El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-05-03

a LII authorities who have studied
"A the history of municipal reform
agree that England took the
steps which solved the question of
good city government more than half
century before the United States start
ed in that direction. During the first
third of the last century municipal af-
fairs in England had reached a state
of degradation which makes the worst
condition of affairs obtaining in any
city of the United States today seem
good in comparison. In 1892 the great
reform measure passed by parliament
brought the question of recognizing
the cities of Briton into the realm OF
practical politics. BY an act Of parli-
ament in the following year the cities
CT Scotland were investigated by one
commission. while a royal commission
studied conditions in England and
Wales The reports of these COM
missions are long. but are regarded
everywhere as being distinguished
for their clearness. comprehensive
ness, and vigor Of statement. and If
any proud American thinks United
States has had a monopoly on NUM-
cipal corruption his mind will be set
right by the exposures of these inves-
tigating commissions.
Corruption was Widespread.
The municipal government in nearly
every city was so STEPPED in corrup-
ton that it was no longer expected to
give an honest administration. When
an important work was to be done
commission was appointed and the city
officials had no part in it. Council
meetings were held in secret at all
times and nothing which transpired
was reported to the people offices
were distributed to the relatives and
friends of the councilmen without the
slightest regard for their ability to fill
the positions. Frequently several Off
ces were presented TO one individual
who drew salary for them all. although
he could not discharge the duties OF
even one position efficiently. Extra
vagance, inefficiency, and even dis
honesty existed everywhere Things
had actually reached the state where
councilmen fully believed that part of
the public revenues constituted por-
ton of their income as much as II IL
had been voted to them.
The Municipal Reform act.
Then came the municipal reform act
of 1885 The bill from which it was
framed was introduced by Lord John
Russell. and, having the support OF
such liberals as Sir Robert Peel. readily
passed the House Of Commons The
Lords tried TO kill it by emasculating
its important features. They sought
to deprive the council of the right to
regulate the issuance OF liquor IL
censes, and to make one-fourth OF the
councilmen life members A compro-
mise was reached and the resultant
law was styled the municipal reform
act Although this act did not materl-
alIv change the form of English NUM-
cipal government it completely re-
wraught its principles, and that basic
city law has continued TO this day,
almost unchanged except as to addi-
! lions which strengthen it and enlarge
the sphere of its operation In all the
years that have followed, England has
maintained her high standards OF
municipal rule so that the government
| of its cities is a study for every coun-
| try which tries to improve urban con-
/ ditions-
The fundamental principles OF the
! English municipal code are very SIM
pIe. Each city is a corporation clothed
| with large powers in the regulation
: of its own affairs These powers are
exercised by board chosen Iocally.
I Each city is divided into wards, ana
/ each ward has three councilmen TO
elect These councilmen select, after
organization. one-third as many alder
men as there are councilmen- One
] councilman is elected each year from
each ward. and thus the council IS
a continuing body The same Is true
: Of the aldermen. Their terms are six
wears. a third Of them being elected
every two years The aldermen and
ccuncilmen constitute what is known
as the city council, and this BODY Sc
| lects mayor-usually from its
/ own membership The mayor has no
! mowers which the aldermen and coun-
cilmen do not possess, except that he
| is titular president and ex oft1clo
magistrate. All other city officials
are chosen by this council. and to tins
| one body all responsibility attaches.
City Election simple.
CITY elections in England are simple
| Nominations are made by the posting
| of a paper in which one elector pro-
noses. another seconds. and eight
| others endorse the nomination OF GER
| tain man. There is a secret DaIiot'
| and it contains the names OF the
4 candidates printed in alphabetical or
| der, without party designations. me
| honesty and purity Of the electoral
/ methods are safeguarded. and an honest
count provided. Thus it will be seen
| that while the ward line is not abol-
ished. full responsibility is vested in
one body, and the method used in Des
! Moines. Iowa, for securing preliminary
nominations is used in England for the
regular nomination.
Although the majority of commits
! sion government advocates in America
believe in the abolition Of ward lines
and assert that with them there can
be no good city government. the
! English municipal expert asserts that
America will have to look deeper for
| the evil condition which makes for bad
! city government The English coun-
! ell is a., honorable body. to which the
best men of the community aspire.
Duty well discharged usually means
reelection Many members continue
in the service for 20 years or more
The exclusion of politics from the ad-
ministra ton of municipal affairs is
not legolly required. but 1t is effec-
lively done, and the merit system OBJ
/ tains to a remarkable degree Though
| the entire patronage af the city gov
] eminent is at the disposal of the coun-
ell, every civil servant of the city is
a subordinate whose term is during
! the pleasure of the council"
| So answerable to public sentiment
hag the council of the English city
-