The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-06-25
keokuk, Iowa ......... June IS, 1909.
REPUBLICAN TICKET.
Fo- Alderman Fourth Ward,
as H. T. HENDERSON.
For Alderman Sixth Ward,
JAMES R. ROBERTS.
VALUE OF BUSINESS METHODS.

JAMES R. ROBERTS.
-------------
VALUE OF BUSINESS METHODS
A notable superiority of the commits.
sion plan of city government over the
aldermanic system is that it substi.
tutes business methods for politics in
the conduct of municipal affairs and
thus makes possible the practice OF
economy in administration combined
with greater efficiency. This thought
was emphasized by Captain A. H.
Evans in a brief interview printed in
yesterdays Gate City. Among other
things, Captain Evans said:
Il favor the plan because it affords
splendid opportunity for applying
business methods in the administers
ton of public affairs. The constituent
cy of the commissioners being co-ex.
tensive with the city they are held ac-
countable for their acts as they affect
the city as a whole subject to recall
ii their acts are not satisfactory.
1T should eliminate politics from
the city governmental thing very
much to be desired
Captain Evans went on to say that
1T is no reflection on the business
qualifications OF our representatives.
under the ward system, to assert that
thirteen men selected from the BUSH
est of our citizens, (and they are the
men best qualified for service in the
council) cannot In justice to their per-
sonal affairs which claim their first
attention, render as efficient service to
the city as a whole, as three men can,
giving their full time and their person
al attention to the details of matters
pertaining to city affairs" The same
thought is expressed IN an editorial
article in the Clinton Herald, which is
publishing the sections of the commits
sion law seriatim with Illuminating
comment. In discussing this phase Of
the matter the Herald we'll says:
1T has long been recognized that
even with broad-minded, liberal and
able men elected to the council, the
best results have not been obtained
under the present system OF munici
pal government for the reason thai
few men elected to the council car
afford to give the amount of time tx
investigation requisite for a thorough
understanding OF all matters undel
consideration. Under the commission
plan salaries are paid that will war
rant good men to accept the Offices
and devote their time to the city
interests. or at least SO much of thei
time as may be necessary TO keep Il
close touch with everything.
1T is marvellous to learn how ea
tensiye the interests of municipalit
nay be II officials are elected and pal
for devoting their time to a thoroug
handling Of them. Men in bushes
life today know that success come
only through eternal vigilance an
constant pounding and hammerin,
The best results in municipal life ca
obtain only when the same bushes
methods are pursued in taking care {
the city's affairs.
Under the commission plan {
municipal government each electiy
officer has a particular and specif
duty to perform His duties are clea
ly and absolutely defined, and
there is any shortcomings anywhel
along the line the people know e
actly where to place the blame. I'll
official knows this, and IL he has
desire to continue III Office, or If
is prompted by the dictates of co
science that glories in performing h
whole duty toward the people WI
have entrusted him with the affairs
the municipality, he is not going
fall short. Being responsible to t
entire electorate, he is going to tai
into consideration the interests Of O.
and all. and he Is going to shape /
every action with view of doing {,
justice to one and all. He would be
fool to do otherwise and would
once invite the recall and his remoy
from Office"
Under the commission plan the ms
or and councilmen are assigned to p
ticular and specific duties and are e
powered to appoint the necessa
minor officers for the proper condt
of the city's business. The minor
ficers are apportioned to the seve
departments, the heads of which dir,
their policy and bring about concert
action. AS the Clinton paper quot
above points out, those making the
pointments knowing their responsib
ty to the entire electorate, and bel
responsible for the acts of the
pointeeS- are going to be careful Il
make no mistakes. Having no pol
cal debts of any kind to pay absolt
ly free and untrammeled, they are
position to make the appointme
on the broad ground of merit. T
means the application Of the most
proved business methods to the adm