Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-17
Honesty. Common Sense and Fair

ness.
Honesty, common sense and fairness
+ are the essential qualities for the max
ing of an acceptable and capable com
missioner under the new form of NUM-
cipal government. The same requisites
may well apply in the consideration of
aspirants for the mayoralty. The chief
virtue in the commission plan is that
it delegates 10 the people the oppoc-
unity so long sought to choose the
man without considerations other than
those of fitness. With the elimination
Of political influences, with ward lines
abolished. the people Of the entire city,
regardless of politics or section, have
now the chance to scan the list of can
didates. weigh the measure of merit,
and pick. according TO their own judg-
ment, the men best suited 10 serve
them.
It has often been contended, and
that with good reason, that in the
choice of local officials the people, who
are the employers, should be guided
by the same principles that would OBJ
tain in the engagement Of any man for
q place of trust and responsibility. Il
has been q source of regret that under
the system of local politics so long in
vogue, this opportunity was denied to
the people. for the reason that politics /
or other consideration the people were 1
not always in a position TO choose /
wisely. This does not imply that ca /
pable men have not always been Sc
lected in the local elections, but the /
fact is indisputable that good men /
have been sacrificed on both sides of /
the political fence for men less worthy
and less fit, because OF the influence of
politics.
Where politics is the dominant fac
tor in the choice of mayor or aldermen
or in the subordinate appointments,
the control OF municipal politics be-
comes part and parcel of machine of
wider range and influence, and in all
that pertains to the domination of city
affairs from the ward primaries to the
general election, the EZigency Of the .
political situation must be borne in
mind. II is for ibis reason that there
has gone forth all over the land a cry
fer less politics ii city affairs. Out of
this sentiment has sprung demand
for new form of municipal govern
mCnr which has given birth 10 the com
mission plan. which Rock Island has
determined to try on.
IN the early cCueriments much will
depend upon the class of men the peo-
pie select TO represent them II the in
auguration Of the scheme in Rock Is
land. If the city naglects to choose .
.aIable and representative citizens. II
VIII of course fail in the realization of
tho ideals which the plan promises.
TO avoid making mistakes the people
have but to use judgment in The pri-
m&ries and in the general election. Il
every citizen, in the consideration of
candidates, Will think Of his own indi-
vidual rights. remembering that he is
freefoOted. free-handed and under no
10 any candidate. that it is
individual business that he is attend
ing to. that he owes nothing 10 anyone
but himself in HIS choice Of the men
he wishes TO serve him. thai he is go
ing to pick the right kind of men just
EXACTLY as if he was employing them
in his private business. there viii be
no danger about Rock Island choosing
Z well balanced and capable commits
sion.
The same rules of honesty. common
sense and fairness that would be re
9uired and expected of a man seeking
employment in a private capacity may
veil apply in the determining of men
who are to act in public capacity.
Study well the list of candidates from
lay TO day, TX your mind upon men Of
suown honesty and integrity, of aver
age common sense and fairness of dis
position. and there viii be no question
about the success of the commission
plan, and while the recall clause should
or emergency be amended. there viii -
De less occasion 10 worry about the
occasion for the emergency provision