Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-11-07
WHY III RECOUNT?

William D. Voorhees,, Democratic candidate for alder
man at large, who was defeated by three votes by his Repub
lcan opponent, John N. Wester, proves himself to be a goo
loser. As far as he is concerned, he says, he will seek no re
count.
That means that any attempt to upset the returns as nov
recorded a. the city clerks office will be the work of politician
who want to get control of the city positions in order to re
ward the faithful by placing them on the city pay roll.
1t is a matter of politics pure and simple.
By the average taxpayer, both Wester and Voorhees, ar
looked upon as high class men. Either one would make a gool
city official. Fate has wiled it that Wester should be chosen
by a small majority, to be sure-but he stands elected. From
the average taxpayers point of view, what is TO be gained by
a recount?
The answer is simple.
The taxpayers are not considered at all in such a matter.
The terms of a number of city officials expire during the COM
ing year and these officials al present are Republicans. They
are all good men, to be sure, and are giving the taxpayers good
service. But they are Republicans.
Now, there are a few Democrats who would like very
much to annex themselves to the city pay roll. Under our
present system of government, when the political complexion
Of the governing body of the city changes the men in office
change with it. 1t makes no difference how efficient they are;
it counts for nothing that they are experienced men whereas
new men would have to start at the beginning to learn the bus
mess for themselves. The only thing that counts in the eyes
of the politicians is the fact that those holding the Office at
present are Republicans and the Democrats need the jobs.
The taxpayers?
They have nothing to do with it. Only the politicians are
interested in this matter.
And it makes no difference whether it is the Republicans
who are in and the Democrats out or vice versa. There is
always the same eagerness for city jobs on The part of a few
politicians of either party.
Now, in running a city government, it makes no differ
ence to the people as a whole whether the men in office wear
the label Republican or Democrat. All the taxpayers want is
T0d, economical government. AT present, however, municipal
Offices are merely the football of politics.
Under the commission form of government for munich
palities partisan politics is abolished. Candidates for commits
sioners run on their merits; their names are all placed on the
ballot without any designation as to what party they may be
affiliated with in national politics. .
One may be a good Republican and another may be good
Democrat, but in handling city affairs for the best interest of
the taxpayers there is no discrimination on that score on the
part of the voters.
Then, once the commissioners are elected, each man is
directly responsible to the people for the particular department
over which he presides. There is no hedging, ducking or pass
ing the buck. 1t is as near the ideal system as has yet been
devised for running q city except where a city manager is en-
ployed by the commissioners to be the active head.
Recount or no recount, Perth Amboy will have the oppor-
tunity Of voting on Commission Form of Government next year.
The mere talk Of a r recount to satisfy the desires of a few poll
ticians is only another reason for urging it: