The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1909-09-10

much upon voluntary and unofficial
instead of working with
and through the official machinery OF
the city, the machinery which Is
especially designed and set in motion
for the very purposes which they have
at heart? Consider the difficulty, for
example, of raising by private sub
scription five, ten, or twenty-five
thousand dollars for schools, play
grounds, parks, or any other public
purpose, compared with the relative
ease with which the city government
itself can proceed. And the difficulty
of effectively administering the fund
is equally great. Do not misunder-
stand me. There is place, a perma-
nent place, believe, for voluntary ac-
ton. 1t must be depended upon in
the future as in the past to make ex-
periments, to act in advance of pub
lie opinion and to supplment public
action in fields that lie somewhat out
side. But if such voluntary work
leads to confusion of thought, If 1t is
relied upon after the period of ex-
Fermentation is past, If it is looked
upon as substitute for public ac-
ton instead of a supplement, it may
often do more harm than good. For,
sooner or later, we must realize that
large and permanent results are pos
sible only through the regular ma
chinery of the city government, and
our democratic ideals of city life
should make us unwilling to accept
the benefits Of public improvements
without contributing our share to-
ward the expenses that they necessar-
lily involve.
The second mistake is the critical,
cynical and often hopeless view that
we hold of public officials, of the
city administration in particular. To
be sure there has been some justifica-
ton for this view. City government
in the United States, has not always
been subject for pride. The people
of other countries have not looked to
us for models of municipal admins
tration. To improve we must have
even more fearless criticism of un-
faithful and inefficient service. Trai-
tor, the term used in San Francisco,
is not too severe for dishonest pub
lie official, and we should not hest
tate to so brand him. But, and this
is the point | wish to emphasize, we
need also to accord hearty and prompt
approval of faithful and efficient serv-
ice. So intently have we fastened our
attention upon the dishonest and UNI
qualified public official that we have
lost sight completely of the patient
efficient, self-sacrificing mayor, alder
man or engineer, who, underpaid and
overworked, is genuine public serv-
ant, looking upon public Office as a
public trust. Because of our lack OF
loyalty and discrimination such an in.
dividual soon tires of public service
and shifts to the more comfortable
more secure, more renumerative
fields of private business.
A third cause of our failure so fal
is the absence of Just pride in what
Is best in our cities, discriminating
appreciation of their achievements. II
is a common custom to run down the
place in which we live, to speak of the
local council with scorn, to denounce
the whole city government as bad
Our feeling toward the nation is quite
different For that we have pride, in
some directions without justification
We are more ready also to serve the
nation. No call from Washington
would be UNDECIDED. But the same
flag that calls forth our enthusiasm
and patriotic service for the nation,
floats over the City Hall at Milwau-
kee, Madison and Oshkosh and makes
the same claims for loyalty, the same
demands for help.
I. + +
THE CITY OF TOMORROW.