The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-04-14
COMMISSION GOVERNMENT


The Times-Union has summed up |
the arguments for and against COM |
mission government in very impair
tial and reasonable manner. The
Star takes pleasure in reproducing
most of the article, as It is a direct
of the arguments the
Star has advanced several times in
the last two years:
1T must be admitted that the
form of government ap-
proaches more closely to a despotism
than anything else We have in the
United States. Two or three men
have a power that under our theory
Of government, should not be en-
trusted to such small number. A
form of government is
the one furthest removed from pop
ular control This we must admit
if we are honest.
1.-THE success of this form of gov
eminent is due to the concentration
of power-the exercise by few of
almost despotic powers. 1t is devils
ed for the purpose of keeping the
government out Of politics. The ex-
preston, out of politics has a very
catchy sound, while out of the
hands Of the masses of the people
has an ugly sound. But the two
forms or expression mean precisely
the same thing.
Commission forms of government
have been successful, because, under
them, three -four, five or more men
far above the average have been
clothed with great power, and have
been able to tell the people to keep
their hands off. They have been
successful, because under them in
te1ligence and character ruled
"A despotism is un-American, but
this fact does not prevent it from
being the best possible form of gov
eminent SO far as its direct achieve
ments are concerned. If a small
country had a king clothed with as
complete powers as Oriental despot
ever enjoyed, and he were perfectly
good and perfectly wise, perfect JUS
|tice would be done always between
all men, and this is far from being
true when the people manage their
own affairs. With all this reign Of
| justice, however, the character of the
people would decline. A people that
are protected are enfeebled. A peo-
pie that protect themselves, even if
not always wisely, gain in strength.
But the trouble with despotism
is that the despot is not perfectly
wise or perfectly good BY close
approximation co these qualities he
| will give good government. But
some time or other it will be found
that the man clothed with despotit
powers is foolish or vicious, and I'M
der such circumstances a despotisn
is the worst possible form of govern
ment
After all, any form of govern
ment depends on the character o
the men placed in control, and tht
commission form has proved bene
fetal, because good men have beer
Iput in control. In many cases tn,
commission form has been adoptet
after a period of disagreement. I
has been adopted because condition
had become intolerabIe under an
q other form. Under such circum
stances the people are in a frame o
J mind that guarantees the election o
, only the best men in the community
1.-THE people are more apt to cleo
good commissioners than good off
Gals clothed with less power. The
, are apt to think anybody will do 70
{ a minor office, and to be careles
: whether they vote for fit or unf
: men. Then it is often true that
, man grows in character with tn
: power given him. All these unfit
=