MISGOVERNMENT OF GREAT . CITIES. 521 



who are organized for this purpose. I would be glad to know that 

 similar associations were formed in each of our great cities. Through 

 such organizations the results of the most careful study might be gen- 

 erally disseminated, and the public thoroughly aroused. I would be 

 glad to make some contribution to this general purpose, even if my 

 offering be of insignificant value. 



It is manifestly impracticable for me, in this paper, to treat of the 

 details of the subject. Permit me, however, to suggest a few general 

 principles which, it seems to me, must underlie any successful munici- 

 pal structure, whatever be its form. And first I would announce, not 

 at all as a new idea, but as one which can not be too often repeated, or 

 too thoroughly emphasized, that there must be a radical and a per- 

 petual divorce between partisan politics and the management of mit- 

 nicipal affairs. 



There is no natural connection between these interests. A mu- 

 nicipal corporation is purely a business institution. It has to do with 

 matters of sanitation, with sewers, pavements, docks, police, and pub- 

 lic buildings. It maintains parks, and to some extent regulates rail- 

 road and gas companies, and provides the city with a supply of water. 

 It collects and disburses the public revenue, establishes and maintains 

 a fire-brigade, lights and cleans the streets, regulates and inspects the 

 public markets. These and all other duties which are appropriately 

 devolved upon the corporation demand, for their successful and effi- 

 cient discharge, business tact and skill, honesty, and a fair share of 

 common sense. There is no legitimate duty which a municipal officer 

 will perform either better or worse because he is a Democrat, a Repub- 

 lican, or an Independent. There is no more reason for inquiring into 

 the political sentiments of a mayor or any subordinate municipal officer 

 than there is for asking as to the political preferences of a bank presi- 

 dent, a railway president, or the members of the board of directors of 

 either of such corporations. 



The city government has no political functions. It can not deter- 

 mine any question of finance, or tariff, or domestic or foreign policy. 

 It is merely a business agency for managing those specific affairs which 

 have been placed in its care, and it will be most successful and efficient 

 when it is administered by officers who are selected on account of their 

 special adaptation to the work which they are expected to perform. 



In our country, political party preferences are frequently so strong 

 as to control votes in favor of a candidate notoriously unfit for the 

 position for which he has been named. The voter feels that he owes 

 his fealty to his party irrespective of the merits or demerits of that 

 party's candidates, and this sentiment of the voter is utilized by the 

 office-seekers to secure a support which they could not otherwise obtain. 



Not unfrequently the canvass which precedes a municipal election 

 is simply an appeal to political preferences and party associations. The 

 real issue, to wit, the honesty and capacity of the several candidates 



