Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-07-24

60
COMMISSION GOVERNMENT

men OF high standing in the com
munity, men who have no axes to
grind or who are seeking any per.
sonal revenge; men Of different
party Affiliations, but who all want
to bring about an efficient and prac.
tical scheme of municipal govern.
ment rather than a partisan body
functioning under a city charter
years out of date under which Perth
Amboy is not keeping abreast with
the times, the start given the move
ment for adoption of commission
form of government here is SURE to
succeed.
The general makeup of the Com
mission Government Association as
formed at Thursday nights mass
meeting presages success. In former
Judge Adrian Lyon as president OF
the organization they have q leader
in civic advancement and welfare
work. He has an enviable record
as chairman of the Liberty and
Victory loan drives. He declares
that despite the fact that some re-
lations may be strained he believes
that benefits to the community
come first. His only reason for be-
ing willing to serve Is that he be-
lieves commission government is a
step in advance over the present
form.
The president Of the new asso-
citation knows the value of organ.-
ration in any campaign and he has
an eficient one in his co-workers in
the organization just named. The
next step in the campaign will be 10
get the necessary number of names
on the petitions already in circula-
ton and then start the educational
phase of the movement. With A
la-es number of workers this will
be easy.
The distressing conditions that
confronted the progress of the city
in 1917 when the commission gov
issue was voted upon, aud
which failed due only to the fact
h 8 the vote could not be gotten
out, a majority vote having been
recorded in favor of the change,
have multiplied since that time.
The city is still in the hands Of
politicians who as party men play
the game as it is played wherever
party obligations and patronage
come first. It Is not the fault of
the o~ficeholders for party politics
in a local community breed reaction
and delay progress. 1t is typical
under the present form of govern
ment ana no remedy can be devised
except under commission form. In
following out party lines as de-
manded by political leaders in the
yearly struggle for supremacy.
economy cannot be practiced. There
are too many hands out; too many
ward workers to be given jobs; too
many broken-down political fences
TO be mended. In other words local
issues, problems or reforms are not
gured out on the basis of how
much good it will do the city, but
how many votes it will influence at
the coming elections.
The people Of this city are real
izing that politiels Is proving too
costly. They are paying the bill
and have reason to believe they can
cut down their expenses. Many.
perhaps. have no grievances against
the men in charge OF local affairs.
but they do see a way for greater
eniciency. economy and advance
ment.
They know hi commission gov
ernment is not an experiment but
a system of government that has
been tried and o found wanting
O~nhceholders under the present
mag turn a deaf ear 20
The u~ndercurrent Of public opinion
tkat is becoming more pronounced.
They may oppose quietly or in a
concerted EFFORT to save the city for