Aberdeen’s Reform Council Accused of Cronyism

Among the intelligent and thinking people of Aberdeen has long existed a suspicion that the affairs of the city were not being administered in an honest manner. Last month a city election was held under cries of 'Reform!' and 'Down with the ring!'. The result was the birth of the present council. Eagerly have the people looked for evidences of that reform; but alas, within the short life of the present council have appeared more direct and painful evidences of jobbery than have been shown in any previous administration. One of the most important duties vested in the council is that of appointing men to subordinate offices. Did the council carry out a plan of merit? Or did each member show that qualifications were made subservient to personal ends? Loud and long comes the response, and it is not favorable to those in whom the people placed their confidence. Trades were made, almost without attempt at concealment, so that certain pets and retainers of these officials might be elected to places of emolument and ease. Perhaps the most flagrant instance exists in the case of the city clerk. The gentleman who was ousted had been secretary of the board of trade and had filled both positions with marked ability. He had been among us for years, and the town is better for his having lived in it. Despite these facts, and in order that a protege of one member of the council might receive an easy and remunerative position in the street and water system, for which he is in no way fitted, Mr. Mack was unmercifully traded off and in his place was elected a man who is hardly qualified by length of residence to vote.