Putnam patriot., 1909-11-26
The Time and Opportunity Faces our City
For Improvement in Government.

The selection of candidates for the | city government is an important duty
 which needs care. The candidates for Couneilmen have already been chosen,
 mainly, if not all, renominations-
 their names will be found reported
 elsewhere That of Mayor and other city officers are yet to be named. The
 choice of . Mayor is not a matter of politics, but of getting the most desir- able service for the city. But Putnam cannot command the best service, ex. cept our citizens are willing to give . good deal of their valuable time to at- tend to the affairs of the city gratui-
 tously, with perhaps the gift of sharp, unjust criticism. There are but few in the city who can be found to make the
 sacrifice. Some, who have the time
 to devote to such service may be found
 who are willing to accept the responsi-
 ble duties because they must be attend ed to, pay or no pay. Our retiring
 Mayor could not afford to do this for
 more than one term-and we opine his
 predecessors felt in the same way.
 What do our citizens-who expect
 to find some of their fellow citizens
 who will assume the responsibilities and perform all the varied duties of Mayor, with faithful care and without mpensation-imagine can be the req son some men can be found who are
 willing to accept the office of Mayorand fulfill all it's eXacting duties without compensation? The honor of filling such a high office may be a sufficient satisfaction to some for one term. but even then they will always feel they did large amount of service gratui- tously.
 We speak of this matter at this time that 1t may receive the consideration Of our thinking business men that it's importance demands, that they may seek how the condition of things may be improved. Candidates might be promised some future position that has compensation. But that would be doubtful makeshift.
 It would be better, we think, to start movement, with the election Of the coming Mayor, to bring about radical change in the administration Of our city affairs, to be conducted on true business principles, as they are not at present nor ever have been. A move- ment is being agitated in every mn- nicipality throughout the length and breadth of the land--Boston, the me tropoIis of New England, having just adopted the system by the aid of its ablest and most conservative citizens. It is an example that smaller cities, like ours, can safely copy. One special advantage il has over our old methods. is, that the Mayor, or other executive officer, who fails ill any way, after proper test, 10 give satisfaction in the execution of his duties, can be dis placed and more suitable person cho- sen, without having to wait to com plete any long term for which he, or other executive, has been chosen. That feature alone is spur to diligence and faithfulness that must work wonders to the advantage Of taxpayers and the benefit of the city.
 cOur city should put itself on record as progressive city in everything in regard to it's character and growth, on safe established lines of improvement. The time is propitieus. The opportu- nitty should not be slighted. It ought to be done without regard to partisan lines, by declaration of the citizens, that they are ready to accept any sys- tenn of municipal government that is proved, by experience, to be superior to the present order of things. Then select a man for Mayor pledged to do his best to bring about the proposed change demanded-his heart being in sympathy with the proposed change.