The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1942-05-16
WAYNE
REFORM
COUNTY
BY FRED HART WILLIAMS

WE ARE NOT writing this in any
w attempt TO discuss the merits or
dement's of the Home Rule plea for
Wayne County and the old cry TO
Save the Taxpayers money that
has bee nagitating the public mind
for past months. Rather it Is our
desire TO point out that the record
for efficient management of Wayne
County governmental affairs over a
period OF years. is comparable with
that Of the operation Of our city
government. a comparison OF the
records Of our county officials
past and present. stands on par
with any OF city officials.
Years ago a similar agitation was
started by certain local newspa-
per for a change in city govern
ment asking the public 10 get
rid Of the old aldermanic system
This so-called reform brought TO
us our present ninc:man council.
Blu, with iis advent. many people
as well as some OF the local dailies
have seen that the primary reform
turn out not what il formerly
was cracked up 10 be. Only recent
~. We witnessed three OF our for
mer councilmen accused OF graft
and in two instances sentenced to
terms in prison.
We are not attempting to justify
any acts allegedly committed by
recently indicted county auditors.
some OF the indictments allegedly
pnerlle in concept and smacking
OF political practices, but we do hold
thar there is nothing in any OF the
alleged ac;s OF present or former
officials as reprehensible as we have
recently visioned. In fact. nothing
IN The past history of the county
management Is comparable 10 acts
OF similar nature as have occurred
IN former governing bodies OF our
city elective officers.
We are frank in stating that even
some Of those among county Off
cials who are alleredly endorsing
the move for county reform. So
called. are doing 90 for purely po-
iltical reasons and not that they |
arc sincerely behind the move 10
mayhap. out>ted them from their
present political offices.
Whether the colored voters will
be scared into voting for the al
legged reform in county government
feyisions remains 10 be seen. So |
many things have occurred within |
snd wiihou, cur county affairs |
that have directly affected their in
ieresis. namely the attempts being
made 90 smear some Of the Negro |
hospitals IN view % the fact that |
there arc some hospitals OF other
groups not immune 10 criticism.
that the Negro voter may look with /
askance upon any attempt 70 STAN
pede them into voting for some
thing which they know little about
and possibly care less.
Other matters Of eraver concern
have been recently acitatins our
voters minds and well-hcing. name
~, the Soiourner Truth housing
project. the disarming OF colored
Home Guards and the open evil
dcnccs Of discrimination IN certain
branches Of military and naval
units ard non-employment Of men
and women Of our group IN Defense
protects.
Some ~ those responsible for
much Of these acts OF unfairness
VIII have 10 answer for their devia.
lion from The path Of democratic
principles at the polls. Yes. there
are many thinee Of weighty impor-
lance TO be acted upon by the Ne
gro much more important than a
proposed change from an old order
which after all does not connote
any superlative reformation.