The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-20

/ II /
p. Morgan recital, William
wnll whiddlt.
1870 r. Nf.-Nrllc. Lonbct's Loop
of Death, Wnrpnth.
| 2. M.-Rcview of all the troops
by Governor Folk and official pnrty.
r. M.-Fircworks. Lee Parade.
Death, wnrpnth.
{ NORFOLK. VA. September 1e.-Inl
discussing municipal government by
commission VS.. Mayor and Council to-
day. the speakers at the second ses-
sion q the eleventh annual a,a e 81 zen
inequalities, scored greed and graft In
city government. municipal Govern
ment by Commission VS.. Mayor and
Council was the general theme to
which the day was almost entirely
given up in discussion.
The dominant sentiment of the con-
vention was that men and not forms
of government are most to be desired
for successful and progressive mu-
nicipal government. The attendance
larger than that of yesterday. there
being between 400 and 500 present.
Mayor j. Barry Mahool, of Baltt-
more, led in the denunciation of cor
rupt municipal politics. declaring that
the cause was not any particular form
of government, but men actuated by
selfishness and greed. willing and hay
ing an opportunity to rob the public
under form Of government
Rear-Admiral T. E. Chadwick, U. s.
N. on the same subject, declared that
the need was character. and that
backwardness in city administration IS
due to a want OF backbone and intel
ligence.
The Form Not All.
The address of Mayor Mahool was
one Of the features of the DAY. ne
Lately public attention has been TO-
cused upon form of government
which in most cases where II has been
tried has met with undouhtcd success.
Whether that success has been due TO
the form adopted or to the conditions
that surrounded its adoption is one that
is worthy of serious thought and con-
sideraton."
After discussing the result Of the
Galveston experiment., and picturing
the situationEin Tennessee, the Balti-
more executive said.
nGa.,veston, Houston. Memphis. Los An
seles have all started the experiment and
afte' II has stood the test OF time 1t may be
that we will find in 1t the panacea for all
inc Ills OF municipal life. The all-impor-
TAM question of the day Is: Are the al
legged failures of municipal government due,
after all, to their form?
One thing is certain: The form of a
government. as between commission and
the mixed plan, cannot change human ma
ture The same propensitfes. which have
oceasloned so much scandal In the country's
municipal history. would have existed and
would have been as vigorous and aggressive
any other form. Had those propensties
manifested themselves under a government
by commission, had they beat against that
form with the same fierce and persistent
ny RI tgft In = ufo
of the other forms of government. would
the net results have been better?
Under the present Baltimore city charter.
with It's Sfayor and double legislative body,
further checked up by it's board of esti-
mates and its board of awards. and still
further checked up by the division of the
executive head into. independent depart-
ments 1t is a hundred fold more difficult
to abuse the public interests than 1t would
be under the best system of commissions.
Effect OF Greed and Graft.
Greed and graft, which have frequently
driven their poisonous fangs into the vitals
of more than ono municipal government. are
no; affected one way or the other by the
form of said governments. Corrupt policies.
which have frequently befouled more than one
municipality. are not the result OF any parti-
cular kind Of government! Bad men. when
mpelled by the Impulses OF constituencies
selfshness. will rob and pilfer the public UNI
der any form of government.
THE history of the world shows that gov
elEI0ent, unuet every IOTIU, sbWlISs DdCtk
and forth like a pendulum. AT one time It
Cir cles upward to n high level OF excellence
and announcement: at another 1t drops
back to the low depths of inenicicncy and
vice,
THE change to commissions has been SUI
perinduced by an exasperated public senti-
ment. which sentiment has not only evolved
change in form, but has likewise COM
PEELED a change In men,. The change In
men, more than the change IN form, has
been the secret of ultimate success.
"An autocratic monarchy can produce
splendid results II the prince be an angel
But woe to the people II that prince be
ocvil!
Government by commission will. prove
satisfactory so long as the entire personne
OF the commission is clean and patriotic
Any other form under like conditions would
be equally as satisfactory. An aroused pub
lie conscience and the partlclpatloh IN the
public affairs Of all the citizens VII give
OF government Is adopted. whereas, indit
ference and lack of attention to the affairs
OF Your city nr State will bring inevitable
ruin and degradation."
Indorsea Newport Plan.
Rear Admiral Chadwick, Unitet
a asss asae q tie ipeN NeWport is sys
| TEN Of municipal government ana als{
devoted a portion Of his ADDRESS 70
comparison of American ana luropeal
forms of city administration, and dc
1
much to learn III thisBrespect, lie said
"The system adopted In Newport, r. !,
and very successful thus farBi IT'S opera ton
| Is In "a great degree a return TO popular gov
eminent, It IL when analyzed, q system Q
u small body of administrators. Sin III all
who are completely responsible for the man
merlin which administration Is carried on
But all power OF tnxstion. approp Ion 2
fluids, appointment TO- the more lmport az
cts offices is insthe hands OF y body OF la1
which we call the reDressntatl,v,s. co ha
In principle the system lis not unlike that :,
where there !, noo in eSf bS N
| President and subject to Congress, .lher
no analogy whasver b.twsen 1as We IN
| WASHINGTON commission has not plenar
powers any more than has the board o. a.
y "rhe latter as we'll as Washington ls tn
i Galveston or the Dos Moln system P'us
large popular supervlsln POO . A, ~,
Admiral Chadwick .deciarea-.I. s--..s
lis ms. IinHSi i6TG;S