Morris tribune., 1912-12-13
BEDE AS A PROGRESSIVE
ton.

We have been taught to believe that Adam Bede,
humorist. lecturer and editor of Bede's Budget, is
standpatter but for mapping out program of poll
tica progress Bede rather has the edge anything
yet offered His is the large sensible view which points
out several definite things towards which progress should
be made. Of of the things which he pro-
poses will be long time coming long that Bede need
hardly look for any glory for himself in making the sug-
gestons he does. Here is what Bede says in the last
Budget
$50 many impractical things being demanded in
the affairs of government that it is worth while point
out few betterments that to be made the
years go by of which would have been made long
ago only that we have vast country, Id have been
busy in the physical conquest of continent. We
felled the forests powed the fields dug the mnes gath
cred fortunes and laid the foundation of future greatness
Now we have time to make survey of the work. study
tendency of established institutions and urge along
the natural evolution to better things.
'Perhaps greatest defect is in municipal govern
ment In this have much learn from older countries
So long the local government did than under
take keep the peace the problem was comparatively
simple and those in authority required great pre-
paraon for their work But with the growth of popula-
ton and the increasing refnements of civilization
demands for pa-ks pavements, sanitation water SUPPLY
schools, libraries play grounds bathing pools fire pro-
lection public lighting and the regulation of the liquor
traffic and the social evil Then municipal government be
science that be mastered only by years of study
1t should therefore be separated state and natona
politics and placed in field by itself The mayor general
manager. superintendent whether he may be called
up through the grades after much study
experience and be hired his merits by
bodv foi+;
the president of bank or manager of railroad.
'There is logical reason why municipal scientist
should not be mayor of Duluth, and then hired on his
merits by St. Paul Minneapolis by Chicago and by New
York in turn Then should begin more scienti-
c and economic government we would solve that vexed
problem of equitable taxation would standardize munich
pal affairs and make of architects draft of the city
We striving to build that all could work with
the general plan in view avoiding the necessity of buying
and removing buildings to make future streets and
IwharVes, rights of way for transportation lines.
County officers whose employ ment is almost wholly
clerical will be placed under civil service to be
only for The county commissioners ought to know
enough to hire attorney, and hear complaints Ieay
ing with the the power of 1t seems al
most criminal under present system that county off
cial is ofmes compelled spend for his election il
time and money, in the primary and general campaign
as much as his annual salary.
/ Nothing is more important to any community thar
the school teachers who have the training our children
but no one dreamed of electng them The schoo
board elected by the people chooses superintendent
and through the channels of information at his
ne employs teachers the approval of the boar
County affairs will sometime be conducted on svsran
analogous to this. thus magnying the board of commits
sloners and securing in its membership the most capable
citizens
y The judiciary should also be appontive with sim
pie torn OF thus removing the court
animation with poitca! bosses obligation to those j,
places OF power Nothing is humiliating in ou
system OF government than the scrambng and intriguing
OF candidate for place on the bench
sometime we shall know something