Evening journal., 1911-01-28
PARTISAN CITY GOVERNMENT.

~ MOTHER reason for a new city charter and
4 an Improvement in our way Of conducting
the affairs Of the city is the action of Council in
paying, despite the protest of the Republican
members, bill for extras TO the concern that
did the work on the repairs and improvements 10
the city tax Office more than year ago.
Prior to rushing through Council the resolu-
ton for the payment of the bill for extras"
secret conference was held at which it was agreed
that the bill should be paid. At the open session
of Council, Mr. Benson rightly objected to the
shutting off of all discussion relative to the pay
ment of the bill. The city, he declared, had paid
the full amount OF the original contract. He
showed that the sum for extras was excessive
and that the proceedings had been irregular
1t will be remembered that the Democratic City
Auditor Mr.. Kurtz, had refused 10 approve the
bill and Council therefore passed it over his pro-
test and veto. The action Of Council in passing
the bill is but another instance of the l-treatment
Mr.. Kurtz, who is a conscientious official trying to
follow the strict letter Of the law has received at
the hands of Council.
The secrecy which surrounded the jammng
through Council Of this bill for extras" is one of
the things about it that calls for censure, and
Council will be widely condemned for its action
AS we have said, the conduct of Council in this
matter is one more instance of the improper man
ner in which business is conducted under the pres
Gul 6ySleH II SUCH loose tnCtnOQS are IOllOWcQ,
there is no telling where the city will land Among
careful business men throughout Wilmington
there is nothing but thorough disgust over our
present system. Some of these business men do
not hesitate TO declare that the city is practically
bankrupt today. The cry for a new charter and
complete reorganization of our municipal affairs
on a non-partisan basis as far as possible is inn
perative. AS Governor Pennewill has said, voic-
ing the same opinion held by others who have
given the subject broad-minded study, a city is a
big corporation, and its affairs should be conduct
ed as big corporation. Ii should not need words
to convince property owners, men and women
whose interests are tied up in the welfare Of the
city of this fact. We believe they are convinced.
Voters show at the polls that they hold these
views. AT city elections they have repeatedly
manifested their dspleasure They have shown a
spirit of municipal independence underlying which
is the firm desire that the affairs of the city should
be conducted on a business basis.
This city is normally Republican by more than,
TO be conservative, one thousand majority. And
yet in the face of this majority with the Repub-
lican party in this city more adroitly managed
than the Democratic party is, the voters now and
then turn the Republicans out of power when they
are dissatisfied with their record and put the Demo-
Gratis into power with the hope that the overturn-
ing will result in better city government. They
taste of the Democratic administration and then
return the Republicans TO power. OF course this
overturning, viewed from a non-partsan angle, is
better than vast majority of one party and the
continuance of one party in power
But has not even this method, the method Of
parties almost evenly divided on city elections,
proved unsatisfactory so far as the management
of municipal affairs is concerned? Something diff
ferent is demanded, and that appears TO be new
charter or radical changes in which psrtisanship
shall be eliminated so far as possible--it will not
be possible to eliminate psrtisanship entirely--and
the looking upon city offices as places to be filled,
not by political workers as rewards for political
activity, but by men thoroughly competent TO con-
duct the etys affairs on what is popularity called
business basis. Much money we think could be
saved.
1t is we'll for the voters, property owners and
property renters TO remember that mismanage-
ment and waste, il nothing worse takes money
which could be advautsgeously used in permanent
improvements that all would enjoy, streets, parks,
lights and the like
The problem we know is not easy of solution
We mention it to show the duties and RESPONSE
bilities resting upon our men of affairs TO whom
the people naturally look 10 bring order out of
chaos.