Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1909-03-16
HIGH IDEALS AND PRACTICAL
RESULTS.

X HUH IDEALS AMI FftAC11CAA
RESULTS.
AS the Tribune has heretofore
said, the millennium in municipal
government must not be expected
under the commission system that
will be inaugurated' in Bismarck at
an election to be held some time
next month. But we may reasonably
expect an improvement in govern
mental affairs, of the provisions OF
the law are carried out-even at the
hands of the same men who have
been placed in charge Of the city's
affairs in the past. This is possible
and probable because the new system
is better. Under the commission
law all ward boundaries are wiped
out and the president and four COM
missioners are elected at large. Each
is under bonds. Each has charge of
a department and committees and
shifting of responsibility are done
away. with. Weekly meetings are
compulsory, and the commissioners
who fail to take an interest in the
city's affairs and attend the meetings
must resign and make room for 9TH
ers who feel and accept the re-
sponsibilities. 3 49,.
One of the excellent features Of the
new form of government is the fact
that every two years the people will
have but two members of the commits
sion to elect without any other issue
to distract the attention of the voter.
At that time, should the commission
ers be again candidates, their rec
ords will be as an open book, and it
will be for the people to decide
whether the men have done their
duty. The confusion consequent
upon the election Of . mayor. alder;
men, z: treasurer and other city Of
fiecrs, as under the old plan, is now
eliminated, and the question will be
solely upon the record or fitness of
but two candidates for commission
err, and every fourth year candi-
date for president of the commission
will also be voted for. 49, = -. Z.
1t is presumed that those who have
opposed the system will attempt to
discredit it, or do those things cal
culated to harrass and discourage
those who attempt in good faith to
bring about better state of affairs
in city government.
Some sincere but impractical cit
liens may place the standard of the
commission too high. To have high
ideals is a good trait, but we have
many elements and many political,
social and business jealousies and
conflicting interests to contend with.
We cannot elect the five best men
in the city for these positions, but
we can and ought to select five good
men. The vicious and 1awless ele-
ment usually succeed best when the
so-called silk stocking, or better
element asserts its independents
that is, scatter their votes among
candidates simply because they are
good men, regardless of their pop
ularity or vote getting qualities. 1t
is we'll and urgent that we select
good men, but better that we have a
majority than run the risk of losing
all This is lesson that is hard to
learn, but practical citizens who have
watched events know how important
it is: that we do not place the stand
ard beyond our ability to succeed.
Nor does the SO called leading bus
mess man" necessarily make the best
official. It often happens that bust
ness interests and business jealousies
destroy the usefulness of an other
wise most successful citizen. Under
the new commission system much
time must be devoted to the duties.
Especially Is this true Of the presi-
~ - Z " d
dent OF the commission, who Is voted
for specially. An ideal candidate Is
one who possesses qualification
first, the time to attend to the BUSH
ness; second. honesty OF purpose,
experience IN public affairs, acquain
lance with conditions existing ii this
city, and, third, diplomacy enough TO
keep the four departmentsthe
four commissioners in harmony
and lii earnest for the best interests
sof a Greater Bismarck.
&c.
The art Of living IN this city p
not ful;y known except to ad-answer-
ers.