The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-04-04
SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 1881
Pat Casey And The Italian Barber

In discussing the city manager form of government several of the speakers at the Mat tatuek Hall meeting the other evening failed to take into consideration that Waterbury has most cosmopolitan population. And hence if Pat Casey from Brooklyn" and the 'Ital- ian barber from the South End show an inclination to run for public office in Wa terbury there is no earthly reason why they shouldn't provide their qualifications pass muster. We can't say that we agree with Mir Dow's statement that Waterbury officials to- day are elected on their popularity and not on their ability. Or rather should we say that the two go hand in hand.
 If man has attained some popularity in his home town 1t must be because he has ability along certain lines. And whether it be as an athlete or as barber 1t reflects a certain amount of application upon his part. There is nobody who can say that this same ability to secure popularity can't be applied to other lines of endeavor We are probably putting the case rather poorly. but in this
 
 to feel himself qualified for public office if he so desires. Those of us who know our own shortcomings shun public office. Perhaps many with the same shortcomings strive for it. But certainly we are all born free and equal.
 If the city manager form of government is to prevent the coming generations of young people of this city from exercising certain inslienable privileges then we want none of it. We want no high salaried expert coming here from Stamford or New London in search of better job. And that's what city managers do. according to what we heard at the meeting Wednesday night. Mir Harris said that, City managers are professional men. They think highly of their work. These fellows don't stay in one place. They move from city to city. They are always looking for something better and. therefore would not risk their reputations by doing poor work. ..."
 .. That part about moving from city to city lets Mayor Hayes out as city manager A week ago city manager advocates were endors- ing the mayor very highly and claiming that they would like to see him installed as city manager. However, that speech evidently just fitted the occasion. What the city actually wants is earpet-bagger to make our laws, to appropriate our money, and to spend it for us. while he gets his Sl l,000-a-month salary check. If Mayor Hayes has given such fine admin istration. as all city manager advocates relig- jously claim. why not elect him for four years instead of two. Then there need be no worry about what will happen after Hayes gets out.
 Nor will we have to worry about the twenty-two department heads that the city manager will name = just few more high salaried professional men. To our way of thinking Waterbury is far better off today than it ever will be under the city manager and council form of government. We don't be- lieve that if city manager were to sit down at Mayor Hayes desk Monday morning he could carry on our city government any more efficiently than the present executive And we're inclined to believe that taxes wouldn't drop any quicker than they will under Mayor Hayes. However. that's for the people to decide.