The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1904-10-25

sential features the same as the muni-
cipal government which we have today.
Alfred not only gave to London its
form of municipal government, but he
reformed the army and re-organized
the navy and thus laid the founda-
tions for that maritime supremacy
which Great Britain has enjoyed al
most without interruption from his
reign to the present time. In addition
to this he did for his country what
Justinian and Trebonian did for Rome
he codifed the laws of England. He
was a warrior and statesman, O
scholar, a publicist, and more than all
these he was a benefactor not only of
his own age but of ali the succeeding
centuries. One of the most discrimin-
ating of English historians in writing
of Alfred the Great used this Ian
guage: "He was saint without su-
perstition, a scholar without ostenta .
ton, a warrior whose hands were not
stained by cruelty, prince who was
never cast down by adversely, and new
er raised up to insolence in the day
of triumph" These noble words of
eulogy are the more noteworthy be-
cause the character and the achieve
ments of Alfred seemed to merit them.
The cities of Ohio are governed un-
der a body of comprehensive legisla-
ton which is commonly called the
new municipal code. This code was
the child of necessity. much confu-
sion and conflict had crept into the
laws relating to municipal corporations
in this state. and in addition to this a
large number of special laws had been
infused into this body Of legislation,
some of which the Supreme Court had
declared unconstitutional. A crisis in
municipal affairs was confronting the
people of Ohio, and it looked as though
the cities of the state would be without
municipal government unless the situa-
tion were relieved by prompt remedial
legislation. In this exigency Governor
Nash called the legislature of the state
in special or extraordinary session.
and the result was the new municipal
code. shall not stop~to comment upon
either the merits or the demerits of
this legislation, but think can with
propriety say that il has simplfied and
unified the laws relating to municipal
corporations in this state. No one
claims that it is piece of perfect leg
islation. You and | know that
who e'er thinks a.perfect work to see,
Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor e'er
can be.
In every work regard the authors end,
Since none can compass more than they
intend.
And if the means be just, the conduct
true,
Then applause in spite of trivial faults
is due
It would be strange thing IL ex-
perience did not develop that the code
needed amendments and repeal, change
and correction. My suggestion is this,
that the municipal code should be
given fair trial, and when experience
has developed what changes are neces
sary the people of Ohio with patriotic
unanimity should see that it is to
W SlNt lo Nlt DNol lOoAl-
BILE form of municipal government for
the cities of the state.
The late John Fiske, in commenting
upon the federal constitution said
The American constitution Is the fin
est specimen of constructive states
manship which the world has ever
seen" The greatest of modern British
statesmen in treating on the same sub
ject use very similar language saying
THE American constitution is the most
wonderful work ever struck off at a
given time by the brain and purpose
of man." .r'
Under this wonderful charter of lib
erty we have enjoyed a strong, just
and beneficent government for more
than one hundred years; so that |
think 1t may be fairly said that the
American people have solved the prob
lem of state government hitherto. And
| think it may also fairly be said that
the American people have solved the
problem of state government hitherto. If
the plan of representative government
it has been in the municipal govern
ments of the country. The reason for
this is very evident. The plan of rep
resentative government is predicated
upon the theory that the principal will
take enough interest in his business
to appoint a good agent; that the cit
izen will take enough interest in local
politics to elect good representatives.
The remedy fop these evils in local
government is the cultivation of mo-
raj sentiment, civic conscience and
a public opinion, which will induce the
most worthy men'to become candidates
for Office and then elect them. In other
words it is VITAL wholesome personal
interest upon the part of the electorate
In local politics. YOU may put the fin
est tools into the hands of novice
but he will not be able to turn out good
work. You may put the finest watch
ko, I., IxxQ ,.,I...