The Pensacola journal., 1920-03-19
TAMPA AND CIVIC GOVERNMENT.

The entire state has been watching with interest
the fight waged in Tampa between the faction for
aldermanic rule stfll existing in that city. and
those who believe that commission government
means better administration of civic affairs.
Special Importance attaches to the victory of the
commission advocates in as-much the present
mayor of Tampa who is also the editor Of the
Tampa Times, having at first vigorously opposed
the change has announced his convictions that the
great majority of the people OF Tampa want to
adopt the commission form, and abolish the old,
antiquated aldermanic form.
The St Augustine Record. in commenting on the
change says:
Mayor Mckay when he is not engaged in looking
looking after the affairs of Tampa Times of the
most influential of the evening publications in South
Florida. He has been central figure in municipal
affairs in Tampa for a number of years, and now in
his newspaper of Thursday, March H. he makes the
announcement that he is convinced by public senti-
ment that his city deserves charter change. After
ten years of faithful and aborious service he says
he has had enough and is willing to step down
and out Incidentally however. he emphasizes the
fact that after all, matter how good any form
Of government may be in theory, it all depends on
the character and ability Of the who chosen
to administer the government. Mayor Mckay is
right in this view, except that the commission
manager form is aid to good government and
wise administration.
FOR long time the morning newspaper In
in Tampa. Col Wallace StovaIrs Tribune, has been
la staunch advocate Of the commission management
government for Tampa The Tribune has carried
an educational campaign that has been convincing
and decisive This campaign has consisted largely
of the publication of the experiences OF cities that
have adopted the newest thing in municipal man.
agement. The Tribune therefore will be credited
with bringing about his change of sentiment and
it will deserve all the good things that may be said
about its progressive ideas and its great Influence
in the community. But beyond all this and in
higher plane is its generous editorial declaration
published the day following. Mayor McKays an
inouncement that the Mayor should be member
Of the new city commission when it is organized
This would indeed be fitting recognition of Mayor
McKay's unselfish services on behalf of the great
city of Tampa 1t also means that both newspapers
would be united in advocating what is best for
Tampa and her splendid people"
But change of the form of government will mean
little Tampa or any other city, unless the who
administer the laws men of the right calibre.
and unless the charter is the right kind of char
| ter. The Tampa Tribune. in expressing its con-
vction of this, says:
There is thing of paramount Importance in
the movement That is to see that the right kind
of charter is chosen. The other important thing
is to see that the proper are chosen. Choosing
the charter the selection of the proper
shout carrion or grain they are stomached, SO
will the evil-minded ring-rue kind of politician
swarm to a rotten" charter and the high minded
clean ones gather about the sort that is heathful
and pleasant.
| 1T makes little difference. after ALL the person.
mel of the charter board if it be comprised of men
| sufficiently Drained to evolve from out the mass
Of charter forms available the one that Tampa
needs The people will, undoubtedly. take care of
the charter after it is made public, and the fact
that they know about what is needed and about
what is needed, and about what they want, and are
able to recognize any counterfeit presentment of a
real thing, the safety of the city in the mat
ter of charter election.
Tampa business men started a movement which
is now become great enough to gather into its arms
the leading opposed factions. Tampa business men
have smarted under excessive costs for doing busi
ness, until they have declared for independence
The movement today in this city means that anti
quated ideas such 1T costs to run a government
and why should kick at any amount?' have been
Irelegated to the back ground with the man who
ran his personal business slipshod plans of hit
and miss, get what you want, and damn the ex-
pense'
The commission form of government Is needed
here that the tax dollar seeking to enter lesiti
mate business, viii cease to be tribute instead of
lawful levy to help operate the protective govern
ment under which that dollar seeks to become pros
porous.
uood men on the charter board q good plain
charer' giving the simplest form of commission gov
ernment and then the hearty cooperation Of all in
Tampa, to make this city forge to the front with
speed that viii be exhilirating and profitable"