United labor bulletin., 1911-11-30


elimination of ward representation, all
of the commissioners being elected at
large.
To the extent that our national and
state governments are composed of rep
resentatives from all parts of the state
and nation, giving to these bodies
knowledge and insight into the condi
tions and desires of the people every
where within their respective jurisdic-
tions, is it desirable that a city's repre-
sentaton should also be composed of rep
resentatives from the various parts of
the city.
The remedy for existing evils-dis-
honest and corrupt officials-is not to
reduce the number of officials necessary
to corrup. 1t is to enlarge such num-
Der and bring them closer to the people.
as we'll as to remove the source of cor
ruption, namely, private ownership of
public utilities.
The comforts and conveniences Incl.
dent to city life-transportation facili-
ties, lighting, sanitation. police and fire
protection, street sweeping and sprink-
ling-should be extended to all parts Of
the city in as nearly equal proportions
as possible. Ward representation for
Legislative purposes is the better assur-
ance that this will be done. Under the
exclusive election at large system the
business and bonton sections are reason
ably assured that they will receive an
undue proportion of such benefits.
Non-Partisan Feature.
Government by commission, in various
degrees, also aims to be non-partisan.
By removing the labels and arranging
all candidates alphabetically or by lot,
Republican and Democratic sinners are
presumed to become non-partisan saints.
The public service corporations take
an average of ten dollars per capita an
nually as profits on public service. To
continue this plundering of the people
they need franchises. They aim to evade
all of the provisions in the franchises
they now have that are in any way ia
vorable to the people. 1t is to their in
terest to have officials that will wink the
other eye. They are nonpartisan.
The gamblers and the vice-merchants.
likewise, are non-partisan. Their busi-
ness is to plunder the people of both
money and morals by Illegal traffics.
They want officials who will fail to en-
force the laws for decency and morality.
1t is to their interest, as it is to the in
terest of the public service corporations,
to get candidates in the field whom they
can use. Consequently these two ele-
ments in society pool their issues. The
alliance thus formed is a natural one.
BY the partisan method of nominating
candidates for public positions either by
primary or convention, the corporations
and the crooks are not always assured
of getting candidates of their choice In
the race. By the non-partisan scheme
there is absolutely no doubt about it.
They select their own candidates.
Both of these factors have been in
politics a long time They know the
game. They know how to boost for their
own candidates among the innocent by
ISLANDERS. They subsidiZe the press.
Their chances of success are immeasur-
ably enhanced when they are pitting but
one set of candidates against a field of
more or less obscure, but honest, indi-
viduals, who must depend on their own
individuality and their own resources for
the suffrage of the people.
The common people, those that are
plucked and plundered by the above ele-
ments, do need political party to repre-
sent their interests. To successfully
combat big vice and little vice. not only
candidates. but party principles and
party organization are absolutely essen
tial.
Miscellaneous Provisions.
Other provisions usually contained in
the commission form laws are the follow
ing: Initiative, referendum and recall.
civil service. publicity, etc. None OF
these features. however. are essential to
the scheme. In all of the instances that
writer, the sections dealing with these
reforms have been drafted by their enc
mics, and at best are merely the sugar
coating for distasteful pill. Further
more they are subject to repeal by the
legislature.
Provisions for the reforms enumerated
above are contained in many city char
ters as well as in several of the state
laws, having a general application. with
out requiring a sacrifice of democracy.
ward representation and the right to
nominate candidates in whichever way
the people may deem best. as well as
the right to elect public officials.
The Standard Dictionary defines "aris-
tocracy" as IA form of government in
which the sovereign power is lodged in
council composed of select persons or
mobiles as the ruling class. without
monarch. and exclusive OF the common
people"
Government by commission is only an
other name for aristocracy.