The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1914-05-01

(But. 1t shonld be remarked in passing.
those new advantages would be prac-
tically impossible of achievement with
out the rest. Added to them they be-
come Irresistible,
City manager government involves
the short ballot-the only possible
method by which the people a select
their representatives in the govern
ment in~telligently and efficiently. No
man, humanity speaking. can 60 to the
polls ON election day and vote, with any
reasonable approach to intelligence for
the candidates for a dozen or a score
Of Offices. large and small. important
and obscure. Experience has shown
c%onclusively that the average voter
will make an intelligent choice-if he
makes one at all and does not swallow
the ticket headed by his party emblem
whole-for only the one or two names
at the head of the ticket, and bolt the
rest (using the word in its gastronomic
rather than its political sense).
In some states. like New Jersey. we
have the short ballot in state affairs.
But in many cities the unfortunate
voter still has to do his share in filing
such offices as assessor. justice of the
peace. coroner, district attorney, alder
man, sheriff and. n is almost tempt
ed to add. pound keeper or hog reeve.
The long ballot is the stronghold Of
the boss. and his ally and master, the
special interest" The short ballot
is the bulwark of democracy.
The city. manager plan involves non
partisan government. We have yet to
find a way to dispense with party gov
eminent in national and. indeed, in
state affairs. Probably the advantages
Of party government in these large
units largely outweigh their disadvan-
tages. But when we come to divide
on party lines-national party lines,
that is-in municipal affairs. the result
is as absurd as it is deplorable. The
non-partisan principle which the city
manager plan in common with city
government introduces into municipal
elections is essential to effective mu-
nicipal government.
The city manager plan. like the COM
mission plan, involves the uni6cation
| of powers. THE unification Of pow
| ers." says the leading authority on the
subject, sis essential in order to aviod
confusion of responsibility. There
| should be no other elected officers in
| the city government. Every power of
the city should be possessed by the
council. This makes it impossible for
| the council to lay the blame on any
other officer If things 60 wrong. II
there is no n who q hinder the
| council in its work the council Is rob-
bed Of every possible excuse and is
| obliged to face the music In times Of
public criticism"
The city manager plan. then. has the
advantages common to the commission
plan. that It shortens the ballot and
so makes intelligent voting possible;
that it eliminates from the municipal
elections the disturbing and befogging
factor Of national partisanship, and
that it uni6es the powers and concen-
trates the responsibility.
The city manager plan also has ad-
vantages peculiar to itself.
1t delegates expert work to an ex.
pert. -
It relieves the administrative officer
from, the necessity Of doing anything
but administering the affairs Of the
city. he has nc need to play politics.
to keep his ear to the ground" His
| opinions are no longer important. for
it is the opinions of. the commission
which count His job is to carry out
policies. not frame them.
It has been an axiom Of municipal
government-among those whose de-
sire is primarily for efficient govern
ment rather than for personally profit
able government-that the c%oncentra-
ton of power and responsibility is the
| surest way to efficiency. But It ia con-
tended with considerable force. on the
other hand, that the concentration Of
power in the hands Of a single man.
uncontrolled. is dangerous.
The city manager plan secures the
| advantages Of concentration Of power
without incdfring it's dangers. It gives
the stability Of the combined Judgment
ofsmany menaon matters Of policy. but
| leaves execution to a single headed
controlled executive establishment.
In the city manager plan lies the
best solution which we have yet dis
covered for our vexed problem Of mu-
nicipal government. It Is logical; It
works to perfection In Germany; It is
directed precisely at some OF the most
fragrant evils prevalent In the admin
istration Of our cities; 1t il eminently
sensible. And the professional politi-
| clans do not like II.
But how is 1t suited to the govern
ment Of suburban owns and cities?
Most particularly well. One great diff
| aculty which the suburban community
has to meet 10 that Of finding men OF
the right caliber who can devote
enough time and energy to the service
| Of the community. But 1t would be
easy to find men Of high ideals and
ample ability who could give all the
time and energy necessary to deter.
mine the policies of the administration.
provided the actual Administrative
| work were done by An expert who was