The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-08-30
GAYNoR ON GoyERNMnrr

GAYNOR ON GOVERNMENT.
The public utterances If Mavor tiav.
nor as to the administration of his
great office have been marked by sanity
OF view and realization OF the llmita-
tons which are placed upon those in
authority. His strict and consistent
adherence to the law, unmoved by
contrary demand. have characterized
him as public officer Of the most
efficient type.
Perhaps his latest opinion on a
question Of government is contained in
the September number OF the Century
in an article on 'rhe Problem OF Eff
,clcnt city Government"
" AS the tines for election PERIODICAL
~ approach, the same demand of a
large number of people is regularly
heard: Just select some merchant or
business man and let him run the city
government as he runs his own bus
mess How easy 1t sounds! But this
IS one of the worst Celusions concern
ing city government. 1t is true that
the business affairs OF a city should
be carried on in business way, and
should be put at the head of depart
ments and details; but for the general
management and political control-a
prime essential which cannot be dis
pensed W1th---something more Is need
ed. The government of u large city
is highly complex legal and political
machine. 1t has. prescribed by law, all
sorts OF necessary checks and Iimita-
tons upon official power
~ business man may do just as he
likes in his business, but not as a
Mayor or in any public Office. There
ne is mere instrument to carry out
the laws. His power of attorney is
the law"
This dictum strikes at the popular
conception that "a city ought to be
run just like 4 business; but 1t is very
clearly correct view. The head of a
city government cannot have the same
liberty and arbitrary power that the
mead of business concern Yields
Many and Important are the limitations
imposed upon Mayors and Others in
municipal authority Mayor Gaynor IS
right about it. We can apply business
principles to city government bene-
~ "Aieii tilal is done, the
law rightly checks that freedom OF
action which belongs to the business
executive.
WHAT is THOUGHT OF ..rEDDY.,
Inc Northern papers are saving
things about the Colonel which would
nc regarded by some 1nollycoddles in
these parts as wholly undignifled, MANY
persons holding to the idea. ap-
parently, that the ColoneIs self-os-
sumed place in the universe renders
MIN immune from harsh language ~.
accurate description. Here IS what
some of the papers say about him and
MS present swash buckling expedition:
me New York World-"Mr Taft is
the first Chief Magistrate who has
peen called upon to deal with rival.
claimant, pretender an intruder.
an impostor."
The New York Evening Post-'It is
haro TO be patient with a man who
laihs Dig but acts mean, whose eye is
always to the main chance politically.
and who lets no friendship, no gen
crosby. no principle, no moral scruple.
stand Tor moment between himself
ana the goal upon which he has set
ms oVermastering AMBITION
Ihe louisville Courier-J ournal-
Ihere Is perennial attraction in draw
ing the, sword and hinging the scab-s
bard away: in flying a flag inscribed,
NO quarter asked. or given. Cried
Junius Brutus Booth, we bucks in the
gallery. have at We ALL and the very
walls shook with the applause Did
X iY.1, 1i,cb leo, AL
the Moyamensjng Hook land Ladder
Company in the Philadelphia melo-
drama. Kirby wraps the American
flag around him, marches down to the
footliShts. fires off two boss pistols
and dies like son of q gum Great, |
great. is hapdoodle."
The Springfield Neutrality-suspicious.
who have lacked the true measure OF
Theodore Roosevelt will begin to get |
1t now. His conduct toward his friend. |
the President. is alone enough to con-
denim him with every lust mind
throughout the land. TO satisfy this
inordinate craving for the popular at
tention and applause he Is willing to |
trample that friend underfoot and |
make his administration a failure. The |
obvious ambition of Mr.. Roosevelt to
regain dictatorial power in the nation
Will receive sober notice from the
American people before it has been
gratified, but meantime the character
of this people Will prove to be much
different from what we can suppose 1T
to be IL this brutal treachery toward
President Taft does not stir up
widespread feeling of angry resent
ment."
The Philadelphia Unconstitutional
Roosevelt Is strong on all moral prob
lens except that which touches the
greatest number of people most
mighty. Can it be that With his keen
scent for rascnls he Is oblivlous to the
immortality of those who, under grant
of a license from his party. are plum
dering the country by tariff eStor-
tion?"
Representative Southern newspapers
are also expressing their opinions very
freely about tire Colonel and his say
ngs' and dolngs, AN for example:
The yirginian- Piiot--"so what but .
The idle yaporing OF Yainglorious
iema gogpe can such erupttye utter |,
ances be, unless. indeed. they betray
an insane idea ~ building throne
tos himself ca rae aaEfy discomfort