Bisbee daily review., 1905-05-27
THE CONCERN OF VOTERS.


 If American cities are to obtain and perpetuate business administration, how may or should they proceed? ? This is the idea which is brought into prominence again by the lighting trouble in Philadelphia. There must be a practical solution of the general civic problem. says the Republic. Git izens cannot and will not, in the pres ent nature of things, tolerate reg ular. periodical shifting from corrup- ton to reform and from reform back 10 corruption. It is possible to estab- hsh character in municipal admins tration as a permanent state, and the important work of the next few years is to do this
 Every large city in the United States has made noticeable progress during the last ten years, especially during the last five years. Not one exception comes to mind. This pro gress has not been limited to material improvement, to street building and visible betterment; it is shown in the better organic laws, in a higher class of officials, in more business-like ad- ministration, in the work and enthus- iasm of civic associations and in an in tenser interest on the part of the people in their own affairs.
 The matter of good government will be nearer solution the sooner munich palists and voters appreciate that the fight for integrity in public office and for efficient management will last as long as the eternal combat between right and wrong. Dishonest men, traitorous citizens, criminals, money chasers and conspirators will always have jealous eyes for what are called the emoluments of office and for the spells which they can pick up in the darkrooms of public departments. Good government is, fundamentally, question of social principle and of bus mess morals
 The means of perpetuating business administration are the same as the means of inaugurating reform. By reform is meant a revolution, change from bad to good, from dis erder to system. When reform is made permanent it is good govern ment. There is no need for reform as long as there is good government. But there is always an obligation to defend good government, to prevent Tetrogression and to strive toward higher administrative and personal ideals and standards.
 It is obvious that reform has been accomplished through the wrath of the voters over misrule and corrup- ton. The voters, shamed with munic- ipal degradation, have risen in their might and given their support to nominees worthy of confidence; ana these nominees, after their election, have realized good government and betterment This is the way reform is brought about. Is it not the way to make reform lasting?
 The conclusion, therefore, is that the respectable element of citizen ship must organize and remain organ ized. The associations which have compelled satisfactory nominations, which have urged public improve ments, which have advocated bene- ficial alterations to organic laws, and which have kept the best ideals be fore the citizens. must not disband when they have achieved the re- suits which they were organized to achieve They must continue in exis- tence and persist in their activity
 Good government derives it's qual- ity from the people. If they cannot be induced to participate in the primar- ies or elections, if they cannot be educated to manifest real interest in public affairs, there is no hope for the perpetuation of business administra- ton and for the realization of prac- tical ideals. All efforts ought to be concentrated upon molding public opinion and keeping it alive This is the solution of the general municipal problem.