The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-04-07

principle check which has been built up to prevent a monopoly of any government. That checl. Is the party system whereby, enc party Is a check on the other. The party in power knows it. They are more cautious of how they conduct affairs for they realize that a sharp vigilance is be- ing kept to catch them if they falter in their duty.
 We have touched on some of the features of the plan that may ham per the council in performing It's duty as it Is supposed to. Next let us consider the manager.
 ''As said before he has charge of the departments in the government the public safety, including the po- lice and fire departments, the public wards, the finance and health and welfare departments. He appoints the directors, officers and employees of these departments.
 ''In view of the authority which he can exercise Is 1t not obvious that control of his office might be a source of opportunity for the few seeking special privilege? Should the council fall into the hands of q clique seeking personal gain is 1t not possi- ble that they can hire a city man. ager who will do their bidding?
 "He may be picked from any dis tant part of the country. He comes to your city as a transient. he may be unknown to you and your needs may be equally unknown to him. He may have no other interest in your town or its welfare than his own personal gain.
 Because he is stranger who t,, iorht (u< t<, IrN may depart in the same way when his departure is convenient for those who bring him here, can he not do for the clique what they would not themselves have their fellow citizens believe they would do?
 We hear high sounding speeches of praise about the profession of the city manager, and much printers ink has been used to advance the man. ager and mode of employment (and allow me to say here that not all the reading matter on the fine points of the system can be given very serious consideration as 1t is mostly prop aganda to advance the theory for commercial reasons) no, doubt some Of the praise may be deserved but the system invites the appointment of a political hireling because there is no safeguard against such thing taking place.
 Because of lack of contact with and ability to elect the officers who conduct the government. with the exception of the council, the people are apt to loose interest in affairs and when the people loose interest then sad things may happen, because the force of public opinion Is the strongest weapon against bad gov ernment. The councilmanic election may be uncontested on account of the difficulties of conducting cam- paigns without organizations
 "The city manager government Is So centralized that 1t may make q perfect system to invite monopoly by a small clique who can conduct af- fairs from behind the scenes for their own personal gain.
 "To my mind the city manager plan belongs in the category of noble experiments. But experience teaches us that noble experiments may be costly things to play with and may not accomplish the purpose for which they are intended. Instead of abolishing abuses they may create new and worse abuses.
 "A municipality cannot afford to launch onto any schemes at this par ticular time that may make condi- tions worse instead of better. With lower wages staring people in the