Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-05
NO. PUBLIC SERVICE
THERE is nothing particularly picture

THERE Is nothing particularly picturesque
L about an honest official. He goes about
his work quietly, almost forlornly, for there
are no 'chowders" or outings" to illuminate
his public service no tin soldiers or
"place-holders' to make noisy demonstra-
tions on mis- goings and comings. He is
often severe to people who much of his
time in frantic efforts to procure special
favors. They go from his presence with
empty hands, vowing vengeance.
Influences, deep-seated and powerful, fol-
low him into the privacy Of his home. Popu-
larity often is the price of q weak con-
science Reform first hands back what was
wrongfully taken, and then codly refuses to
give wrongfully. Oliver Cromwell in life
cast gloomy shadow, and he died un-
mourned, yet he left behind a better and
greater England Before certain members OF
the Blankenburg Administration were in
office 30 days they had an enemy for each
finger and toe.
Mayor Bankenburg lost whole section
of his prediction support when he refused
to put man at the head of the police
department who was willing to obey the die
tates Of the ambitious leader of a new
political party. Included in this early de-
fection was great newspaper that for more
than decade had championed reform. The
Mayor will probably tell the whole story to
any good citizen who asks for it. It is we'll
worth listening to.
Before the present campaign of widespread
lying began against the Blankenburg Admin
istration, there was the usual scramble for
offices The standard method for the Mayor
would have been to compromise with the op-
position and ConCiliate the men behind Coun-
ellis by dividing up the city jobs, as did those
good business Mayors of the Quay days,
Messrs, Filter and Stuart. Or he could have
struck palms with some individual politician,
either of the disgrunted majority stripe
or of the unsatisfied minority pattern. A
choice variety of courses to pursue was Of
fered by the public careers of Mayors War
wick and Ashbridge, Weaver and Reyburn
Instead the Mayor selected only men of
the highest efficiency, without regard to their
political affiliations. why rehearse all this
now, when the municipal campaign is next
year?' some one may remark, with that fine
American disregard of everything except
the practical side, Because politics has moth
Ing whatever to do with this account of a
public stewardship.
Under our vaunted city charter the
esteemed Bullitt law, even if a man shows
himself 10 be a good Mayor, he cannot sue |
2eed himself. He must quit at the close Of a |
single term. All that Phadelphia-in size
he third city OF the United States, and the |
ninth in the world-can get out of its Mayors |
S service for the four years they are elected |
o Office. If a bad Mayor drops into CITY Hall |
We must grin and bear him; II a good Mayor |
W accident comes along we must tameIv sit
~ and watch a subservient Councils stab
lin in the back, and when his term as well
IS his hopes, have finally expired let the men
Who pulled the wires Of Councils select his
uccessor in the name of a great political
arty.
With a fun year Of guaranteed public serv-
&c ahead, now is the time to talk about
layor Blankenburg and his acts, and Coun-
ills and its acts, The first represents a
ast service 10 the taxpayers, while the sec
nd is the present bold carrying out of the
rders of a corrupt political machine. Why
aimee words? Truth can only sting the
'rongdoer.
OF course, the Blankenburg Administration
as made mistakes They are admitted But
he service has been honest, II has been sim
ere, and it has been fairly effective. up to
he very doors of the Counclg Vienna, pos
assins Or, Karl Lueger as Mayor-a for
Inate man who lived to see his glad dream
civic betterment come true-cOuld boast OF
o better champion of the right than Phila-
elphia has in Mayor Blankenburg Even
he eye of the Mayors worst dctractors says:
He is Industrious has a dignifed stately
ppearance, can laugh, and be stitf Some
hat dangerous, but a good clean man"
Mayor Blankenburg is neither rigid Cato
or a stone Roland, He can speak well in
uFy halls. For years he faced the smoke