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Editorial
January 29, 1917
The Daily Commonwealth
Greenwood, Leflore County, Mississippi
What is this article about?
Editorial advocates combining city and county governments to eliminate duplicate offices and cut expenses, allowing more funds for public improvements. Cites Mayor Campbell's proposal in Houston and examples from St. Louis, New York, and London. Criticizes U.S. system's proliferation of offices raising costs.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
COMBINING CITY AND COUNTY
By Cutting Expenses There Would Be More Money to Spend on Public Improvements.
Mayor Campbell, of Houston has started a discussion of a proposal to combine city and county governments, and eliminate one set of officers. The writer advocated that several years ago, but plans to reduce the expense of government were not then as much in favor as plans to increase it.
There is no sound reason why a commissioners' court and a city commission should both be required for legislative service, nor is there any apparent need for the double service of a city and a county police force. Many other duplications could be suggested equally wasteful.
The city and county, of St. Louis are identical. New York and London are under the same single system of government. So it cannot be urged that the plan will not fit a city.
The truth is that the American system seems to be based on a demand that provision shall be made for every man to hold an office who wants one. It has multiplied offices to a degree unknown in any other country, and has, as a result, driven the cost of government to a figure which exceeds that of any other country in the world, if the military branch is excluded from the comparison.—Waco (Tex) News.
By Cutting Expenses There Would Be More Money to Spend on Public Improvements.
Mayor Campbell, of Houston has started a discussion of a proposal to combine city and county governments, and eliminate one set of officers. The writer advocated that several years ago, but plans to reduce the expense of government were not then as much in favor as plans to increase it.
There is no sound reason why a commissioners' court and a city commission should both be required for legislative service, nor is there any apparent need for the double service of a city and a county police force. Many other duplications could be suggested equally wasteful.
The city and county, of St. Louis are identical. New York and London are under the same single system of government. So it cannot be urged that the plan will not fit a city.
The truth is that the American system seems to be based on a demand that provision shall be made for every man to hold an office who wants one. It has multiplied offices to a degree unknown in any other country, and has, as a result, driven the cost of government to a figure which exceeds that of any other country in the world, if the military branch is excluded from the comparison.—Waco (Tex) News.
What sub-type of article is it?
Economic Policy
What keywords are associated?
Government Consolidation
Reducing Expenses
Public Improvements
Administrative Duplication
City County Merger
What entities or persons were involved?
Mayor Campbell
Houston
St. Louis
New York
London
Waco (Tex) News
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Combining City And County Governments To Reduce Expenses
Stance / Tone
Advocacy For Government Efficiency And Cost Reduction
Key Figures
Mayor Campbell
Houston
St. Louis
New York
London
Waco (Tex) News
Key Arguments
No Sound Reason For Both Commissioners' Court And City Commission
No Need For Double City And County Police Force
Many Other Duplications Are Wasteful
City And County Of St. Louis Are Identical
New York And London Under Single System
American System Provides Offices For All Who Want Them
Multiplied Offices Drive Up Government Costs Beyond Other Countries