South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-11-17
LET CoUNCIINrEN sERNE-

LET COUNCILMEN SERVE.
The question has recently beer ask
ed in local official circles. TO whom
should citizen 90 with a complaint"
And there seems 10 be "A truly non
partisan difference of opinion ina coun-
cilmanic circles at least
Il was due 20 citizens going % their
ward Representatives in the council
that the question came up, and the
particular question being one of exec
utive efflciency-or the lack Of it,
brought on the debate. Some Of the
councilmen were OF the opinion that
the complaint should 90 direct 10 the
executive. or the department in
charge Of the particular work. Others
were OF the opinion that il is the duty
of councilman 10 represent his con-
stituents before tl,e executive branches
OF the city government as well as in
the council.
Very well. then" said a member
of the body "go 10 the executive
branch Of the government with your
complaint. That is different than
bringing 1t here and trying 10 lumber
this council up with complaints and
directions against the city administers
ton, telling IL what 10 do, and what
no. TO do. We are the law-making
body Of the city, and the law once on
the ordinance books it is up to the
executive branch of the government 10
do the work OF enforcing it,"
Dealing more particularly with the
surface indications, this answer too,
has considerable of the right ring TO
il. But it applies, we are afraid. for
a while yet. more 10 things as they
should be, than as they are. IN most
cities. when people have a complaint
against the city government, they can
go 10 the devil' with it, and South
Bend isn't entirely removed from that
category. Unless the council gives
the administration little shaking up
now and then, calling attention TO its
delinquencies. il more than occasion
ally becomes obdurate and autocratic
in its tendencies TO let the complain
ing public be hanged"
In an administration where, as fire.
pleXion of a citizen. or even as
councilman, has SO much of influence,
or the lack of it, in appearing before
AN executive department for redress.
resort to the council as a body and the
publicity that il occasionally affords
is about all the consolation the public
.,ic.,tiie.-. OF an Oit-pOlitcal COM
pieXion can get. There are times
when this publicity is more powerful
than court mandate, and it is inf
nitely easier and less expensive i'm the
getting. The old fashioned method of
ghreshing these complaints out in the
council. and of sending some note OF
warning TO the executive branch Of
the ernment-especially after di-
rect appeal has been made and failed
Of considerations by no means
without its merits.
II is not an uncommon thing i'm the
affairs of state OF even i'm the affairs
OF the nation. We hear of legislative
Investigations, and congressional in
designations. and Investigations and
Investigations, and we also occasion
furnished governors and presidents.
Ward representation in the city coun-
ell is for the same purpose as county
or district representation is in a state
assembly, or district or state repre-
sentaton in the national congress-to
look out for q sectional constituency.
IL is all right to talk about representa-
ton at large. but il has never yet
proven its efficiency. II would be a
sorry day for some sections of south
Bend 10 have lacked the ward system
of representation. at least To an extent.
IN the present city government. 1t
would be too easy 10 punish these sec
tons Of the city that voted at the cleo
ton. contrary TO the administrative
color
We are not saying this in particular
criticism OF the administration either.
II IS mere picture OF human nature
IN its political garb. II will be a long
while before better system OF
weights and balances can be installed
IN the Affairs OF government. than is
furnished by sectional representation.
and il will be a still longer while be-
fore we can afford 10 dispense with
congresses, legislatures and city cour
ellis as forums OF the people through
which 10 hold executives in check. or
30 urge them 20 move. The millerial
dawn is yet 10 come.
PROGRESSINISN AN n4.Ntn..