The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-11-08
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS.

In PORTLAND QUESIIUNS.
II is becoming time that every
'aood citizen Of this city who wants
no see the city government removed
! lun partisan strife. and differed
~, tuucst AL capable men, should
DO scmr serious thinking. and better
| gtill Iuke some intelligent action to-.
wards securing thrs" results. Tho
ward conventions are to be held early
Ic%t week. Upon the action Of these
conventions depends very largely the
growth of he city for the next four
years. These conventions should be
ATTENDED hy every member Of the po-
ltical parties holding them as it Is
imprrativ" that not only good. rclia-
bic men he chosen as candidates to
represent the wards upon tho council.
hmt they should be instrumental in
sending Representatives men To iNH
city conventions which will select the
! four commissioners to serve the city
{ for the coming four years.
The commission form Of govern
ncnt, while it has been very success.
full in other cities. can hr no better
than tho mon who administer it..
This applies not only to Fairmont bri
10 all other cities.
In selecting these mGn the mcu1-
hers Of the political parties should
not let their personal friendship Tor
any candidate guide them. They
should ask themselves this question.
are the men qualified TO fill these
positions. are they honest and capa
bic, and arc they such men as any
large business concern would employ
at $4,000 per year to manage its
busneSs?" If candidates are select
ed with this one idea in view the city
will have the best government 1t has
ever had. but il they are selected be-
cause they need tho office or through
PARTISAN politics The chances are that
the commission plan will prove ii dis
appointment To those who DcllGE"
that it should be Il great success in
Fairmnut.
The four commissioners will have
full charge Of the four departments
Of the city government as rOllOw":
nr Department Of fire, police,
law. health and charity.
/" Department of finance. taxa
ton and public utilities.
cd Department Of streets
whary"4. public buildings aud
grounds.
tN Department of water and
sewers
Look over the men who are mcn-
timed for these places and inquire
into their particular qualification,
Tor these several departments. There
are hiE problems for the city OF Fair
mont Ia consider, and not only con-
slider. but work out in the next few
Years. Ii they arc solved right We
can expect splendid growth for TN
city. II any mistakes arc made We
mas see Il long period of suspense
fhe commissioners elected to serve
the city must Eot only be we'll quail
fed hut they must be men III whom
tho public will have suffiCl"": con
| ndrnCc to assist them in solving the
business problems Of the city. Co
operation from the citizens is just az
roccssary as the selection of Eoot
men.
4 Being a good fellow, or being hon
st arc not especially tho kind Of
qualifications to look for. OF cOurS'
honesty must be the first considers
ton but there arc hundreds Of good
/ ,oncst men in FalrmOnt who have
not sufficient executive ability &c
transact . big business like the bust
ness OF the city OF FairmOnt. There
arc mni.ous o. dollars Of taxable
propcrty to be practically turned ovcf
10 the management Of these cuuI'mts
! sIoncrs and it will require men with
not only honesty bit sufficient push,
cucrgy and executive ability to make
tho business Of the city Il prosperous
business. One that will pay the pub
lie diyiGem0s, noS in dollars aud cents
but in good service and in permanent
[mnrovemeutS that will show where
| the peoples money has gone after 1t
is collected and expended.