The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-05-01
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.


corresponding month In 1908.
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
Williamsport, Pennsylvania, has at
tracted wide attention during the past
few years by reason OF Its push, pro
Igressiveness and prosperity. Until
about 1901 there was nothing IN par
ticular to distinguish it from otner
cities Of like size and location. nsplr-
ed by splendid discomfort with pelns
no better than other communities
similarly situated it proceeded TO
organize a Board of Trade which mas
not only succeeded In making VIII
Transport bigger, better and buster
than before but has won for 1t natlon-
wide reputation for enterprise, deter
mination and ability to accomplish
valuable results. At the very begin
Ming OF the work it was recognized that
the future of the city depended en-
tirely on the patriotism of the inoivlo'
nal citizen and his willingness to de-
vote his time, energy and money IN
advancing the city's interests, ana the
results secured from eight years WORK
fu1lv demonstrate the fact that the In
diyidual citizen Of Williamsport, as
unit IT the local board, has done his
whole duty. The chief object In view
was the establishment OF various IN
Idustries. The work of securing them
was undertaken with enthusiasm and
system The citizens organized and all
did all they could. The work was not
left to an exclusive few. Selfish In
lterests and petty Jealousies We're
subordinated to organized efforts Tor
the general good, with resulting ad-
yancement Of the public welfare I'M
eaualed by that of any other city OF
the size or Of double the population in
the United States.
But Williamsport, in common with
most municipalities, finds itself handi-
capped by its form of government. It's
situation in this particular is identical
with that Of Keokuk. With the growth
of the city there is increased responsi-
bility and greater demands upon the
time Of those chosen to conduct the
city's business. Coincident with this
is the unwillingness OF competent and
experienced men to accept official posi-
ton. The inevitable result II this
. condition of affair." is allowed to con
tinue. must be mismanagement OF the
public business, obstruction OF pro
! gressive movements and retrogressior
instead Of advancement. Williams
9 port, again like Keokuk, is lookins
!, to the commission plan OF city
government for relief. In its repor
for the year 1908, just at rand, tn,
e Williamsport Board Of Trade says:
s "The increasing lack, not only of de
a sire, but of willingness Of the majorit.
e of capable business men to accept
a nomination for membership in TIL
: municipal legislative bodies, is tn
= cause of a constantly increasing nun
Der of thinking people coming to be
lieve that the day Is not far distan
If when the people as a whole will dc
!. mand simplified form of municipa
:, government to replace that which |
). today producing results far from sal
= isfactory.
:. "The man whose daily business, t
.
o sound Judgment and quick action de
lr clines to take upon himself the respor
g sibility and burden of public servic
when to do so entails the devotion G
wholly unnecessary time In the cor
q sideration Of business problems, tn
), solving of which would occupy les
:. number Of hours, than the number c
y weeks which he knows will be consun
L. ,1,0 In ly h,,ct T,o c
IS experience, training or ability, seer
ot to regard their incumbency as merel
II furnishing an opportunity to bask
le the limelight OF publicity.
Concerning the adaptability Of tn
councilmanic system to the admin
istration of a modern city. there is n
!" longer any honest difference OF OPT
a. ion among the higher authorities
municipal government who conten
is that the one great obstacle to the pr
s. gress of city. the one influence whic
nr stands in the way Of legitimate rr
jects of advancement, muddles fina
d. ces. upsets harmonious plans of II
g. provement and hampers with the r
q Iquirements of petty policies the be
% ideas that the executive may evolve,
the unwieldy and frequently largely
responsible body known as city cou
In ellis; that as long as the actual COVER
lp- ing power remains in the hands
lb. those, the most part of whom are lac
RS ing the capacity and experience +
az quisite for such service, so long Il
~. Interests of the municipality must s,
40 fer as the management of any busine
=" concern will suffer II vested in tho
CT similarly incompetent"
IS. The theory of a compact, expert a
he h;,;t, "a ;n,n,ad;.te,r w;tbir =
reach of the people. is accepted
use students of municipal affairs as havil
,as automatic force The sole question
ed as to ways and means of procuring
Ter application. Galveston. Des Moin'
Id Cedar Rapids and other cities ha