The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1915-02-12
Mr.. HERR FAVORS THE SALARIES
FIXED FOR COMMISSIONERS.

'A''S' -
Mr.. Editor:
| have noted with a good deal of interest all that
has been said in our local papers relative to the
proposed salaries of our City Commissioners.
This, like all other public questions and business
matters--and it is both--should not only be dis
cussed fairly and impartially. but fully. No court.
however inclined to business it may be, can render
a fair and impartial verdict without hearing both
sides of the case. While all that has been said
seems to have been uttered in IA spirit of fairness
and conservatism. only one side has been pre-
scented. To the writer's mind, there are two sides
to this. as to all other questions. and the public is
Interested in both.
The points specially emphasized SO far, are:
That Clarksdale has three Commissioners at a
salary of 5000 per annum. and a Police Justice at
a salary of Sl20O--$5OO less than is proposed for
Greenwood.
That one of our most prominent citizens said 80
men could be found who would be willing to serve
our city free. as Commissioners.
That the proposed salary of the Mayor-Conmis-
sioner is out Of all reason--unless he does the
work of all three commissioners.
Greenwood is not privileged to adopt Clarks-
dale'S plan. if it felt disposed to. The two com
missions were not created and do not operate
under the same law.
Clarksdale also has a little over one-half, pos
sibIy two-thirds the population of Greenwood,
and based op this standard. and the ratio Of the
taxes each taxpayer will have to contribute, the
comparison will be found largely in Greenwood's
favor.
1t is true that one of our most prominent and
Influential citizens did make the assertion that
80 or more of our best citizens could be found who
would serve free, as commissioners, but it is also
true that when he and a couple other of our most
substantial citizens and business men were ten
dered the places, they declined.
The facts are that at the tine this citizen made
this remark. it was the general impression and
understanding that our law was similar to the
one under which Clarksdale operates, and that
the commissioners could delegate such of their
powers as they desired. to others, in other words,
that they could employ an expert to take over the
management Of the city, their duties consisting
principally in seeing that a thoroughly competent
person was employed. and that he thoroughly
} performed his duties.
When, as a matter of fact, It was discovered
that our law specifically required that these COM
mIssioners must give 50 much of their personal
time daily. to the city's affairs, and the mayor
practically all of his time. these men not only de-
cltned to serve free. but at all. Their business
and professional affairs were of such a character
and extent that they could not afford to do 50.
Now. if there were any competent. desirable
men who were in a position financially, and other
wise, to have given their time to the city, free of
| charge, either from a sense of duty, or what honor
and glory attached thpy had tho onnn,t,,;.,, -
announce, and doubtless their services would
have been accepted. This they failed to do, and
the city has no means of compelling them to do SO.
Its only alternative. inasmuch as the whole fight
for commission form of government was waged
for the purpose of giving Greenwood a Business
Administration by Business Men," is to fix such
salaries as will command business experience.
ability and application.
If we are really and honestly after a competent
business administration, let US make it a cold
: bIooded business proposition in which the city de-
nrands the best possible, not the cheapest. Prac-
teal. profitable. progressive results, not parsi.
= moniousness.
Greenwood is genuinely too great a town to
y make cheapness a paramoun issue in its most
{ vital affairs.
N 49, w hhN Interested IN is not
l whether these salaries are too high. but whether
they are going to prove a good Investment.
The present Observation-Disclosures has been
elected with the understanding that he Ia to give
his entire time to the city and its interests. He
brings with him, in addition to his business ex-
" perlence and knowledge Of the law. that gained
Y by four years service as mayor of Greenwood dur.
ing the most progressive and enterprising part of
its history.
} If. thus equipped. ignoring his likes and dislkes
he does what he can and ought to do for this citv
his proposed salary will prove one Of the best in.
vesttnents it ever made, and 80 will that of tho
other commissioners
y 1t has been pointed out that the PROPOSED salary
Of the mayor is $500 greater than during his nrs.
, vous terms! -"
l Nothing is said of the fact that while acting No
4 mayor under the old system of government, he al.
so commanded double that salary in a positior
: from which he is now barred, his entire time bejng
t required by the city. Nor is any mention made Of
the fact that Salaries as a whole, have been de.
creased $3.50 per annum by the new board, instead
0 OF increasing them. and a reduction of s2l0,25 in
the expense of working the streets during January
this year, as compared with January last year.
1t is unfortunate that anyone should have as,
sailed the police force or management Of Green.
e wood.
1t has the smallest force and the most efficient
one of any town in the country, Law and orde,
u Is not better enforced anywhere than In the cit,
o Of Greenwood.
Men can be found who will serve on the polio.
force for $40 a month. possibly for s25. Also, Al
clerks in cotton offices. banks. &c. The result
would be about the same in both instances. a saw
ing at the spigot and u loss at the bung, genera
!, Generalization.
- If -four is worth So a barrel, as one writer put
It, and We are going to ask our city employees AM
officials to sell it to us, or its equivalent. in services
let US pay them 50 for It, not ask them to tax,
d $3.50. But let us insist on full weight and first
class grade. -m
"a There are times and occasions. no matter wha
our action, when all of us are more or iese ''damne
If II we do and damned if we don't" but let US care
fully avoid this spirit. as nearly as possible, il
+, trying our new city government.
Let us give tia free, fair, unrestricted trial
q with our heartiest cooperation, not as a matte
of friendship, psrtisanship or charity. but ~strictl,
in the interests of our city, and of fairness,
Meantime, let the city fathers remember tina
to escape criticism 1t is necessary to say nothing
do nothing, be nothing" If they follow such
Fs0srssa any salary viii bstoe higA !, HER,