Charlevoix county herald., 1911-04-22
City of Dallas Likes Commission
Continued from lst page

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municipal government has been ac-
colnplisned under that plan and
therefore we feel that we have
right To commend it,"
Henry ID. Lindsey, president OF the
Citizens Association of Dallas, which
nominated the present board OF CON-
mlssioners and managed the last Two
municipal campaigns which resulted
In their election, SAYS:
1.-THE commission form OF govern
menL is a success, but without any
hesitation i must say that IL has not
yet met its real test. Like all phases
Of civic de, elcpment, IL has had The
earnest consideration Of thoughtful
and unseltish citizens, resulting in
the selection of officials OF high char
acter and good ability. As the new
ness wears off IL remains 10 be seen
whether the politician, the spokesman
he CRATER aud the demagogue may
not under IL obtain tirmer and more
dangerous hold on the municipality
than was ever possible under the Old
aldermanic form Of government. As
time passes the pubic conscience will
become less acute. and the busy pri-
vate citizen, accustomed 10 the care
ful and honest administration OF his
city's affairs, will naturally cease
that COL slant watchfuness which is
the price Of civic decency. Then the
professional politician and SCOTSMAN
who has been temporarily separated
from his chosen profession, will take
advantage of the lethargy of the busy
good citizen aud the lull in the public
conscience and again come into what
he considers his own-Lhe control of
the city's government.
when this time shall come, and
unquestiODabIY 1t will come u Sc me
of our cities which have SO prOpf-
tiOusiy started out under The COM
mission form OF government, the OPP
pOrIunities lOr graft and bossism will
be UNNECESSARILY increased over what
Was ever possible under the oder
form 81 government, when authority
was more widely distributed auu
power less concentrated.
1.-THE commission form of govern
ment is therefore, blessing watch
can at any time be turned into
curse. 1t is powerful machine cap
able of being used for tremendous
harm Under it, ten continuous Years
OF good government 10 il city will be
productive of greater blessings TO the
community at large than would be
possible ia thrice that time under the
average aldermanic city administra-
tion. Under it one-half the years of
graft will he calamity Of fearful i'm
port.
of city government may be kept at
the high standard and that has been
set by practically all of the cities
which have thus far adopted IL, it is
necessary that there shall be:
u. A willingness on the part OF
men of character and ability To un-
dertake, for a reasonable length OF
time. aud at personal sacrifice if
need be, the respous bilities Of public
Office.
80. The divorce of city affairs
from both party aud ward politics.
"3. A soIdity Of citizenship, keep
ing constantly alive the deIermina
ton that the clty's affairs shall be
honestly and efficiently administered,
and a nonpartlsm citizens orgaUiza-
tion as a practical instrumentality
for the accomplishment Of these.
"a. The preclusIon OF those off,
cialiy or most actively connected
with such an organization from any
dealings with the city involving a
personal profit.
THE observance Of these basic
principles means keeping alive the
public conscience, the surest safe
guard of the public veal While 1t Is
true that the best of officials will
make mistakes, the administration of
the city's affairs az whole Will un-
questionably be for the general good,
The first and greatest essential OF
good government will be observed,
freedom from craft and corruption OF
any kind. That city is safe and will
remain .afe under a commission
form Of government which, In prac-
tce as we'll as theory, keeps alive
these principles. 1t will move for
ward in the march OF civic Develop
ment az a pace and with results
which will not only rebound To its
own credit. but viii make IT. an ex-
ample for the municipalities OF the