Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-14
Politics in City Government

@ o long municipal government in this
~ country is democratic institution,
founded on the consent and suffrage of the
governed, it will be impossible to divorce it
from politics. Being, in this sense, political
In its very essence, politics always WILL and
always should, control il. There are differ
ences. however. in the methods of control. as
we'll as in the results attained and it is to
these differences that advocates Of honesty
and eff ciency direct their efforts for reform
Fundamentally, the administration Of a
citys affairs closely resembles that Of the
business of great corporation In theory
the government Of the corporation is demo-
cratic also. It's directors are elected by the
votes Of the shareholders. The duty of the
directors is to carry on the business, either
personally or through chosen executives, in
such way that the physical property is con-
served, wise extensions made, the good will
of customers preserved and profit returned
The trouble with some corporate manage
ment, as with most municipal government,
is that the theory has been overlooked. In
practice the shareholders or citizens surren-
der control to coteriu OF insiders, who adj
minister affairs with more regard for their
own interest than for the common welfare.
All that any charter can hope to do for
Richmond-or for any other city--is to give
it the best chance of obtaining efficient ad-
minisration of it's affairs. There is small
chance under any charter. unless the people
as whole are interested in their government,
critical Of their governors and not too passive
and sheeplike in the role OF governed.
The quality of the government will always
depend, in the last analysis on the men who
are in charge of it and the motives that ami
mate them. 1t ought not to require argu-
ment therefore. that the best charter is that
which offers best opportunities to get the best
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close and personal interest to produce efficient
results.
In Dayton, where the commission manager
plan is winning general approval the com
mission consists Of five members. Their sal
aries, fixed at 1900 year. are made small
with intention. The commission elects the
city manager, who is paid $4,000 - year.
He is charged with sole and undivided respon-
sibility for the efficient administration of all
departments--and he enjoys a commensurate
authority.
y committee OF the Norfolk Chamber OF
Commerce, that visited Dayton and other
cities where modern charters are In force
thus describes the work of the manager:
The city manager only has the
power to administer the affairs of the
city as whole. He must do He
has no incentive to advance one depart
rncnt at the expense OF another. All
his departments, All must work in
unison. All must succeed. Being
sponshle for all departments. he is
Justly given 4 free hand in selecting
department heads He need not hurry
He may look the field for the best
possible man for each place File is in
position to select head of each de-
partmcnt a man specially fitted by train
ing and experience for the particular
task. Should his appointee prove a
misht he may summarily remove him.
He has every incentive to do So His
own tenure of Office depends upon it.
Assuming that the right man is found, this
means efficiency and economy. These are the
goals all city administrations should strive
for, hut that, under Anticipated charters, very
few OF them reach