Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-02-04

n
| such this would he, is the hest guar
| nntcc of honest and democratic govern
ment.
| DOR four years the city of Philadelphia was
i treated to a most extraordinary paradox
in municipal government. The Blankenburg
Administration was ostensibly and actually
n reform administration and no question Of
its honesty has been, or can be- raised. Yet,
in those four years the proceedings of the
most important single committee OF Coun-
cils, that of Finance, were held behind closed
doors. That was the custom, and the Admin
istration, being without influence in Councils
was poweress to change It,
on Monday and Wednesday of this week
the work Of the same committee, engaged
in the vital work of deciding where and
how the citys money should be spent we're
held in the open. The public was not only
admitted, it was invited, and since the chief
matter in hand, the choice Of n convention
hall site, was of universal interest, the meet
ing was well attended. 1t would be futile
to object that those who came were there
for their own interest The objection to the
star chamber is precisely that, in the dark,
personal interest can overcome public well
fare. In the open personal interest must
square with public sentiment or it is doomed.
If II comes to paradoxes this change is
greater one even than the preceding tradition.
BY all the signs Of the campaign the pres
ent Administration was bound and delivered
to the Organization, to special privilege and
to those hidden processes which have been
called invisible government. 1t would have
been the expected thing if the star chamber
method had been introduced under some
specious plea of public necessity" on the
other hand, if a reform rule had thrown
re tO hp lip he
have been acclaimed a victory for the
people. So much the more credit to the
present rulers. because they have done a
democratic and a desirable thing.
The justification of open sessions in Phila-
delphia is that there are no questions Of policy
which must he settled in secret, no matters
of such grave import that the city as
whole cannot take part in the deliberations
Councils is in danger of declaring war
against Camden, nor is it likely that a new
set of tariff rules between this city and
Darby will be instituted. Every citizen of
Philadelphia is directly affected by each act
of Councils, and every citizen is, If he is
sufficiently interested, capable of directing
Councils. In short, should the open system
of hearings be adopted complete, the city
would return to the one rssental feature of
the ancient town meeting.
The town meeting was a hardy an
nual in Pennsylvania but it's success in New
England was a guarantee of democratic
government throughout the country. 1t was
marked by pungent and homely debate and
decided the major destnies of a community
for a year. For Philadelphia, with a popu-
laton of nearly two millions, with Councils
in frequent session, only an approximation
of the town meeting can be expected, But
one feature of it, the one upon which its
success depended, can be developed in full
That feature is public interest. The spe-
cial instance of this week throws into re-
lief the fact that many other meetings have
been open to the public for years, and have
been much neglected Yet, except for the
routine committees and subcommittee,
every branch of Councils has it's interest for
the city, and every question decided should
bear the close and insstent scrutiny of every
man and woman who may be affected. This
week it was a question of money to be spent
and a great hall to be built. Next week there
may be a cut in the efficiency of the fire
department or a suggestion for an art
museum.
No one questions the ability the good
intentions of the elected representatives
of the people. No one makes any reserVa-
tions concerning the right of these repre-
sentatives to govern the city. But when
them in the business of governing, and open
their meetings TO the public eye, it would
be a misfortune, indeed, if indifference to the
citys progress should let the chance go by
default,