Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1955-01-06

montgomery SOuIlly OCillAAlCA'
At the November public hear
ing held by the Commission for
the Comprehensive Study of the
Laws Governing the Washington
Suburban Sanitary Commission,
the Commissioners appeared to
receive favorably the suggestion
that the Washington Suburban
Sanitary Commission be appoint
ed by the governing bodies of
Prince Georges and Montgomery
counties, plus one appointee by
the Governor. Representatives of
various civic organizations re-
commended a commission of
three members.
Several members of the Cover
nor's special Commission, how
ever, suggested a Sanitary Com
mission of more than three, to
be selected on a bipartisan basis
to avoid the old situation of all
the members representing the
political party in power.
1t seems to the writer that in
PERFECTION of bi-partisanship
would undo most of what has
been done during the last two
years toward having a Sanitary
Commission composed of capable
men responsive to public needs.
1 venture to say that bipartisan
ship is merely form or parti-
SanShip.
Once political affiliation be-
comes factor in the selection of
a public officer, it all too often
becomes a governing factor. The
first thought is not, els he a good
man for the job?", but, "is he a
Republican or Democrat?" 9th
er considerations include, els he
political faithful lame-duck to
whom plum should be given?"
Nice questions arise as to wheth-
er the appointment should be
made from Eisenhower Republi-
cans or Mccarthy Republicans;
from Wernerite Democrats, or
Lee (Senior) Democrats; and in
the course of time consideration
of whether one is the best man
for the job becomes subordinated
Instead of-as in the past-hav-
ing, successfully, as a member
of the Sanitary Commission the
Chairman of the local Democra-
tic party and the Chairman of
the local Republican party, both
of whom served with a marked
lack of distinction, we might find
ourselves with Sanitary Com
mission upon which were both
Chairmen of the respective par
ties.
Suppose there are five Com
missioners-the county officials
select four 1.-TWO Republicans and
two, Democrats). Under a bi-par-
tisan system, it is almost inev-
liable that the Governor will ap-
point member of his own party,
and the present Governors poll
teal appointments have not been
noteworthy.
The functions of the Sanitary
Commission are not political. I
don't believe there is a Republi-
can way of laying a sewer or a
Democratic way of assessing
front foot benefits. But biparti-
sanship can make people think
there is a Republican or Demo
cratic way.
In the writer's opinion it would
be much better to have no men,
ton of bi-partisanship in the re-
medal statute but have as part
of the history of that statute a
firm recommendation by the Gov
ernor's Commission against both
partisanship and bi-partisanship
in the selection of members of
the Sanitary Commission.
We are now still on the crest
of reform movement. 1t is very
likely that the initial selection of
Commissioners will be on the
basis of competence and public
mindedness. And the president
thus set will aid in ensuring a
similar basis of selection in the
future.
The initial law creating the
Sanitary Commission provided
for their selection by local au-
thorities upon the recommends
ton of the State Board of Health.
The County authorities might