The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-11
ALDERMAN SAYS
JOBS not EASY
PERRY sTARKWEATHER TALKS
no RETAILERS NAsso ISOLATION.
Ancient Legend that the Ward Machine
Is the Particular Protege of the AL
derman Is Denied and City Charter
Is Subject of Heartfelt Remarks by
Speaker.

Alderman Perry starkweather of the
fourth ward, in an address delivered
before the Minneapolis Retailers asso-
evening. made some interesting re
marks on 1.-THE Relation of the Cltl,
zen and the Alderman. He revealed |
some of the innermost secrets OF the
aldermanic breast and drew, an lntl-
mate picture of aldermanlc life. Among |
other things he said:
tThe records show that 45,400 men |
registered at the polls at the last cleo
ton. OF these, all of whom must have
been interested, whether they knew 1t
or not. in the, choice of a manager or
mayor for this, great city,, only 36,43s
expressed at the polls choice In the
matter. To be exact, the number was
36,45s, and s,942 did not take the
trouble. -.....-.s..
In the largest and richest ward in
the city, the ward in which the great
est amount of the business is conducted,
6,210 registered and out of these there
were only 1864 whose interest in choos-
ing an alderman was sufficient to III
duce them to make a pencil mark at
ter q name.
''Everybody's Business
"But with municipal affairs there is
daily confirmation of the truth OF the
adage, 'Everybody's business is no.
body's business Partly because he IS
busy about things which seem more
pressing, partly because he thinks there
is very little he can do, anyway, the
average Everybody lets slip from his
hands the reins that guide the advanc-
ing hosts. He forgets that there are
fingers eager and anxious to clutch and
hold the lines he so thoughtlessiy sur,
renders. Fingers that reach further
~ "A
portunity to turn to private gain that
which should be expended for public
good.
'The conduct Of the business of the
city means more, far more, to this class
than 1t does to the average every
body 1t means, first of all, hyei1
hood for themselves, then for their
relatives and friends, and soon = 1t
comes to mean the acquisition and ex-
ercise Of a certain amount Of local in
fuence and power, and by natural
sequence, it grows into that most fas-
cinating of games, the game of boss
ing ones fellows 1t furnishes not
it seems to give a zest that never tires.
= The Ward Machine.
Offence, the upgrowth Of the ward
machine at which we constantly rail,
both in public and in private, and
which we constantly aud willingly
nurse and foster, either by good-na,,
tured assistance or by wholesome and
wholesale neglect. Flouted at and de-
O. green bay tree, and when; its shade
is dense enough to- cast a! <blighting
shadow, VIC are surprised and v1rtuous-
ly indignant.
s'It is a polite fable to insist that
the ward machine is the partlcu II
Ir
seem almost an impertinence to dispute
so venerable and time-worn legend, but
the facts in the case are that tho il
be nurtured by some kindly city dac
and given pap and matted food Cane
drinks as well), during his ,paterna
reign. 1t is frequently left lusty IN
FAINT upon the doorstep of the ward and
10, it grows like Jonah 8 gourd, some
. times even faster, and with the BLOOD
of all the patriarchs in its veins ant
- the Eprophets' in It's pockets. it domin
ates as only a master can: With a I'm
contempt for any authority, it select
its own for a place in the council ant
the new city father finds that instea.
of shaping the destiny of matters pol
lite he is simply the man to turn tn
crank for the ward boss to sharper
his ak!
"In our own city the strongest Of a
the ward bosses, told me within tn
and elected every alderman save one
WHO had represented his ward in tn
common council for the past twelv
,yearsl
T. ~. The City Charter.
tfThat the limitations under whio
our local affairs must now be carrie
on, the queer patchwork that serves !
for guide, or so-called 'charter,' wi
not permit Of doing things, or havin
= them done, as we would like, is appa
ent to all. That we have outgrown an
" left way behind any semblance to
necessity for the crude. fashion in whic
the business of our city is at preser
conducted, no thinking man dispute
That we need, sorely need. systel
that shall keep all our thorofares unde
one responsible official, either the cit
engineer or some specially elected {
appointed office, no one doubts:
= gestions. with counsel and with SON
manifestation of the interest which yc
of necessity must feel. Don't confr
your official intercourse with him
requests for street crossing, tt
annulment of sidewalks ordered or
demand for an arc Hight
600 and give him a little light upc
some problems that agitate or. In yo1
opinion should agitate, the public min
n re YOU think of some plan, or methc
which will be an improvement upt
VI those now pursued, do as you wou
If it were your own business, for it
your business; go and talk it over wi
him. Maybe the suggestion is impra
ticable or impossible Of attainment,
my word for it he will be Just as 81;
to listen to you because it shows 70
interest in the subject. Don't fe
- that any suggestions you might off
will weary or bore the man who rep1
sents you in the common council. Don
be afraid that you will give him a tir
feeling. There is large class Of M
of quite different caliber than those
have the honor of meeting this ev
ming who attend to that, and any prop
sition that any Of you might like
submit would be as refreshing as
- would be welcome
YEARS CRIMINAL RECORD