Evening journal., 1911-02-03
NEED GOOD MEN.
in GOVERNMENT.
Reforms Will Come Then MIR.
BOnaparte Tells Civic ASSO-
citation Membership
PUBLIC OFFICES EXIST
FOR BENEFIT OF PEOPLE

The Hon. Charles J. Bonaparte.
forme Attorney general OF the United
States, gave a scholarly and lucid adj
dress on Good Government and How
to Get It." before three hundred peO-
pie in the High School auditorium last
evening Men prominent In profession
al life. and leading business men Of
the city. made up the audience, and
over a third Of those present were wo-
men. President Herbert H. Ward OF
the Wilmington Civic Association, un-
der whose auspices the lecture was
given. introduced Mr.. Bonaparte, and
gave a general invitation TO attend the
regular meeting OF the association on
Monday night. al the High School,
when the bills drawn up by the Board
OF Trade for presentation TO the Leg
islature will be submitted 10 general
discussion.
Mr.. Bonaparte opened his address
by stating that some writer's thought
city government should have a wider
scope; should own railways, give
school lunches, old age pensions to
workmen, etc, while others thought
Il undertook too much now to do IL
well. But tonight he said. he would
deal only with the quality. not the
scope of municipal government
Costly experience with forms or
municipal government in the United
States, said Mr. Bonaparte, has taught
that some forms promote honesty and
economy while others make for graft
and waste but it should also be re-
membered that a good municipal char
ter is good only If IT. assures a thor
ough fulfillment OF civic duties. Forms
may be material factors in govern
ment, said the speaker. but the one
thing indispensable for good govern
ment is good men.
Thirdly, said Mr. Bonaparte, the
saying "A city is a business corpora
tiOn and should be run on business
principles. Is only true in its second
half; for a city is not business cor
poration in the same sense as a bank
OF a trading company, It exists 10
make those subject to its sway, hap
by through righteousness and needs
the aid of all agencies which preserve
and purify organized human society.
Mistakes Of Reformers.
Reformers make the mistake Of ap-
pealing TO voters self-interests said
Mr.. Bonaparte. They hold out rewards
Of better streets. lower taxes, etc. II
the voters will give time aud make
\ personal sacrifices to bring about re-
/ forms; and the refOrmers are disap-
pointed to find voters will not respond
to these Inducements to aid in reform
work.
The speaker quoted President El-
liot of Harvard. as speaking a pro.
found truth when he said the reward
to hold out to a man TO get him TO sac
rifice fortune and life was not monel
but a medal or bit of ribbon. Where
as here, said the lecturer. every citizel
forms part of the government II tn
government be bad. the citizens ar
unworthy: a community with chroni
misgovernment does not deserve
better fate. he thought because
does not desire good government
earnestly enough to make the bad i'm
possible.
What is the value in dollars an'
cents OF our patriotismg' asked Mr.
| Bonaparte. "Will blind and paltr!
preiudices. self-interest the hope o
quartering an incompetent relative Of
the taxpayers, or becoming a colone
on the Governors staff, sheer indol
ence, 'cowardice, or tho dread Of dis
tasteful work outweigh it?"
The word politics" originally mean
city affairs" said Mr.. Bonaparte, and
every man engaged in securing gooC
city government is q politician in tbs
true sense. Politics in the sense Of Z
fiim-fiam, bunco game can never b
pure except as pure and unadulterateC
rascality, he declared. when VI
speak OF pure politics We mean politics
as guided and controlled by sincere
scrupulous, unselfish men,
To this end, said the speaker, appli
cation of Civil Service reform princi
pies in city affairs, will go lonl
way.
Offices for the People.
These principles reduced TO one
said Mr.. Bonaparte. are that ever
public office exists for the sole benef
OF the people, and cannot be main
tanned. consistently with the funda
mental theory OF our government, un
der any circumstances, for the beneh
of the incumbent, or any other indi
yidual or organization.
Mr.. BOnaparte gave examples, scrub
women appointed at $50 a month, wit
nominal duties in Washington; IN
woman who complained that Civil Ser
vice reform made it difficult TO get pc
sitions for poor people in Washington
and cases Of gOod-for-nothing relative
of Baltimore politicians, appointed {
Offices of trust in that city. as sample
Of the spoils system government Tn
4 amazing part OF the Baltimore case
& to Mr.. Bonaparte was the sympathy Z
iuries, five trials failing 10 secure COZ
vicuon in one case. Mr.. Bonapart
4 assured the reformers i'm other citie
Z that although his illustrations weT
7 from Baltimore. they need have no fea
OF running short OF similar work
other cities.
In conclusion, be said that II wa
B the case OF the Gospel cOmmani
Take up thy bed and walk"-the cur
came after the arising. II voters col
tent themselves with saying what the
q will do after our evils are cured :
3 Providence OF cure themselves, the
will forever lie PROSTATE and hell