his opinion. should be
done in the way of governing Ameri-
can cities. He feels that sooner or
later the people must take up the
question of city government and dis
cuss it with view of bringing about
changes that will be beneficial to the
people. A mayor should be manager.
an expert in the management OF NUM-
cipaI affairs. A city is like unto
large corporation and like the latter it
must have at its head man of su-
perior business and executive ability
who should not be hampered in the
discharge of his duty. While the
proposition advanced by Mr.. Jones is
not a new one, yet it is entitled to
consideration. The question of city
government is one that has attracted
the attention of thinking men for
some years past. They have recognized
that municipalities have not been
governed to the advantage of the tax
payers. This question is not one that
confines its discussion to the larger
cities. Smaller towns have experienced
the banefuI effects of putting men into
Office who were not capable of looking
after the peoples welfare. Men who
have had no regard for the interests of
those who pay the bills occupied the
executive chair they were wholly in
capable of meeting the responsibilities
placed upon their shoulders, and
throuhgout their terms of Office COM
mitted acts that would have been
frowned upon by themselves if sub
ordinates in their private employ had
attempted to carry them out. Other
men with honest motives, but too
weak to enforce them, have been
elected to the executive chair. They
meant to do right, but failed in their
purpose because they lacked courage,
Those men allowed themselves to be-
come the tools of inscriptions per-
sons whose only aim in life is self
acknowledgements There is another class
of men who believe in that false idea
that an oficeholder should be a
"good fellow" The larger majority
of such men generally prove to be
dangerous quantity in any commun-
ity. They are too good by far and the
result is they make bad officials.
And yet il is impossible to find an
ideal man in any city for the position
of mayor. This cannot be attained
under present conditions and on the
other hand there have been executives
who filled the requirements to the
great satisfaction of the people. Ali
men are not corrupt by any manner
of means Clean administrations have
been produced under unfavorable cir
cumstances, and at times, too, when
the public has not given that support
to the mayor when he was entitled to
1t. The officers who make an honest
endeavor to fulfill the duties imposed
upon him. without fear or favor, IS
certainly entitled to the plaudits of
the people, and that, too, without a
sem bIance of hero worshiping. An
honest and courageous official, not
tied up with red.tape, could perform
his duties in manner that would re-
suit in great benefit to his city. But
dishonest man, clothed with the
same power. could bring havoc to a
well-organized community. Corpora
tions are in position to rid them
selves of the incompetent officials but
communities are not always so fortu-
nate in this regard.