Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 9.djvu/691

 A MODEL MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENT 667

least the choosing of those who have sufficient mental ability. Then, too, in the promotion of employees who have already shown a certain grade of intellectual power, why should not the employer be free to pick out those whose character and experi- ence, rather than mere brains, will be of the most benefit to the city ? For, after all, can there be any test of a person's honesty and executive ability so sure as the test of actual experience in office ?

III. A MESSAGE OF HOPE FOR MUNICIPAL REFORMS.

Laying aside all further considerations of organization and method, what now are some of the chief lessons to be learned from Dr. Lederle's successful management of New York's Department of Health ? What is the message of hope which this feature of Mayor Low's administration brings to the hearts of municipal reformers the country over? For, after all, these are far more important questions to answer than those regarding the details of sanitary science. Without doubt the citizens of New York have during the past eighteen months reaped the benefits of one of the very best administrations, if not the best, of their health laws which they have ever known. That much at least we hope this paper has clearly shown. But unless the majority of these citizens appreciate, or can be made to appreciate, what has already been done for them, we can expect little real progress in municipal reform. It is of the very highest importance, then, to the cause of good government throughout the land to point out, not alone the good work which Mayor Low has accomplished through his Department of Health, but also the reasons for his success. For only thus, by a campaign of gradual education, can we hope to raise the masses of our city population to the point where they can understand why it is better to vote for honest, intelligent officials, rather than for dishonest, ignorant, and selfish ones.

Now, the foremost lesson to be learned from New York's recent experience is that, after all, training and education, com- bined with rugged honesty, fearless courage, and an unselfish love of service, are bound to count. In the end, the men who possess these qualities are sure to forge ahead of those who have