The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1914-10-16
HOME RULE FOR THE
CITIES OF INDIANA
A Greatly Needed Reform That Can
Come Only Through Means OF
New Constitution.

The right and the wisdom OF cities
70 govern themselves. subject only
10 constitutional limitations, is now
one OF the generally accepted prin.
ciples Of municipal government. No
student of municipal administration
holds to any other opinion. No be.
lever in popular government will ad.
nit any other alternative.
Progress toward this great ideal OF
local self government has been rapid
during the past decade. Wherever
tried, no suggestion comes OF a return
to the old order. II may be regarded
ss a settled issue In municipal govern.
ment
Home rl'e fcr cities is inevitably
sspr'atad with h,'siness-like admin
isiratiOn If city affairs. Wherever
comm rf 9s have obtained the boon
OF en-o ~ e'tv government to any
substantial gree. IL has come
thronrn fls means. Wherever ad.
7 "a tive inefciency is most con.
spicu,us II is in the cities OF the
states which still deny to them the
right to govern themselves. In En-
ropean cities. where administrative
efficiency has reached its highest
point and where the civic conscience
IS best developed. we find the powers
os home rule bestowed in fullest
measure
Under conditions Of home rule the
character OF the administration of a
community rests with its own people.
Independent Of the Legislature. com.
plying only with the general limita.
tions of the state constitution, II NAV
proceed TO administer its affairs in
its own way and make its own civic
conditions, responsible only to its
own electors Under such a system
the following results are within the
reach and purpose OF the citizens:
To eliminate partisan politics
wholly from local government and ad
ministration.
To consider public questions on
their merits. without reference to
their relation to party interests.
To secure the services OF competent
public officials to direct affairs, and
retain them in Office.
To build up system Of trained
experts in the details Of administra-
ton, and protect them in their posi-
lions during their period of efficiency.
To make officials more responsive
to public opinion.
a.ro prevent the looting of the citys
richest resources through the careless
or criminal- bestowal Of public utility
To arouse live interest in public
affairs on the part OF the people and
develop community sense and respon-
Iibifty.
In eleven states OF the Union cities
have the right TO frame and adopt
heir own charters. Seventeen states
nave general laws which vest in the
,ities the option TO adopt "Commis-
lion Government" charters. Esven
states have granted special charters
or Commission or other improved
orus OF charters. In eight states the
I'D municipal forms prevail. No sd-
Tance whatever has been made. The
iues are creatures Of the Legislature
md subject continuously to state In
erference in the conduct of their
Ifairs.
Indiana is one Of these eight back
yard states, acd the only one oY the
tates OF the wet. or the middle west
.bove the Ohio river. with the single
reception OF Nevada
new constitution giving cities
he right TO frame their own char
ers and in other respects to admin
ster their municipal affairs. free
rom legislative meddlings and in &C
ordance with the spirit OF their peo-
lie. is the special need in Indiana
oday. Indeed, it is one OF the most
leading arguments for the calling OF
constitutional convention. Through
o other means Is II possible to Sc
ure continuous progress in munich
al achievement in our cities.