The St. Louis Republic., 1904-12-08
u. BETTER HOUSE.

While the present House of Delegates is better in
ALL or nearly ALL respects than any of its predeces
sors in many years, it is not good as it ought to
be. At times it has done most commerdable work.
almost rising the City Councils standard, and it
has made consistent record in passing public i'm
provement measures; yet it occasionally has
dropped to the former level and has dallied with
important matters.
The House ought 10 be as satisfactory as the
Council. There is defensibe reason why Il ma
jority in the House should not represent the better
element of citizenship. The Councilmen are elected
at large: the Delegates from the wards. The elec-
tion of competent, trustworthy Delegate from Il
ward is easy when voters register their decision
in accordance with sincere promptings, the eec-
ton of a Councilman from the city. The character
of the House is expressive of the sentiment in Il
ward that of the Council is indicative of public
opinion throughout the city.
Against the present House there several seri-
complaints Among them is the defeat of
garbage-reduction legislation which compelled the
administration 10 act independently in doing away
with the old and Objectionable system. The House
did assist in establishing municipal collecting and
hauling system, which gratifying legislation;
but, in opposing the garbage reduction bill, ii an
tagOnized public opinion. Another. disappointing
act was the amendment Of the building-code reform
bill. Another was the defeat Of. the bill authorizing
the submission of bond issue proposition 70 the
voters. About this proposition 1t be said that
the House had no right to deny the voters op-
portunity to signify their wishes to public i'm
provements. Probably the House encouraged
by the gangruled Globe. But, unluestionably the
voters are entitled to have this opportunity.
Citizens of the different wards should take action
at very early date toward inducing trustworthy
men to run for the House of Delegates and in ar
ranging to give such candidates strong support.
The present House is a great improvement its
predecessors: it marks advance in giving character
to the local legislature: it has done quite great
deal of commendable work. But it is as good o.
reliable the majority of the voters would have
it. The next civic effort should be to elect even a
better House
At the last election there a chance TO elect a
few additional good Unfortunately. however.
the morning organ of the Republican machine ad-
vocated the cause of members of the Ziegenhen na-
chine who nominees in Republican wards.
The Star was self-respecting enough although it did
not fight these nominees not to support them There
always will be prospect of gang-taint in St Louis
long the Republican organs are timd. For
instance. none of them criticised the appointment
made very lately by the new Republican Coroner.
The battle for reform ought 10 be carried into
the ware. next spring. Good mcn will be elected
to the House from every ward If the good ctizers
Will work to have good men rc'nlnated and Then
work to elect good men, Objectionable men VIII
because their friends work hard. Good men de-
cline to run because they believe that they will
not be supported ZealOusly. Let's see what we can
do this spring toward improving the House.