The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-24
APPROVES The SUMTER PLAN.
1. T.. ASHBURNER, FORMED CITY
MANAGER OF STAUNTON. VA.
THINKS PLAN A GOOD
ONE.
MIR. Ashburner Discusses ADVANTAGES
or Having Commissioners Elected
and City Manager Appointed by
Ihem-As to Term OF Officers. of
SounciImen ard City Manager
Other Points. -

In view of the fact that Sumter is
endeavoring to have bill passed in
the General Assembly providing for
the commission form of government
IN this city, the following letter from
Mr.. {. E. Ashburn, formerly citv
manager of Staunton, Va, will be read
with interest by the people of Sum-
>ik
Commerce, Sumter S. G.
Dear Sir: Replying to yours of 9Th
inst. Your plan is, in my opinion.
an Improvement upon the commission
or Staunton plan. In the commission
plan proper it is almost impossible
TO elect men who are experts in the
various lines of work they have to
undertake. Your city. 1 have no
doubt, will elect good, honest busi-
ness men who will be capable of de-
Gliding upon the best thing to do.
their opinions being based upon re.
ports and suggestions of their hired
man, the general manager. Just as
the president or board Of directors
of any corporation would. whereas
they might not be able to thrash out
the details CT many important mat
ters. For this reason and many more
l favor your plan.
The Staunton plan will never obtain
the results that are possible until the
large council of two bodies is done
away with. Napoleon said that one
bad general was preferable to two
good ones. Three councilmen are
preferable to larger number. 1 be-
lieve in the General Manager being
purely an executive officer. He
should furnish his plans and estimates
of work and when authorized to go
ahead, he should be left alone in
absolute charge and responsibility.
Your three commissioners would be
paid and the people would know who
20 put their fingers on.
You ask my advice, take it for
what you think it is worth. Elect
your commissioners for four years
or two, three and four for the first
election. then all for four years. Let
th"m hire a general manager for as
long as he gives satisfaction. Just as
any large corporation does. The Big
Boys" don't hire man and let him
hustle for his JOB each twelve months.
They want the man who can deliver
the goods Be sure that your man
ager is a business engineer. That is
business man and engineer who can
hire men, manage men and 10 any
kind Of construction in competition
with any man. Make him responsible
TO no one but the commission and
give to him the authority to hire and
fire every man under him. He
should purchase everything used by
the city, unless, of course, the COM
mission appoint one Of their num-
ber as purchasing agent. If you care
at any time to come up TO Lynch
burg | could go more into details. I
am thoroughly familiar with all the
trouble and crooks in municipal work
and would be glad TO help your c. 3.
one trouble With the general min-
ager is that men who are capable
receive more money and better treat
ment from private corporations. l
am sure that | can help YOU as / was
heart and soul in the work whilst I
worked for Staunton but did not
stand for election in July but went
back into private life.
Very truly yours.
CHAE. y. ASHBCRNER.