Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-04-16

city hall is all that Is necessary anu
workmen are on the scene without de-
lay.
"But the most glaring absurdity con-
fronting a student of our present mu-
nieipal form of government is, that
our cities are treated and dealt with
as mere branches of the government
of the state, and have, and can exer-
else, only such powers as the leglsia-
ture of the state may from time TO
time breathe into them. This idea Is
wrong 1t entirely ignores the ele-
mentary and fundamental principle
upon which our whole governmental
structure is founded-the principle OF
local self government-and places our
cities practically under the control OF
men from every part of the state, who
can not possibly know anything about
local needs. conditions and require
ments. Every city (within certain
well defined constitutional restrictions)
should be left to run its own affairs,
Independent of the rest of the state
and in such manner as the wisdom Oh
its own citizens shall dictate and deter
mine.
But. by far the greatest curse which
has afflicted our modern cities and
made them such signal failures and
such shameful travesties upon our
whole system of government, has ap-
peared within the last so or 70 years,
long after our present form of city
government had been established.
This affection has come about through
the granting of franchises to public
service corporations.
mot an instance, no not one, can
be cited, where city officials have be-
trayed their trusts, except through the
pernicious influences of franchise-seek-
ing, bribe-giving public-service corpor-
atoms. l know this is broad state
ment. I know, too. that whisky, gam
bling and houses of prostitution have
contributed their full share to the cor
ruption of city politics, but not an in
stance can be found where these in
fuences (unaided by the so-called re
spectacle backing OF public-service
have ever, for any
length of time, successfully prevailed
against the better element of the COM
or succeeded in debauching an
entire city government. In other
words, public-service corporations, hav-
ing the money and the brains, deceive
and pacify the public. They map out
the plans and the schemes which the
saloon and the dive end the brothel
shall follow in consideration for pro-
lection extended to them. And so on
through all the ramifications of the
city government until, in this manner,
The lawless element not only triumphs
in. but secures and retains complete
control of. city affairs. Consequently
It has become proverbial that it is as
much as mans reputation is worth
20 have anything whatever to do with
politics.
Need for Noble Men.
But what higher aspiration should
a man have? What higher calling
should appeal to him, than wise and
Just administration OF public affairs?
Should it not be, in every community,
hat the head men and those selected
10 rule, should be in every sense of
he word, noble, pure and courageous
men, to whom the youth could safely
ook for his example?
"Ah, my friends, the cry Is now, as
t ever has been, for men-men of
nettle, men of courage, of character
Ind high ideals-men who can and
men who will, men who desire to bless,
o help. and enoble, not to deDase, to
to dishonor or to plumber
heir fellow countrymen! And the
commission form of municipal govern
nent is a clarion call to the manhood
If every community to stand forth. 1t
and invites the best citizen
o come out. 1t compels the rascal to
lee and hide.
But some will say that it places
90. much power in the hands Of a few
men. This is a misrepresentation of
What its provisions are.
''It does not increase power. 1t fixes
md increases responsibility The COM
as a matter of fact, are
prevented from the exercise of such
harmful powers as our city councils
oday posses to pass and grant out /
-ageous franchises to public-service
to deliver over incalcula- |
Dly valuable public privileges that be- /
ong to all the people; to fill the pub /
ic service with politicians whose only /
for appointment are their
bilty to get votes at election time, and /
he power to pay political debts with
'ublic money.
Against all these things our only /
resent remedy (and it beggars the /
iame of remedy is to pass resolutions /
It an indignation meeting, but beyond I
his we are absolutely powerless to /
prevent the injury. Such system |
reeds criminals.
Under the commission form all this |
S done away and the mighty talisman
hat works the magic spell, is the voice |
# the people, whose streets are to be |
,iven away, whose money is to be ex-
,ended for salaries; the voice of the |
people, speaking and making itself /
eard and respected in no uncertain |
ones by and through the referendum. |
Tor under the commission form no |
ranchise can be granted or become |
Effective unless it bears the peoples /